Annual Report 2014-15

The Annual Report charts our progress
over 12 months of exceptional growth
and challenge. Our population continues
to grow at the rate of 8,000 people each
year – this is an exciting trend, bringing
a vibrant energy to our community.
We welcome the diversity of a fastgrowing
population and we are very
mindful of the associated challenges.
The role of Council is varied as it
works to deliver infrastructure,
facilities and services that meet the
needs of our community.
To maintain a vibrant City, we have
strategically allocated our budget to
achieve a diverse range of projects
throughout the City.
Council invested more than $47 million
in key community infrastructure and
facilities in this reporting period which
will benefit many generations to come.
In recognition of community health,
the City launched the Public Health
Plan to promote social wellbeing, and
identify opportunities to create more
liveable communities. Programmes
include: the fantastic Your Move
programme, Scores on Doors – a food
business rating programme – and
our involvement with the important
ECU Health Centre. These initiatives
resulted in the City being awarded the
overall winner of the 2014 Children’s
Environment and Health Local
Government Report Card presented by
the Public Health Advocacy Institute of
Western Australia. This achievement
also acknowledged the development
and delivery of our first Early
Childhood Policy and Strategy.
The City has proudly been recognised
by many Award programmes
including the State Australian Water
Association Awards; the WA Premier’s
Awards; 2014 Perth Airport WA
Tourism Awards and the Auscontact
Association National Awards.
It is a challenge meeting the demands
of a fast growing community, however
we embrace the challenges while
continuing to celebrate our many
successes and achievements. The scale
of Wanneroo’s growth is significant
and that presents many opportunities
for us to work with the Federal and
State Governments to develop our
great City.
Through our advocacy work we
welcomed the opening of the much
needed Butler Train Station, the
early commencement of the Mitchell
Freeway Extension Project and the
State Government’s sub-regional
planning framework which identified
the City as a major supplier of land and
employment. We will continue to work
hard and advocate for more roads, rail
and reserves to unlock the economic
potential of our region through the City’s
Advocacy Strategy and Tri Cities Alliance.
Council is committed to engaging with
the community on issues that affect
them throughout the decision-making
processes. In 2014, we adopted
our first Community Engagement
Policy that governs our processes as
a listening Council. Meet the Mayor
meetings are regularly held throughout
the community and Council Meetings
‘on tour’ in Two Rocks, Quinns Rocks
and Alexander Heights were held in
March, May and July 2015.
The City will continue to listen, liaise and
support the community as we achieve
outcomes for the City of Wanneroo.
The City's new website, which was
launched in October 2014, illustrates
our commitment to innovative and
effective communication and will
shape the digital future of the City.
Online access can be created with a
personalised account page.
Our City is blessed with natural assets,
from the spectacular beaches to
beautiful bushlands, however these
abundant bushlands do put us at risk
of seasonal bushfire. In January 2015,
a bushfire raged through more than
1500 hectares of land, threatening
the safety of residents and homes in
Pinjar, Carabooda, Yanchep, Alkimos,
Eglinton and Butler. With help from
the Department of Fire and Emergency
Services (DFES) firefighters, and our
dedicated volunteer firefighters, the
Red Cross and other partners, the
City stepped in to assist in bushfire
recovery and education. On behalf of
the City, I would like to acknowledge
the dedication and hard work of our
volunteer firefighters and emergency
services personnel who put their lives
at risk to keep our families safe.
I would also like to recognise the
hundreds of hours of voluntary time
donated by our surf lifesavers who
patrol our beaches. The care and
compassion demonstrated by our
volunteers and residents are qualities of
a progressive community, which is built
on the foundations of our Pioneers.
As a full-time Mayor, I take my
responsibility to listen and represent
the views of the community very
seriously. We are a stronger community
when we listen to each other and work
together and this has been evident
during the past 12 months. I would
like to sincerely thank all Councillors for
their support and commitment to the
City of Wanneroo. I would also like to
thank our Chief Executive Officer, Mr
Daniel Simms, his Executive Team and
our staff. Everything we achieve would
not be possible without the support
and input of our residents, local
businesses and community groups.
Our City is full of potential and I am
honoured to be part of a team that
ensures we continue to work towards
a stronger tomorrow for future
generations.
Tracey Roberts JP
Mayor
| ANNUAL REPORT 2014/2015 | CITY OF WANNEROO
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