Toodyay Herald

Russia’s withdrawal last month from the so-called ‘Black Sea grain corridor’ for grain shipments and subsequent deliberate missile attacks on Ukranian ports and grain storage facilities have caused market uncertainty and grave international concern about global food security.

The grain corridor was brokered by the United Nations to allow safe passage of Ukranian and Russian grain shipments from Black Sea ports to the rest of the world.

The deal had lasted more than a year despite complaints by Russian President Vladimir Putin that it had not met Russia’s needs.

When he refused last month to extend the deal and then proceeded to attack the major Ukranian port of Odessa, grain futures markets shot up in response.

Russia doubled down shortly after by declaring that any merchant grain ship could be considered to be carrying military equipment or arms.

Russia also launched missile attacks on inland grain facilities near the Danube River in the western part of Ukraine.

Its deliberate targeting of Ukranian grain exports has drawn UN criticism, the spike in grain prices and threat to supply have caused grave international concern over food security in developing countries.

Ukranian and Russian wheat – commonly called ‘Black Sea grain’ – is generally the world’s cheapest grain.

Unfortunately, spikes in grain prices and supply problems have a real impact on some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

Australian grain prices have risen as a result.

Wheat and canola prices have risen by about 10-15 per cent in a short period, boosting confidence among local farmers for another good season.

Any settling of Ukrainian war supply issues would remove the current market risk, which would most likely see grain prices fall to more average levels.

The prosecution describes Boyagerring Brook and the Avon River generally as the home of the Wagyl, a spiritual being in the form of a serpent that represents a core belief in traditional Avon Valley Noongar culture.

Mr Maddox says he did not know that Boyagerring Brook is protected by a 50-year-old Aboriginal heritage law when he built the vehicle crossing and an artificial lake.

He has instructed his Northam solicitor to brief a barrister to defend the charge.

Senior barristers can charge up to $10,000 a day, while junior barristers’ costs can start at about $5000 a day.

The case against Mr Maddox is separate to new WA Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws from July 1 which prompted mass protests by angry farmers in Northam and elsewhere.

The WA Pastoralists and Graziers Association says it is awaiting legal advice on a potential High Court challenge.

The association says the Maddox case could help a long-running battle against State control over farmers’ property rights.

Association Property Rights Committee Chair Gary Peacock said it was a “long shot” but a member had offered to pay for a barrister’s opinion on whether Aboriginal heritage law had power over private land.

“We have great empathy for Tony and passionately support his case,” Mr Peacock said.

“We support him morally.”

Mr Maddox said he would pay for his own barrister when his case goes to trial and was told it may cost him $200,000 in legal fees.

Northam lawyer Bernadine Heiderich told last month’s hearing that nine defence witnesses would be called and that the Perth court may need to set aside four days for a trial.

The prosecution said via video link from Perth that the State had four witnesses and had anticipated a two-day trial.

Magistrate Webb said she might continue to hear the case in Perth because, as Ms Heiderich explained later to The Herald, the magistrate was transferring to the city court.

“You may not have seen the last of me,” Ms Webb told Mr Maddox as he left the court.
The trial is expected to start in December or early next year.

They agreed to store the materials and liaise with the Toodyay Agricultural Society about what to do next year.

The shire has placed a padlock on the door and locked the society out of the building.

Cr Steve McCormick voted against the council decision, saying the bar could still be used this year and demolished afterwards.

He was required earlier to declare an “impartiality interest” in the debate because he is a member of the Toodyay Agricultural Society and Toodyay Cricket Club, which operates the Show bar (pictured right with [from left], Steele, John Lucas and Skye O’Brien) each year.

“As a consequence, there may be a perception that my impartiality on the matter may be affected,” he said, reading from a signed statement filed with the shire.

“I will therefore declare that I will consider the matter on its merits and vote accordingly.”
He questioned whether the shire had obtained a “properly credentialled” report on the bar’s condition.

The council was told that a “specialised company” was asked in May to examine structural defects.

It reported “rotted and termite-damaged uprights, tie-downs and rafter integrity, as well as bearer failure”.

