Toodyay Herald

New Shire President Rosemary Madacsi called the election (shire notice Herald Page 13) last month to fill a vacancy on the nine-member council to replace former shire president Bill Manning who resigned in April to move to Tasmania.

Shire rates in the dollar will stay at last year’s levels, and any increases in State land valuations will not be added to rates bills.

Shire fees and charges – including for rubbish collection – will not increase, overdue rates will not be charged interest and property owners will not pay extra for paying their rates in quarterly instalments.

Owners who pay in full by the due date will get a three per cent discount instead of going into a draw for sponsored prizes.

Acting Shire CEO Chileya Luangala confirmed last month that the new budget would include all measures adopted at a Covid-19 special council meeting in April.

She said councillors had met eight times since December to discuss shire finances and a further budget meeting was planned before a 4pm agenda briefing scheduled for Tuesday June 16.

Savings of about $600,000 had been made by last month by making four staff positions redundant.

Savings included employee direct and on-costs, vehicle-related costs, fringe benefits tax and “associated reductions in services”.

Meanwhile, the WA Local Government Department says State lawyers have finished examining a report by three Perth investigators into shire operations and affairs over the past seven years.

The State Solicitor’s Office returned the report to the department after deciding whether to extract any evidence that could be used for a prosecution before the report is sent to the shire for comment and then tabled in State Parliament by WA Local Government Minister David Templeman.

The inquiry covers present and former shire councillors and staff, including former shire CEO Stan Scott whose 12-month ‘interim’ contract was cut short in April after the council rejected his bid last year to keep his job for another three to four years.

New Shire CEO Suzie Haslehurst has signed a four-year contract and is due to start later this month.

An eight-day nomination period for next month’s council election to fill a vacancy created by former president Bill Manning s resignation in April will open on Wednesday June 17 and close at 4pm on Wednesday June 24.

The WA Electoral Commission will conduct a postal ballot of all Toodyay voters with a bulk mail out of candidates’ statements and voting forms starting Thursday July 2.
The electoral roll closes on Thursday June 25.

Property owners who live outside the shire should check if they are still on the electoral roll under voting rules which require their details to be updated every 12 months.

A heavy excavator uproots a giant tree (above) which was part of Toodyay’s historic Catholic Precinct near the town entry.

The trees have been cleared to allow for a new road to access some of the new blocks being created as part of the subdivision.

The Archdiocese of Perth submitted an application for the subdivision to the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) on 13 September 2017 and final approval was granted on 15 June 2018.

Sometime between these two dates, the subdivision application was sent to the Shire of Toodyay for a report into how the application took into account the provisions of Toodyay’s local planning scheme.

A report was provided by the Shire of Toodyay and sent to the WAPC.

Unfortunately, the report was made by staff of the shire under what is known as “delegated authority” which meant that the people of Toodyay, including the councillors, did not know that a subdivision had been proposed and there was no opportunity for public comment.

The practical results of that subdivision approval are now being seen and felt in Toodyay.

On 5 December 2018, the Catholic Precinct was placed in the State Register of Heritage Places as an important historical landmark with a striking architectural presence on the main street of Toodyay.

This register provides the highest level of heritage protection available.

Now the future of the precinct is further at risk because the shire  has received a development application (public notice Page 8, June Herald) for the demolition of one of the buildings in the precinct.

This would mean that the destruction that has begun with the felling of the trees may continue with the destruction of one of the buildings.

John Clarke (left) and Mick McKeown in the Garden of Peace with the covered brick walkway behind – both heritage areas face demolition.

The building in the firing line is the covered walkway (see above) from the rear of the church to the convent .

The walkway is a 20-metre-long brick passageway that links the convent to the church next to the Garden of Peace, which also faces demolition.

When the church was opened in 1963, the Beverley Times newspaper reported that a chapel inside the Church was “connected to the Convent by a covered way” and was for the exclusive use of the Sisters of Mercy.

The walkway provided safe and secure access by the Sisters to their chapel at all times and in all weathers.

