A regular feature, this month we have interviewed two Councillors from Western Australia
Mayor Ron Yuryevich, City of Kalgoorlie Boulder, Western Australia
Q. How long have you been on council?
I was first elected in 1988 to Shire of Boulder. The subsequent amalgamation of the Shire of Boulder and the Town of Kalgoorlie caused a complete spill of both councils and I was elected to the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder in 1989. Deputy Mayor 1989 to 1992 and elected Mayor from 1992 to 1999. I was re-elected Mayor in 2003 for a four year term.
In the period 1989 to 1999 I served on various state and federal executives including ALGA, President of Country Urban Councils Association (CUCA) and President of the Western Australian Municipal Association (WAMA) Deputy President of the Australian Airports Association plus others.
I was awarded life membership of WALGA.
Q. Can you tell us about your community?
Kalgoorlie Boulder is a mining community 112 year old, 600 km east of Perth. We are Australia’s Gold Capital and we cover an area of 95,228 square kilometres. We have a population of approximately 33,000 but because of the inaccurate recording of ABS census in not recording the fly in, fly out residents the actual population is believed to be more like 37,000. Our budget is about $35 million.
The city is the service centre of the Eastern Goldfields mining area and is home of the Super Pit which recently celebrated the production of the 50 millionth ounce of gold to be produced out of the Golden Mile. Annual gold production is around $2.3 billion per year and nickel production is about $1.7 billion dollars a year. The mining community in our area contributes $107 million in royalties to the State Government each year with very little being returned to the community from the State. We are currently undergoing a period of expansion and growth with large national chains such as Target building a full line store in Kalgoorlie. We are very much a can do city and don’t sit back and wait for things to happen.
Q. What are some of the challenges that you’ve faced in Local Government?
Going back to 1989 the biggest challenge then was to overcome the negative element in the city to enable the council of the day to borrow $9 million to take ownership of the airport and build a new complex. Door knocking was the order of the day to ensure the loan poll was not successful which would have stopped the council in its desire to better service the area. We were successful by about 76 votes over the total vote of about 5600. Today we have an excellent airport business contributing a return of investment to the ratepayers of about $1 million per year and a large residential subdivision on the old airport site, which is fully occupied.
Another challenge was to build a new office complex to house the newly amalgamated council, which took some time and not without much grandstanding by a section of the community. However, common sense prevailed and a new office was built and has recently under gone an extension to accommodate our staff and services. The largest challenge over the years, and in fact is still ongoing, is to get the State and Federal Governments to recognise the worth of regional areas and to acknowledge the efforts of the people operating the engine room of the State of Western Australia.
Q. What are some of the issues facing your City?
The big issue for our area is the Fly in, Fly out situation. This is where some of the workforce is recruited from other areas including Perth, Adelaide and New Zealand and are flown into Kalgoorlie Boulder or the surrounding area to work for two weeks then they return home for a period. This practice, which is termed a regional cancer, is of great concern to all regional mining communities. If this issue is not addressed by the Federal and State Government then the future of smaller communities is in doubt.
Recently I chaired a meeting which the State Minister for Planning attended in Kalgoorlie-Boulder to discuss this issue and subsequently two working parties have been formed to look closer at this issue. Participants represent State and Local Government, business and mining.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good councillor?
I believe a good councillor should be approachable and available, fair in all aspects, have an ability to communicate effectively and have both eyes on the issues of the community, rather than one eye on the next election and one eye of the issue of the day.
Q. What qualities can young people bring to Local Government?
Young people provide a different aspect to the issues of the day and real insight in the wants and needs of the younger generation. It doesn’t matter how effective your research is on a subject it can always be underlined by the physical presence of a younger councillor adding to the debate on the day.
Councillor Janet Davidson, City of Perth, Western Australia
Q. How long have you been on council?
I have been on the City of Perth Council since the 14 February 1998 by election and only had 14 months before running for a full four year term in May 1999. I was successful again in 2003, so I have a further four year term until 2007.
Q. Describe your city.
The City of Perth was restructured in 1995 emphasising the CBD and its surrounding precincts of Crawley (mainly residential), East Perth (mix of business and residential), Northbridge (premier entertainment district plus residential) and West Perth (mix of business and residential). Perth is Western Australia’s capital city and the premier retail and tourism centre. We are as close to the major Asian countries as we are to the eastern seaboard, which makes Western Australia a major trading hub in the region.
Q. Can you tell us about yourself?
I holidayed in Perth in 1973 and emigrated less than a year later (January 1974) from the United Kingdom. With me were my husband, Michael, and 18 month old son, David. We took up residency close to Perth, where we have lived for 30 years, along with another son, Jonathan (born in Perth). My background has been the hospitality industry, TAFE and Education as a lecturer in business studies and an administrator. I have a Master’s in Management and set up my own business in the City in the information industry. Presently, I am Executive Officer to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (WA State Regional Committee). I am an active Justice of the Peace, Chairman of the City of Perth Superannuation Fund and the City’s Budget and Employment Committees. I am secretary to the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (WA Branch) and keep busy on a number of volunteer organisations.
Q. What are some of the challenges that you’ve faced in Local Government?
- Listening to the concerns of ratepayers and reconciling the decisions made for hopefully a balanced decision with a win win outcome.
- Time management, which is juggling the various roles and enormity of paperwork of a capital city.
- Instrumental in restructuring the committee system and streamlining processes.
- Master planning for a capital city and working through a myriad of jurisdictions with regard to land ownership, environmental and sustainability issues and planning policies and guidelines.
Q. What issues are important to you?
Sound financial management and governance. Open and accountable government by ensuring appropriate community consultation. Critical to the above is being aware of ratepayers’ needs and the City’s staff having the requisite resources to carry out the tasks.
Q. What are some of the issues facing your City?
The following large capital projects:
- refurbishing the malls
- restoration of the City of Perth Town Hall
- relocation of WA Symphony Orchestra to the Performing Arts Precinct within the Concert Hall
- enhancement of retail and tourism with the recently opened Perth Convention Exhibition Centre
- marketing and events in the City and Northbridge and other related areas
- foreshore redevelopment with nodes of activity.
Planning for the whole city and its environs. The greatest challenge is the sinking of the railway to link the City and Northbridge. Ensuring the rate base is at the appropriate level to carry out the City’s vision but not as a burden to the ratepayers.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good councillor?
Being a good listener, taking everything into consideration and making a decision on the individual merit of each situation. Being a good speed reader but having the background, qualifications and expertise to make a considered decision. A good communicator, with individuals, groups and large forums. An efficient organiser of time and people management skills.
Q. What qualities can young people bring to Local Government?
A perspective of youth that is critical to the making of a capital city. Fortunately the City of Perth has a Youth Advisory Council and a Youth Development Officer. Like most capital cities there is always that fine balance between a wide range of groups and their needs. The City of Perth does not have a ‘young’ Councillor but if the occasion arises, we should embrace the prospect and encourage the diversity of opinion.
