Rate rise pegged to index in shire's $7 million budget
RATEPAYERS in the Denmark shire face a 4.5 per cent lift in rates in the 2008-09 budget brought down last week.
The total operating revenue of the budget is $7.03 million of which $3.4 million will be raised through rates.
The council earmarked $150,000 for a local planning strategy, infrastructure plan and strategic plan, three documents which will guide the shire's development and growth over the next year and provide a blueprint for a 10-year financial plan.
Refuse collection charges have increased 20 per cent due to the cost of having to replace a compactor at the McIntosh Road facility for $135,000.
Also the council had considered buying a compactor for the Peaceful Bay landfill site but, due to the cost, was considering converting this site into a refuse and recycling transfer station.
Domestic rubbish charges are set at $227 weekly, $123.50 fortnightly and $89 for the fortnightly recycling service.
Big ticket items include $876,000 for fire fighting equipment with $250,000 for a 2.4 tanker for the East Denmark brigade.
Along with other purchases, $250,000 will be spent on the Koordabup/Owingup brigade's broad acre unit with $148,000 on Somerset Hill brigade's 1.4 light tanker.
Landscaping and gardening at the Denmark Community Park will account for $250,000 and $253,000 for the chief executive's near-completed house in Beveridge Street.
On behalf of the Department of Environment and Conservation the council will continue widening and sealing the Valley of Giants Road at a cost of $400,000.
Continuation of widening and sealing of the Scotsdale Road will cost $112,000.
The Hollings Road/South Coast Highway intersection will be upgraded at a cost of $168,650.
This work will be similar to the nibs and traffic calming installed at the Strickland Street/South Coast Highway intersection.

Levy for sustainability projects
RATEPAYERS can contribute to a voluntary $20 a rateable property environmental sustainability levy for residential and business properties.
The contribution is voluntary because the council wants ratepayers to see a direct benefit from the levy through environmental and climate change initiatives.
The extent of projects adopted through the levy will depend on the amount contributed.
Money could be spent on a part-time position which could be created to help implement the projects.
On the list are the Cities for Climate Protection projects such as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and their water campaigns.
The council could participate in the energy and water 'demand management' initiatives with Western Power and the Water Corporation.
A vehicle replacement scheme based on greater vehicle safety and the
Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide could be adopted, and a vehicle emissions offset revegetation area could be created within the shire.
The council could increase its green energy purchases from 25-50 per cent and develop a water management plan for its buildings, parks and reserves.

Tourism allocation trimmed
THE Denmark Shire Council earmarked $100,000 to Denmark Tourism Inc. in last week's budget, $10,000 less than it requested.
The council decided after two budget workshops that $80,000 would be set aside for the visitor centre's operating subsidy, not $90,000 DTI asked for.
Another allocation of $20,000 will match DTI's destination marketing plan of $40,000.
Shire chief executive Dale Stewart said the decision had occurred after much debate and was agreed to by the majority consensus (7-4) of the 11 councillors present.
This eventual allocation, including the overall budget, was carried at the budget meeting by a unanimous decision of the 10 councillors voting. Two were absent.
In a letter to members DTI chairman John Sharpham said that at the preliminary budget session the $90,000 was 'voted down' and a recommendation for a $70,000 grant plus $20,000 taken to the budget meeting.
"Cr Kim Barrow (shire president), who represents council on our board, gave a strong speech arguing that our submission for $90,000 plus $20,000 be supported," Prof Sharpham wrote.

Backing for low energy project
A UTITILIES and local government-backed community project is aiming to make the use of water and energy in Denmark and Walpole more efficient.
The project is offering households in Denmark and Walpole (including holiday homes) free energy saving light bulbs and flow controllers for showers, also installed free of charge.
Included are free tap aerators fitted into compatible kitchen and bathroom taps.
The project also includes a survey of 500 homes and businesses to ascertain what electrical appliances are common in the area.
The offer is only open for a limited time and residents are urged to book a preferred time for the free service by calling 1800 882 803 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) or email denmarkwalpole@lowenergy.com.au
To be eligible for the offer residents must have live or have a home in Denmark or Walpole, this can be a rented or holiday home.
The energy-saving light bulbs, flow controllers and tap aerators will fit most fitting but not all.
Incompatible fittings, including dimmer lights, sensor lights and halogen down-lights can't be changed.

Memorial fund planned
GREEN SKILLS is calling for ideas for the use of donations to a memorial fund to honour Denmark environmentalist and artist Ivor Bell, who died recently.
So far, Green Skills has received more than $1800 in donations towards the fund.
Nicola Le Breton of Green Skills said many ideas had been suggested, including a sculpture garden at the tip shop and a community vegetable garden.
Another idea was an anthology of stories by people who have been inspired by Ivor to make a difference.
"There has even been talk of setting up an ongoing memorial foundation which, in sympathy with Ivor's varied interests, would foster activities that benefit the environment as well as the community," she said.
Anyone interested in joining a committee which would decide the best way to honour Ivor's life, including the best use of the donations received, should contact Green Skills on 9848 1019 or email denmark@greenskills.org.au
Offerings of mosaic pieces for the sculpture garden at the tip shop can be deposited in the labelled box at the Green Skills behind Denmark Environment Centre.

Garden open for all to share
JEAN and Eric Duncan easy-care waterwise garden in, Ella's Meadow, Tearle Court, open on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 from 10am-4.30pm.
In 2005 they bought their hilltop 8000sqm block, with spectacular views of Wilson Inlet and the Nullaki Peninsula.
The couple wanted a park-like garden with wide grass - not lawn - areas.
"We decided there would be no boundary fences and that we were happy with our local kangaroos wandering freely, even though we knew plants would be nibble and sometimes destroyed," Eric said.
Also part of Australia's Open Garden Scheme, Kane and Michelle Randle's 0.4ha garden at Chimes Spa Retreat at 467 Mr Shadforth Road will be open on the same days.
This features bird-attracting endemics such as adenanthus, hibbertia, callistemons, Melaleuca armillaris (bracelet honey myrtle) and Melaleuca nesophila (western tea myrtle) in a secluded garden.
Established trees provide shed and tranquillity with walks on the sloping site to a fish-pond spanned by a bridge.


 

Tributes to Ivor go to "About Denmark"



The Denmark Bulletin

The Denmark Bulletin is a privately-owned tabloid newspaper, folded to present a quarter-fold cover for ease of distribution and handling.

The Bulletin is published fortnightly, with 3, 000 copies delivered to every letterbox, post office box and RMB in the Denmark shire, which includes Nornalup.

Copies are also distributed in Youngs Siding and Walpole, to Perth subscribers, and through local newsagencies.

Extra copies are also distributed to accommodation houses and tourist outlets during peak holiday times.

Denmark guaranteed

Our local circulation is guaranteed and readership of the Bulletin far exceeds that of any other newspaper distributed in this area.

Most residents read the Bulletin from cover to cover and it is often kept as a reference until a new edition arrives.

Essential reading

The Denmark Bulletin is essential reading for south coast residents. It reports on council issues, local happenings, achievements and personalities.

Community groups and sporting clubs use the Bulletin to keep their members informed and a lively Letters to the Editor section provides a forum for vigorous debate on a wide range of issues.

Our regular advertisers include retailers, eateries, real estate firms, tourist businesses, builders, tradesmen, natural health practitioners and wide range of other service providers.

The Bulletin Trades and Services section and Classifieds are an essential tool for householders and the local commercial sector.