The State Heritage listing states that in 1963, the walkway was considered innovative and unique.

Nearly 60 years have passed since the walkway was built and the passage of time has not decreased its rarity or uniqueness, rather its importance has been enhanced by its long association with the work of the Sisters of Mercy in Toodyay.

The Archdiocese of Perth has lodged an application to demolish this walkway.

Now is the time for the people of Toodyay to stand up for the future of the historic buildings of which we are so proud.

The demolition of the walkaway and adjacent Garden of Peace should be opposed, so please do this by responding to the advertisement regarding the demolition on this page.

Widespread community opposition will reinfornce the importance that we in Toodyay attach to our history.

The Toodyay Shire Council voted last month in favour of Cr Paula Greenway’s motion that the shire staff must notify council regularly of any changes that affect the Catholic group of buildings.

A widespread community response in this case will also send a signal that this good beginning must be followed by increasing the protection of the precinct by removing the delegated authority and guaranteeing that the elected Council of Toodyay is the appropriate body to determine its future.

This would help prevent a “second wave” of infections after earlier restrictions had enabled Australia to “very successfully flatten the curve” of new Covid-19 cases, particularly in WA.

Toodyay residents are also being urged to seek clinical help for virus-related anxiety or distress after a 20 per cent increase in referrals to psychological support services.

Local cafes and shops showed a big increase in trade from Perth visitors in the last two weekends of May when the State government ended its Wheatbelt lockdown and eased social distancing rules.

However, many visitors appeared to be ignoring social distancing rules on crowded pavements and in the Charcoal Lane car park.

The virus has killed 370,000 people worldwide and more than 100 in Australia.
WA’s interstate and overseas borders stayed shut at the start of this month but travel to Perth and elsewhere in WA was allowed to resume from the third week of May.

Official figures show that about 10 per cent of Australia’s 7000 known infections were spread locally from unknown sources.

Infected people remain contagious for up to 14 days unless the virus takes hold and develops into a cough or fever.

State health officials say people still need to “keep 1.5m away from others where possible and maintain good personal hygiene” after restrictions ease from June 6.

The Wheatbelt Health Network says Covid-19 can be spread unknowingly by people without symptoms to others who then become contagious without symptoms and can again unknowingly pass to virus onto others who become ill.

“That’s why it’s important to maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres and continue to wash hands regularly – it’s a silent risk,” a Wheatbelt Health spokesman said.

“That’s also why it’s important for everyone with a smartphone to download the government’s COVIDsafe app so the virus can be traced through potential contacts and people at risk tested and, if necessary, isolated to prevent further spread.

“Six million people have done it so far.

“Healthy people with strong personal immune systems will defeat the virus after two weeks unless it develops into a cough or a fever,” the spokesperson said.

“Anyone who feels unwell should stay home and self-isolate to stop any potential spread and call a doctor for advice.”

The spokesperson said one good outcome from social distancing restrictions was a “phenomenal” drop in the number of people seeking medical treatment for common colds and influenza.

“A lot more people this year also had flu vaccinations, which helped to reduce the number of reported cases at clinics and hospitals,” the spokesperson said.

However, the virus has caused a 20 per cent increase in the number of Toodyay people seeking clinical help to deal with emotional distress, including anxiety about financial concerns and personal relationships.

Local clinical psychologist Richard Taylor said people experiencing anxiety or distress could call Toodyay’s Alma Beard Medical Centre for a doctor’s referral to his bulk-billing practice to get tele-help support at home via a smartphone, tablet or computer, or visit his clinic.

“This makes it much easier for people living in rural areas to get help, he said.

“A lot of my work is now done this way.”

See Police Beat

Shire President Rosemary Madacsi earlier declared a proximity interest and left the chamber because she owns a property adjoining an impassable 110m section of North Street that is currently closed to traffic.

Shire Deputy President Beth Ruthven chaired the debate among the remaining seven councillors (one seat vacant) which resulted in what was initially recorded as a 4-3 decision to open and upgrade the road.

