Chief Executive Officer, Wally Lenyszyn, is adamant that the role of Local Government must change from merely concentrating on basic services and landuse controls.
“Councils must be actively participating in stimulating community, political, economic, cultural, infrastructure and educational elements, towards ensuring quality of life, economic wellbeing, and population retention, that sustain hope in the future,” he said.
Local Government is the catalyst for pulling together major stakeholders, both within and outside the area, to get new ventures off the ground.
“Look at what you have in your area and what opportunities present themselves,” he said. “In Kojonup, our Landcare groups recognised that farmers need to have their soil tested regularly, and were currently sending samples interstate and, in some cases, overseas.
“Council decided to follow up on this, bringing in the University of Western Australia, the Great Southern Development Commission and farming organisation, the Kondinon Group. As a result, we are currently working on a $5 million proposal to establish a Centre of Soil Excellence.”
With the support of the State Government, expressions of interest have been called to evaluate the project. The proposed high tech facility would provide soil and water testing, as well as research and development opportunities through the University. The Centre, to be built in Kojonup, would offer services Australia wide and would be an independent facility, not tied to commercial interests.
“With the bulk of funding coming from our business partners, Council is likely to provide the land and headworks” Wally Lenyszyn said. “Federal and State funding will also be sought. As with most major projects, Council acts as the facilitator and seeks funding from outside sources.”
On smaller scale projects, Council will set up a venture but then seek a business partner to operate the facility.
This is the case with Council’s Bottled Water Project.‘The Spring’ located in the heart of Kojonup was what drew the first inhabitants, the Noongar people, to this locality. Similarly, after European settlement, Noongar people directed surveyor, Alfred Hillman, and his party to this fresh water source, leading to the town being established.
With the growing popularity of bottled water, Council has seized on the opportunity to harvest and sell this natural asset. The $50,000 project is expected to be in operation by the end of this year. Council will set up the facility and then lease the operation as a going concern.
Kojonup Bottled Water will also provide an excellent avenue to further promote ‘The Spring’ as a popular tourist attraction in the region.
Council is also planning to establish its own building team. Working with local tradesmen, it will provide services to other Councils in the Great Southern Region. The Building Team will also be offered incentives to source private sector work.
Establishing a sign making business to service Councils in the region is also being investigated.
