Toodyay Herald

The Cola Cafe is being offered for sale as a business for $285,000.

The building and land are also for sale for $495,000.

Buildings and land occupied by the Toodyay Auto Centre and adjoining Toodyay Garden and Outdoor Centre are on the market for a total $775,000.

The two businesses that lease the property are also for sale.

The garden centre is on the market for about $95,000 including stock and equipment, and the adjoining vehicle repair workshop is selling for $185,000 “walk in-walk out” after several months on the market.

It is understood that prospective buyers had to withdraw cash bids because banks are reportedly reluctant to finance new business loans for country investments.

The historic Wendouree Tearooms was closed without notice last month and missed the Toodyay Fibre Festival which brought a large number of visitors to town.

A sign on the Stirling Terrace cafe’s front window read “opening soon”.

Much talk has centred on the fate of the heritage-listed Freemasons Hotel which also shut its doors without notice last month.

The pub and TAB betting outlet was sold last February to a company linked to the family of former WA Premier Colin Barnett, who owns a rural property in Julimar.

New hotel manager Chilli Snider said there were two recent offers to buy the pub – including one from a “well-known hotel group” – but there was no agreement on a deal and the hotel was no longer for sale.

“The immediate intention is to restore the hotel and proceed as planned,” Mr Snider said.
“Renovation works were always scheduled to take place mid-year.

“Given the venue has been fairly quiet lately, it was an opportune time to begin those works now.

“The renovations are cosmetic and not structural.

“They will consist of painting, fresh carpets and appliance upgrades, as well as a few surprises which people will have to wait for.

“Hopefully the venue will open to full capacity in time for the Spring season.”

The town’s other hotel – the Victoria Hotel – and local IGA store were sold to Perth business interests last summer.

Toodyay farmers will pay about $700 more on average farm rates of about $10,000 annually, though some larger local rural producers pay much more each year.

Minimum rates will also rise by $39 to $1390 for the 2023-24 financial year.
Actual dollar amounts to be paid on most Toodyay properties may vary, depending on fluctuations in State land valuations.

Toodyay has six ‘differential’ rate categories based on land values set by an independent WA Valuer-General appointed by the State Governor.

Only five of Toodyay’s eight councillors were present for last month’s vote (Cr Phil Hart via videolink), which was carried by an absolute majority, as required by law.

It was passed without objection or debate.

Cr Mick McKeown submittd an apology for his absence, and others who missed the vote were Crs Steve McCormick and Danielle Wrench.

All councillors attended budget workshops after planning began last December.

Shire Corporate and Community Services Manager Tabitha Bateman reported that shire rates had increased by 8.6 per cent since 2019-20 but the Consumer Price Index had risen by 16.4 per cent – almost double the shire’s proposed rate rise.

Shire President Rosemary Madacsi said the local government cost index, construction costs and external wage increases has also risen faster than shire rate increases.

Shire waste disposal costs were expected to rise by up to 48 per cent, and electricity charges – including for street lighting – faced an expected seven per cent increase.

“Additionally in the last year, the shire has experienced significant cost increases of 5-15 per cent for many contracts, materials and capital works,” President Madacsi said.

Road construction costs had increased by 14 per cent for asphalt and 30 per cent for bitumen.

The community expected shire assets to be maintained in a reasonable state and fit for purpose.

However, the shire was aware of the impact of rate increases on cost-of-living pressures.

“When making decisions about rate increases, the shire carefully weighs the need for additional revenue against the potential burden it may place on ratepayers,” President Madacsi said.

“The shire strives to find a balance that ensures the sustainability of essential services while considering affordability for the community.

“Any changes will be considered in line with submissions received during the advertising period or changes in State valuations before the budget is adopted.”

Ms Bateman said the shire’s 2023-24 budget was based on a seven per cent overall rate increase to raise $7.5 million.

The shire had worked closely with mining companies to develop a maintenance agreement to manage additional costs.

This followed last year’s State rejection of a new Toodyay mining rate, which was subsequently quashed in the State Administrative Tribunal.

The proposed new rate rise would generate an extra $425,000 in revenue compared with the amount raised in 2022-23.

Ms Bateman said ongoing shire costs included $100,000 in annual loan repayments for the Toodyay Recreation Centre.

The proposed new budget aimed for a break-even result, she said.

This follows recent repairs to the shire-owned building, including plasterwork, painting and refurbishment.

Ms Haslehurst said the work was completed and she anticipated a re-opening this month.

A recent Herald inspection shows a new glass screen installed at the front desk in the patients’ waiting room, walls repainted and other furniture installed.

Boxes of tissues have been placed in the reception area and waste paper bins nearby, ready for patients to use.

Dr Lawal was unavailable to confirm a start date but the shire said he wanted to make the medical centre “a more inviting space” space for patients.

Toodyay’s Alma Beard Medical Centre closed last November after the Northam-based Wheatbelt Health Network withdrew local GP services due to cost concerns.

The Federal Government last month announced a new $3.5 billion Budget measure with a four per cent increase in Medicare rebates to fund GP services and increase bulk billing for patients.

His conduct was difficult for a regulator to detect and the false statements were not immediately corrected when revealed.

The defendant had provided no explanation for his conduct.

Mr Bell apologised in writing to the court, saying “my actions which resulted in these proceedings have caused me significant personal hardship and embarrassment.”

Corporation Chairman Robert Miles thanked everyone involved, including the Shire of Toodyay for its support for national reconciliation.

“This project has been about ‘reclaiming’ the Noongar voice, acknowledging truth and beginning the healing process,” Mr Miles said.

The Shire launched its second Reconciliation Action Plan at an annual national Reconciliation Week breakfast on Thursday May 25.

The shire’s new contract with Dr Lawal includes a resumption of ancillary medical services delivered by other health providers.

Toodyay Shire CEO Suzie Haslehurst said a lease for the premises would be signed and the keys handed over when interior repairs were completed.

This included patching holes, gouges and chips in plaster walls and on passageway corners, re-painting damaged areas and checks on electrical wiring and plumbing.

It was understood at the time of publication that this would take at least another two weeks from the start of May because of the amount of work involved.

Much of the centre’s furnishings, including chairs and beds, are already in place.

Ms Haslehurst said the shire was installing a new computer server to connect existing workstations, printers and other equipment.

Dr Lawal, who will engage his own computer specialist to link the equipment and connect it to the internet, was unable to be contacted by The Herald for comment.

However, Ms Haslehurst said Dr Lawal had told the shire that he wanted to make the medical centre a “more inviting space” for local patients.

They stayed initially in Canning when most settlers were still living under canvas before moving to Middle Swan and finally settling at Barn Elms in West Toodyay, where Sandy Ferguson built a mudbrick family cottage.

Sandy Ferguson was a blacksmith who charged an English pound for shoeing horses.

He died in 1858 age 53 and was the first person to be buried in Nardie Cemetery.

Christiana Ferguson died 12 years later age 64 and is buried next to her husband.

Their second child Thomas (1826-1892) married Jane Morley (1829-1919) and the couple lived near Guildford before also moving to Toodyay, from where the local pioneering family grew and spread.

Information provided by Ferguson family member Leanne Rowe and historical records.