Local News & Info
UP THE CREEK! Our community project at upper Lesmurdie Falls is coming to a conclusion. On 28th February a celebration of the project took place on the site with members of FOULF and LDCA plus numerous volunteers all enjoying the ambiance in a sundown setting Up the Creek!
This has been an extraordinary project with hundreds of community members directly and indirectly involved. The site now boasts thousands of indigenous plantings, unique seating across the area, walk trails and creek crossings. The creek flows all year round and this area is now a state showcase for visitors. Photo Peter Goodall copyright.
SHIRE TO CITY. This proposal was reintroduced by Cr. Townsend in a Motion to Council at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 28th November 2016 where it was seconded by Cr. Di Rosso and debated. A vote of 8/3 in favour of the recommendation took place. The Shire then lodged an application with state government for permission to move to city status.
The Save Kalamunda Action Group lodged a Petition with the Shire in December 2016 asking for a Special Electors’ Meeting to be held with residents on what has proved to be a controversial issue. This was agreed and the meeting was held on 18th January 2016 at Cyril Road Hall, High Wycombe. The Action Group put forward a Motion at the meeting which was seconded and debated after which a vote was taken. The Motion was carried. It requested Council to withdraw its application to the Minister for Local Government for the Shire to become a City. The matter went back to the Shire Council on 27th January where Councillors voted to continue their wish to become a city. The vote was 8/4.
LDCA has gone to great lengths since this matter was first raised to ensure our membership has as much information as possible so that they can make an informed judgement on the proposal. Our FAQ was first posted in 2015 and is regularly updated. Shire to City Questions & Answers
The results of the Shire of Kalamunda’s Survey to ratepayers is also posted here. It includes comments for and against the proposal when it was last introduced in 2015. Shire City Survey Results
TOWN CENTRE DESIGN. The use of slab concrete on new buildings in the Kalamunda town centre is an ongoing issue. The Shire of Kalamunda is developing a Design Committee and details can be obtained by ringing the City on 9257 9999.
AGED CARE. The Shire has developed a Kalamunda Aged Care Advisory Committee. Members comprise Shire Councillors and community members. Reports on any progress in aged care are presented at our general meetings or phone the Shire on 9257 9999 and ask for the Minutes of these meetings.
Some beds have been allocated to local facilities. They will now have to raise the money to build and lodge plans through the Shire of Kalamunda. All this will take some years. Meanwhile Hall & Prior have raised the funding for a 160 bed Nursing Home in High Wycombe. The sod is expected to be turned early next year. However, we are currently 400 beds short in the Kalamunda Shire.
The aged care crisis in this shire is far from over and newly elected MP Matthew Hughes has not helped by refusing to support the Wilkins Road initiative. As a result, the new Planning Minister Rita Saffioti had the initiative ‘revoked’ by the Governor. We have therefore lost the possibility of a fully integrated care facility with everything including a 120 bed nursing home on the one site.
In addition, a proposal to have a Pickering Brook site endorsed by the WA Planning Commission was not successful.
The good news however is that the Gavour Road proposal for fully integrated aged care is moving ahead with comprehensive plans being prepared to go to the City for approval. The sod is expected to be turned in 24-30 months once all the necessary procedures are in place.