Media releases

With increased traffic movements expected ahead of the long weekend, Shire of Augusta Margaret River Rangers are taking the opportunity to remind drivers to adhere to local parking laws.
 
In recent weeks, Shire Rangers have observed a significant number of parking offences in the Shire, with Gnarabup Beach carpark posing a particular concern.
 
Shire Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Addison-Brown said during last weekend’s patrols at Gnarabup, Rangers observed more than 40 vehicles parked illegally, including 10 vehicles parked on median strips, and more than 20 vehicles parked in bays reserved for boat trailers.
 
“Rangers are seeking to educate the public in the first instance and on this occasion only issued two infringements, and one warning, for vehicles that were blocking the footpaths,” she said.
 
“While a lack of parking during peak times can be frustrating, illegally parked vehicles can obstruct sightlines for other drivers, and cause people to walk into traffic flows to get around blocked footpaths.
 
“Blocked accessways can be particularly difficult for people with prams or those who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs and impede on their ability to access services, facilities and recreational spots.
 
“Parking on vegetation can also cause environmental damage and dune erosion,” she said.
 
Ms Addison-Brown said beach congestion issues have been raised by residents, but there is also a reluctance in the community to remove significant coastal vegetation and habitat that would be required for the creation of more parking bays.
 
A number of alternative measures that the Shire is taking to manage parking demand includes:

• New signs recently installed permitting standard vehicle parking in boat trailer bays after 12pm. It is requested that people leave these bays free for boat ramp users before 12pm as there are no other parking bays for boat ramp users in the Gnarabup area.
• Limiting event permits in summer at Gnarabup.
• Relocating some activities and permit holders to Gracetown.
• Capping current seating numbers for the White Elephant (an increase to the indoor seating for winter periods has been permitted, but the total capacity will remain unchanged).

“Please exercise patience in the Gnarabup Beach carpark, and adhere to the parking laws,” Ms Addison-Brown said.
 
“Keep off footpaths and median strips, and don’t park over yellow lines.
 
“Above all else, have a happy and safe long weekend.”

A $10,000 donation will be made by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund in the coming days to help the Perth residents most affected by the recent bushfires.

The Council voted unanimously to make the donation on behalf of the local community as a gesture of support for these similarly bushfire prone communities.

Shire President Ian Earl said our community members were the grateful recipients of donations after the 2011 Margaret River fires and this was a case of paying it forward.

“The communities that will benefit from these funds are in the thick of devastation,” he said. “The loss of homes and property is a distressing experience and one that we know all too well.

“It’s important that we are there to support our neighbours through these times knowing that they have been there for us and will be again in the future.

“It’s a donation that is going to Perth residents, but we can consider it an investment into our own community.”

The donation will be made from the Council’s discretionary donations budget allocation.

A trebling in the number of cases of Ross River Virus cases in the past three years has led to the Shire of Augusta of Margaret River being declared as a high-risk area for contracting the mosquito borne virus. 

The Department of Health made the decision to increase the risk rating for the Shire of Augusta Margaret River last week, only days before the local health officers received notification of a ninth diagnosis within the local government area for the current financial year.

Shire Environmental Heath Officer Jacinta Hall said recent rain followed by warm weather is likely to have caused increased mosquito activity.

“Recent weather events have resulted in more favourable breeding conditions for mosquitos and a subsequent increase in the risk of mosquito-borne diseases,” she said.

“The best thing you can do in try to avoid exposures to mosquitoes.

“Cover up, use repellent, and clean up areas around the home that are mosquito breeding hot spots.”

Ms Hall said anyone who develops symptoms such as painful and swollen joints, sore muscles, skin rashes, fever, fatigue and headaches after a mozzie bite should present for medical treatment.

“There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease, she said.

“If you are unlucky to get bitten and experience any of the above symptoms please contact your GP.

“Symptoms can be quite unpleasant and linger for months after the virus is contracted.”

The Fight the Bite campaign is promoted by the Shire as an education and awareness drive to reduce instances of mosquito borne disease in the local area.

For more information on mosquito control, visit the Environmental Health section on www.amrshire.wa.gov.au or head to www.healthywa.gov.au/fightthebite.