However, the motion was later declared lost because the decision to spend unbudgeted money lacked an absolute majority.

Cr Bell said the council was trying to cut costs and did not need to spend an extra $95,000 on a road that was already closed.

Cr Susan Pearce, whose motion to re-open North Street was seconded by Cr Brian Rayner, said successive councils had debated the issue for 20 years and a decision was needed.

Cr Ruthven later served a notice of motion for this month’s council meeting at 4pm on Tuesday June 23 that North Street’s temporary closed status between Fitzgerald Terrace and Collett Way be removed and that $95,000 be considered in the shire’s 2020-21 budget to surface it with gravel.

She replaces former Cr Bill Manning, who resigned last month to move to Tasmania.

Audit Committee Chair Beth Ruthven (shown left being sworn in by Cr Brian Rayner JP) was elected new shire deputy president.

Cr Therese Chitty ran unsuccessfully for shire president in her third failed attempt in four years after saying publicly last February that she wouldn’t run again.

Cr Paula Greenway lost her second bid since 2017 to be elected deputy.

It is understood Crs Manning, Ruthven, Madacsi, Susan Pearce and Phil Hart voted for Cr Madacsi, and Crs Brian Rayner, Ben Bell, Chitty and Greenway voted for Cr Chitty.

Councillors voted 5-4 similarly to appoint Shire of York Corporate and Community Services Executive Manager Suzie Haslehurst (below) to be Toodyay’s new shire CEO.

It is understood Ms Haslehurst was one of four shortlisted candidates interviewed by councillors last month after the job attracted more than 20 applicants.

The result was a win for five new councillors who were elected last year for the first time by all Toodyay voters, and a defeat for a veteran minority (excluding Cr Bell) who were elected in 2017 under now-abolished rules that barred most Toodyay voters from having a say in their elections.

Nobody voted for Cr Rayner because he was the only candidate to nominate in the now-abolished North Ward.

Ms Haslehurst replaces former Shire CEO Stan Scott, whose contract was terminated last month after he failed to convince councillors last year to let him keep his job for another three to four years.

Mr Scott’s last day is Tuesday May 12 but he has been on extended sick leave for three months and is not expected to return to work.

The shire is currently awaiting the outcome of a year-long State Government inquiry into its operations and affairs, and “reasonable suspicion” that the council may have breached local government law.

The new shire CEO will be expected to manage a response to any recommendations arising from the inquiry, the result of which has yet to be released by WA Local Government Minister David Templeman.

His department sent a draft to the State Solicitor’s Office last December to decide if any part should be withheld as evidence for prosecution before the findings are made public.

IT IS understood the inquiry was reopened last February to examine a new $1.1 million shire contract awarded last year without calling for public tenders.

In answer to a public question in March, former shire president Manning said it was not advertised because the previous council had voted 8-0 last August for Mr Scott to “source a suitable contractor” under a State Government ‘common use agreement’.

It is understood the fresh investigation has delayed the release of a final inquiry report.

The council has appointed Shire Corporate Services Manager Chileya Luangala as Acting CEO to manage the Covid-19 emergency and budget review until Ms Haslehurst starts work in June or sooner.

Ms Haslehurst has worked for four years at the Shire of York, including earlier this year and previously as acting CEO.

She was previously Acting Director of Community and Economic Development and Manager of Community Development for four years at the Shire of Broome.

Ms Haslehurst also has a background in arts administration, chaired Country Arts WA for a total of eight years, was CEO of Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation for 11 years, chaired the Performing Arts Touring Alliance for two years, was national president of Regional Arts Australia for two years and Buzz Dance Theatre general manager for four years.

She holds a University of South Australia graduate diploma in management and studied at Mt Eliza Business School.

It is understood Ms Haslehurst has signed a four-year contract with an initial six-month trial and has started making plans to move to Toodyay.

From the photos, phone calls and messages we have received, even with the disappointment felt over the cancellation of services due to the Covid-19 no gatherings rule, most (including Toodyay Fire and rescue volunteers (right) and regular Anzac Parade leader Warren Hall (below) were able to commemorate this day in unique yet safe ways while adhering to the restrictions.

