Delay in signing doctors to new shire contract

TOODYAY residents may have to wait until at least May for local doctors to return as negotiations continue between the shire and prospective new operators to re-open the town’s Alma Beard Medical Centre.

Shire CEO Suzie Haslehurst it would take “a couple more months” to finalise contract details, including interpretation of clauses and legal advice.

100 new homes sought for Toodyay townsite

By Michael Sinclair-Jones

PLANS for 100 new homes in Toodyay have been lodged with the State Government.

The new subdivision is next to the town’s Riverhills Estate which has undergone a residential building boom in recent years.

The new residential lots averaging 1000sq/m would generate an estimated extra $200,000 a year in Shire of Toodyay rates.

The land is own by Queensland property developer Australia Q8 Pty Ltd.

The shire has no role in granting the application but last month’s council meeting voted 7-0 to ask the WA Planning Commission for it include public open space for trees and that the developer seals the gravel part of Drummond Street.

Drilling noise disrupts weekend bird survey

Julimar Conservation Park track closed for early morning weekend drilling.

By Michael Sinclair-Jones

WEEKEND drilling in Julimar Conservation Park has upset local volunteers conducting a birdlife survey to help identify rare and endangered species.

Volunteers were also upset last month that part of the Salvado Pilgrim Trail through the forest to New Norcia was closed.

The early Saturday morning disruption was reported to The Herald after volunteers complained that engine noise from heavy machinery had disrupted their efforts to monitor bird calls to identify local species.

Some forest access roads were also blocked off with tape.

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Vandals smash shire grader

Toodyay road repairs have been delayed by at least eight weeks after vandals damaged a grader (right) at the town’s local racecourse.

A glass door was smashed to gain entry to the locked vehicle and the contents of a fire extinguisher sprayed over the grader’s control panel and interior.

The weekend vandalism occurred last month while the grader was parked overnight at the shire-owned racetrack, about three kilometres from Toodyay townsite.

The grader is one of three operated by the Shire of Toodyay and costs $4500 a month to lease.

Two are used for year-round repairs to gravel roads – including those used by local farmers to carry grain and livestock to market – and the other for shire road construction.

Toodyay Shire CEO Suzie Haslehurst said the damaged grader was insured for $280,000.

However, it would take up to two months to order new parts from overseas.

Local police said they are investigating.

 

Facebook ‘admins’ accountable for damaging claims

By Phil Hart

ADMINISTERING a Facebook group may sound glamorous but it can be hard work.

It helps to have at least two ‘admins’ in case one is suspended for any reason.

Different sites have different rules for managing groups.

Some groups don’t seem to care what gets published, while others take truth and common sense more seriously.

All reputable sites publish guidelines for moderators.

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Local doctors set to return

By Michael Sinclair-Jones

DOCTORS are set to return to Toodyay at the end of next month.

Toodyay shire councillors voted 7-0 at a special meeting this month to accept a new contract with a general practitioner to reopen the town’s Alma Beard Medical Centre on Monday March 27.

This follows a shock decision by the Northam-based Wheatbelt Health Network to close the town’s only surgery last November.

Councillors voted to offer a free five-year deal – same as previously – for doctors to resume providing medical services at the ratepayer-owned facility.

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Toodyay’s two newest Aussies welcomed at revamped Australia Day celebrations

A new seating arrangement, live classical music, more breakfast options and free espresso coffee added a fresh dimension to this year’s January 26 Australia Day celebrations in front of a large gathering at the Toodyay Recreation Centre. New Australians Chandre Stewart (above left) and Edith Botica took the oath of allegiance before the announcement of this year’s Australia Day Awards. The event also featured a new Indigenous theme.

Train suspected of sparking big bushfire as residents flee

Incident Control Centre units and other firefighting equipment rushed to Morangup Community Centre to fight a big bushfire that started near Cobbler Pool on January 30 and burnt out of control for two days.

POLICE are investigating whether a passing train sparked a big bushfire which caused dozens of Toodyay residents to flee their homes to safety at the end of last month.

The fire was first reported at 4.45pm on Monday January 30 in the Cobbler Pool area after a series of hot days and total fire bans.

Multiple ignition points were reported along the east-west rail link between Cobbler Pool and West Toodyay.

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More big changes in town as leading businesses get new owners

By Michael Sinclair-Jones

TOODYAY has undergone a major shift in local business ownership with the recent sale of the town’s only supermarket and at least one of its two remaining historic hotels.

The IGA store and Victoria Hotel have been bought by a Perth-based company which owns similar IGA stores in Glendalough, Darch and Meekatharra.

Freemasons Hotel owners John and Stella Pearce said their historic pub was currently under offer from business interests that The Herald understands may have Toodyay connections.

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Chalice to pay as new mining rate quashed

By Michael Sinclair-Jones

TOODYAY councillors have adopted a revised 2022-23 shire budget after the State Government rejected a new mining rate to pay for increased damage to local shire roads.

A new shire agreement with Chalice Mining is expected to pay for the shortfall.

Ministerial rejection required the State Administrative Tribunal to quash the shire’s new mining rate adopted last August and for the council to revise its 2022-23 budget.

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