Shire of Augusta Margaret River Rangers have referred evidence of illegal tree clearing and taking of firewood following two recent incidents.  

The most recent incident occurred on a Crown Reserve near Rosa Glen with the perpetrator caught in the act removing a large Jarrah tree.

Prior to this, several Marri and Jarrah trees were cleared near Elizabeth Street in Margaret River.
Shire Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Addison Brown said it was illegal to take firewood from Shire reserves, Crown land, and National Parks.

“The Shire takes the clearing of native vegetation seriously,” she said.

“We will prosecute anyone taking wood from Shire reserves and will refer evidence of clearing on Crown land to the relevant State agency.

“Firewood can only be taken without a permit for personal use in Firewood Collection Areas designated by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.

“These areas are shown on the DBCA website, and I urge anyone collecting firewood to carefully check maps before heading out.”

The maximum penalty for clearing without a permit is $250,000. 

Shire Coordinator Environment and Landcare John McKinney said there were limits to how much firewood can be removed within Firewood Collection Areas and when this can occur.

“Between 1 June to 30 September, a maximum of one tonne may be removed every 60 days. Between 1 October to 31 May, a maximum of one tonne can only be removed on any one occasion. As a guide, half a tonne equates to approximately a 6 x 4 trailer loaded 30cm deep,” he said.

“When taking firewood from Firewood Collection Areas please only take fallen timber. Standing trees, even dead ones can provide valuable habitat.

“You cannot cut down any standing tree, either dead or alive, or cut or break off any part of a living tree for firewood.

Information about collecting firewood for personal use can be found on the DBCA website here

A list of Firewood Collection Areas in the South West is available here

The South West will return to its pre-lockdown conditions from 6pm today, providing there are no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in WA.

Please look out for any changes issued by the WA Government at www.wa.gov.au as they may result in further changes.

If all goes to plan, Shire related services and opening hours are detailed below. 

Outdoor facilities
All playgrounds, skateparks, outdoor gym equipment and public BBQs are planned to open again at 6pm, Friday 5 February. 

Shire Customer Services
Face-to-face customer services will resume at 9am, Monday 8 February. This includes Department of Transport related services. You can also contact us via telephone and email, Monday to Friday 9am-4pm. Please call 9780 5255 or email [email protected]

Libraries
Pre-lockdown library hours will resume from tomorrow. Margaret River Library will open at 10am, Saturday 6 February. Augusta Library will open on Tuesday 9 February at 10am.
For more info visit www.amrlibraries.com

Rec Centres and Pool
The Margaret River Recreation Centre will reopen on Saturday 6 February at 8am.
This includes the pool, gym, courts and group fitness classes. The first scheduled group fitness class is Circuit at 8am.

Augusta Gym
Access will open from 6pm tonight, Friday 5 February. Supervised Rehab at the Hydrotherapy pool will resume on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.
All memberships and passes were paused for the lockdown. They will resume from Saturday 6 February.
For more info visit www.recreation.amrshire.wa.gov.au

Kids Club
Before and After School Care will start on Monday 8 February in time for the start of school. Creche services will be available from Monday 8 February at 9am.
Please contact [email protected] for further information.

Margaret River HEART
Opening tonight, Friday 5 February at 6pm. Scheduled cinema screening, The Dry, starts at 7pm. Tickets available at www.margaretriverheart.com.au

Turner Holiday Park and Flinders Bay Holiday Park
Our holiday parks will be accepting new bookings and check-ins from tomorrow, Saturday 6 February. However, people from Perth and the Peel region will be unable to travel to the South West for non-essential purposes next week, in line with State Government directions.
For more info visit www.turnerpark.amrshire.wa.gov.au or www.flindersbaypark.amrshire.wa.gov.au

Waste Services
Waste is an essential service and continues to operate as normal.

Community Halls
All community halls will open as normal from tomorrow.
www.amrshire.wa.gov.au/facilities/halls

Mandatory contact registers are in place at most businesses and venues and residents are reminded to sign in.

For more info on State Government directions visit the State Government WA website 
For updates to Shire facilities and services visit www.amrshire.wa.gov.au