Published on Friday, 22 August 2025 at 2:42:41 PM
Friday 22 August 2025
Welcome to the 6th update I have provided as Commissioner. As much of the work I am doing in my role is done with the close support of the Shire’s Administration, I will continue the practice I started with my 5th Update to make those updates jointly with the Shire’s CEO.
Yesterday we conducted our regular August meeting on country at the Looma Aboriginal Community. We think it’s important that Local Government is visible in Aboriginal Communities, particularly given the population distribution and service requirements we have in the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley. It’s been some years since SDWK held a meeting in a remote community, so we are pleased to re-commence that practice.
As Commissioner, I am now about four months into a six months appointment.
I spoke to the community at our last monthly meeting about an initial focus on Shire cashflow arrangements particularly with the State Government and then more broadly on finance, setting a budget for the coming year, followed by establishing the basis for several challenging but impactful decisions.
Particularly, those decisions outlined were:
- changing the responsibility arrangements for the Derby Port and reducing the liabilities for the Shire, while maintaining and enhancing community use including recreational boating access and existing subleases; and,
- about developing new arrangements for the delivery of youth services in both Derby and Fitzroy Crossing, in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in each town.
These decisions were both made at the July meeting and we can report that there is good progress.
Discussions are progressing well with the State Government about the Port and I hope, during my time in the Commissioner role, to be able to advance those discussions to the point of having a draft agreement upon which we can base some community consultation, prior to a decision being made, most likely by a newly elected Council. I also hope to be in a position to confirm the pool of funds we will have available to make sure that community and recreational uses can be further enhanced.
The Administration is working on a process to engage with ACCO’s to develop a partnership for youth services delivery. Again, this will come back to Council for a final decision.
We have also been able to commence the process to develop a Council Plan that will incorporate a strategic community planning approach. Consultation has commenced and a community survey is an early stage component of that Council Plan. Please provide your input where you can, the plan will only be as good as your input.
The preparation of an Economic Development Strategy has kicked off with the project control group being established. We think we have that process well structured with input representing both our towns and across our community and demographics. The primary input to the Economic Development Strategy will come when the widespread consultation across the Shire commences.
Both a Council Plan and an Economic Development Strategy are crucial foundations to base Shire wide priorities. It is worth noting that the Council Plan is mandatory for Local Government to have. We expect both will be well advanced by the time an incoming Council is able to provide their input and finalise the plans.
It is worth pointing out that structuring a sound basis of forward planning is not just an administrative process, but it also paves the way for the Shire to be seeking a greater level of external funding for initiatives and services in the Shire. This must be an important objective or the Shire in the next few years and it all starts with sound planning basis built upon strong community engagement.
Internally, we have recently focused on corporate governance. Yesterday’s meeting decided on the appointment of a contractor to provide internal audit functions to support the Shire’s administration. This will be the first internal auditor the Shire has appointed and will add significant capacity to assist the Administration to strategically deal with organisational risk issues. That capability will build on the enhanced Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee process. That Committee met yesterday with its two new independent members. Thanks to Dani Cornish and Jeff Porra for stepping into those important roles.
We are also planning on having a Long Term Financial Plan in place or well advanced by the time my Commissioner term concludes in October. This will be invaluable for the next Council, particularly, as they start to consider and prepare their next budget. Again, worth noting that a Long Term Financial Plan is a mandatory requirement for Local Government.
I hope these strengthened governance, financial management and compliance initiatives are exactly the foundations a newly elected Council will need.
Speaking of a newly elected Council, it is timely to remind all residents of the Shire about some key dates in the election cycle.
Nominations for Council member positions and for the Shire President open on Thursday, 28 August and close at 4pm on Thursday, 4 September.
There are prospective candidates, many have spoken to me already and I expect more. However, the nomination process is via the WA Electoral Commission Returning Officer Mr Garry Waldron. Nominations are made in a process that Mr Waldron oversees. Please consult the Shire’s website with details about nominations and voting.
Not only do we encourage people to stand for election, but from right across the Shire we encourage all eligible voters to have your say in the Shire elections in October.
Jeff Gooding Tamara Clarkson
Commissioner Chief Executive Officer
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