 

The sub-branch is very impressed and grateful with the way our members and the wider community embraced the driveway vigil and altered commemorations.

We look forward to the day we can meet again and share the camaraderie that would normally accompany this day.

Until then, take care and stay safe.

Our sub-branch would like to sincerely thank the Toodyay Country Women’s Association ladies for their generous and timely donation of freshly baked Anzac biscuits.

Due to Covid-19 social-distancing regulations, the wood raffle on Friday and Saturday May 15 and 16 outside the IGA has been cancelled as has the RSLWA Congress in June.

The map shows that Chalice currently holds 180sq/km of active exploration tenements (marked green) in the western part of the shire from Keating Road to Dewars Pool and has pegged a further 2300sq/km (blue) covering most of the rest of the shire from Hoddys Well to Wattening, and Nunile to Lower Chittering and the border of Morangup.

The company is chaired by mining entrepreneur Tim Goyder, brother of AFL Chair and former Wesfarmers, Qantas and Woodside chair Richard Goyder who owns Glendearg Farm on the Bindi-Bindi-Toodyay Road.

Initial results from about a dozen Chalice test holes drilled 500m south of Julimar Road to a depth of 250m on an 800-acre Keating Road cattle farm were described this month by Chalice Managing Director Alex Dorsch as “a once in 10 years discovery”.

“If this turns out to be what we think it is, it will be a pretty substantial find of strategic interest for Western Australia,” Mr Dorsch said in an exclusive interview with The Herald.

“It looks like it could be a sizeable deposit of hundreds of millions of tonnes.”

Local concerns

Lower Chittering residents say they are concerned about increased traffic on Julimar Road if mining proceeds.

The Avon and Hills Mining Awareness Group (AHMAG) says it also has concerns about the Julimar project and is keeping a close watch on developments.

Mr Dorsch said his company had pegged most of the shire as a precaution to prevent rival companies pegging nearby for the same minerals.

 

Mining Monthly and Stockhead magazines quoted Mr Dorsch recently as decribing the results of exploration drilling at the Julimar site (pictured above) as “spectacular”.

He said main ore body was thought to lie in the shire’s west and extend into Julimar State Forest, where Chalice conducted preliminary electromagnetic aerial surveys before seeking permits to start test drilling.

The expanded exploration area being sought includes part of the Avon Valley National Park and several conservation reserves which would require special State permission for further drilling.

Mr Dorsch said Julimar was unique because it was near an existing heavy freight rail link to a nearby port and close enough to Perth for miners to sleep at home in their own beds and commute to work instead of having to work Fly In-Fly Out at a remote minesite.

It was valuable also because Australia was a more stable country than Africa’s Democratic Republic of Congo, where most of the world’s cobalt is currently mined.

Further drilling would determine whether the Julimar ore body suited underground or open cut mining.

Chalice currently has $25 million to fund further exploration.

Mr Dorsch said it would take 4-8 months to gain State Government approval to drill in Julimar State Forest, and two or three years to know whether the ore deposit was commercially viable to mine.

March rainfall was generally below average as well, however rainfall in the last week of February was above average.

Most farmers are all prepared and ready to start seeding programs.

Lime spreading and stubble burning duties are mostly complete.

Many livestock owners are still hand feeding sheep and cattle with no end to it in sight.

Lester Snooke, owner of Bolgart Rural Merchandise, commented recently that “most farmers are primed up and ready to go but most are standing on the sidelines to see what happens with the weather”.

He added “about 25 per cent of farmers have made a start on their 2020 seeding programs mostly seeding canola and lupins.

However, the rest have made a decision to sit it out until early May or until more promising signs of rain eventuate”.

Mr Snooke said that he expected canola programs to stay much the same as last year but expected a slight drift back towards wheat from barley due to grain prices.

Covid-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions are still not having much effect on agriculture within our shire and within WA.