The shire then contacted five builders, resulting in a $30,000 repair quote and a recommendation to demolish the building.

Society President Bruce Shenn emailed the shire on July 21 that there was not enough time to repair the bar before this year’s Show.

He told councillors that he believed the bar was safe to use this year but that a marquee could be used instead.

“It would, of course take away from the ambience of the area,” Mr Shenn said.

He told The Herald later that a temporary bar would be provided for this year’s event.

The shire said removing the Show bar would leave a concrete base for a marquee.

One speaker at last month’s packed Northam meeting claimed that the new laws would cost her “thousands and thousands of dollars to take out a tree” on her property.

“We have to face mortgage hikes, rate rises and now you want to add more costs – we are on our knees,” she said.

Another said “people have worked hard to grub a reasonable living out of the ground and now everyone is shit-scared”.

Toodyay real estate agent Tony Maddox – who is being prosecuted for building an unauthorised crossing over Boyagerring Brook on his Nunile farm – received the loudest cheers and applause when he said the State Government should pay him compensation for taking away his right to do what he wanted on his own property.

Mr Maddox has pleaded not guilty to breaching a previous Aboriginal heritage law passed in 1972 and is due to return to the Northam Magistrate’s Court on Monday July 10 to set a trial date after earlier court appearances in March and April.

A Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation representative at last month’s Northam meeting said “I understand your pain but we want to work with you, not against you”.

“Your land is your title – we don’t want it back,” she said.

“I live here, we are here, we all grew up here and we want to meet you to develop a rapport.”

The ‘education workshop’ was conducted by the WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage three days before the new laws took effect and was one of 10 similar public meetings held throughout WA during a recent five-week period.

Three more public meetings are yet to be held – in Gidgegannup, Perth and Kalgoorlie.

Industry calls for a six-month delay were rejected by new WA Premier Roger Cook, who said the State Government would avoid a “heavy handed” approach to applying the new law over the next year.

Toodyay’s Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation said it agreed that there should have been a delay to enable more people to learn how they might be affected by the new law.

A State Government speaker at the Northam meeting said most Wheatbelt landholders would not be affected.

State Engagement and Policy Director Cesar Rodriguez said farmers who sowed crops, ran livestock and repaired fences would not need heritage permits to continue existing activities.

Landholders planning new works on properties larger than 1100sq/m would be required to carry out a “due diligence assessment” by checking online and using other measures to find out if planned works might affect Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Heritage sites included waterways and other specific places (marked above in blue) in the Shire of Toodyay (shaded green) that were already registered with the State, and other areas where sites may exist but had yet to be registered or identified.

Mr Rodriguez said landholders wanting to carry out low-level activities in areas where heritage might exist would be required to consult a Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Service for an assessment.

WA Government guidelines say a fee of up to $500 can be charged for this service, and a ‘nominal’ fee of $100 for a permit.

Mr Rodriguez told the Northam meeting that low-level works permits could take up to 2½ months to be granted.

No Local Aboriginal Cultural Service bodies had been established anywhere in WA but existing registered native title bodies would assess applications in the interim.

The State Government has provided a total of $10 million to set up these services, with each assessment body to receive up to $300,000 to equip it with adequate staff and resources to process permit applications.

A map provided by Toodyay’s Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation (above) shows that the Shire of Toodyay contains three separate Aboriginal language groups – Ballardong, Yued and Whadjuk.

Mr Rodriguez said the Ballardong portion of the shire – an area that includes the Toodyay townsite and Nunile – was covered by the Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation, which has a mailing address in East Perth and representatives in Northam.

The corporation can be contacted on 0458 343 433 or kaya@ballardong.org.au.

The Whadjuk language group includes West Toodyay, Julimar and Cobbler Pool, and Yued covers Coondle, Dewars Pool, Bejoording and most of the State Forest north of Julimar Road.

Local landholders seeking permits for low-level activities in these areas should contact the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council in East Perth on 9358 7499 or email reception@noongar.org.au.

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.