Intermittent delays due to social distancing and Covid-19 protocols are being experienced at some agricultural supplies outlets.

The delays appear to be an inconvenience more than a threat to productivity.

Covid-19 protocols have also affected the number of people who are able to attend livestock sales which has raised concerns about competition.

Some states within Australia have now adopted ‘computer selling’ of livestock via electronic means to overcome this issue.

There has been a general easing of sheep and wool values over the past few weeks.

Concerns over the impact of the coronavirus has added a cautious note to any buying of both commodities.

Seeding operations within our shire will be in full swing this month and in June which will result in increased movements of oversized agricultural machinery on our local roads.

All residents are urged to take extra care on the roads during this busy period while farmers transport equipment.

It is uncertain if schools will re-open after the three-week Easter break starts on Thursday April 9, and all local museums, indoor sports venues and libraries have closed for the next six months.

Visitors from outside the Wheatbelt – including Perth – can no longer travel to Toodyay, causing local job losses and cutting hours for workers in local businesses that rely heavily on tourism.

The Federal Government’s Centrelink welfare agency and some banks are offering temporary financial relief.

Supplies of essential products such as toilet paper which ran out in Toodyay late last month are expected to return to normal this month when fresh supplies arrive in WA after logistical delays of up to 10 days in eastern states freight deliveries to Perth.

Local doctors are telling patients with virus symptoms (left) – a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, or fever – not to go to Toodyay’s medical centre but stay home and call 9574 2500 (or 1800 225 523 after hours) for help.

All callers will be offered a Telehealth appointment at home via their phone or various video apps.

Face-to-face visits will be available only by prior telephone request and with the approval of a health practitioner.

As in all other public places, medical centre visitors are required to stay a ‘social distance’ of at least 1.5 metres (five feet) from others (below), and waiting room chairs have been placed farther apart.

State health authorities are urging everyone to wash their hands thoroughly – front and back – for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice) as frequently as possible, particularly after touching door handles, money, benchtops, desks, chairs and other items touched by other people.

People are also warned not to touch their eyes, nose or mouth – particularly in public – unless they first wash their hands thoroughly with soap.

Shaking hands and unnecessary physical contact with others is to be avoided at all times.

The WA Health Department says people don’t need to wear face masks (below) unless they have virus symptoms and need to stop it spreading through coughs and sneezes.

Toodyay’s Wheatbelt Health Network says Covid-19 can seem similar to ordinary influenza and normal coughs and colds.

People with any such symptoms should stay at home and call the Toodyay medical centre for advice.

Caution is needed because people can have Covid-19 but not show symptoms.

New vaccines for ordinary influenza are expected to become available soon but a Covid-19 vaccine has yet to be developed.

Elderly people and those with lung disease, diabetes or suppressed immune systems as the result of cancer treatments or chronic illness are more vulnerable to Covid-19 than others in the general community.

About 30 per cent of Toodyay’s estimated 4400 residents are older than 60, and another 20 per cent are aged between 50 and 60.

Visits to aged care facilities are now restricted, and people wanting to see relatives and friends living in units for older residents such as at Toodyay’s Butterly Cottages should use special care.

Limiting social contact will reduce the spread and impact of the virus, and shorten the recovery time for a return to normal life.

Local restaurants and cafes are now allowed to sell only takeaway food and drink, and customers must leave as soon as they receive their purchases and stay at least 1.5m apart in doorways and queues.

Toodyay police are urging all local residents to stay home as much as possible unless they need to buy food, go to work or travel for other essential reasons.

There will be no local Anzac Day Dawn Service, Parade or Gunfire Breakfast in Toodyay on April 25, and no Moondyne Festival next month.

The shire is continuing essential services such as rubbish collections but now prefers payments by card or cheques, or bank transfers (call 9574 9300).

In safe hands ‒   Shire of Toodyay crisis management leadership team (from left): Works and Services Manager Scott Patterson, Acting CEO Chileya Luangala and Emergency Manager Kylie Neaves.