Mid West Regional Council (MWRC) and Main Roads WA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will ensure the future participation of six councils within the region’s road network development.
The Shires of Coorow, Mingenew, Morawa, Mullewa, Perenjori and Three Springs signed the MoU, allowing them to participate in the delivery of road maintenance services to sections of the Western Australian road network on behalf of Main Roads WA.
Formed in 2006, MWRC is a new level of Local Government that brings together seven member shires. It aims to strengthen the region through unity.
CEO Suzanne Ward said this MoU was very much in accordance with the Council’s original purpose for establishment.
“The Regional Council was established to provide services on a regional basis to achieve sustainable communities, and signing this Memorandum of Understanding will help us to achieve that,” she said.
The initiation of the MoU follows on from Main Roads WA’s development of its Integrated Services Arrangements (ISAs), a new strategy to deliver road asset management services on Western Australia’s road network operating under a ‘best for network’ approach.
The new ISAs encourage Main Roads WA to operate within a culture of open communication and collaborative decision making, as well as providing sustainable long term involvement of Local Government and regionally based suppliers where a viable business case exists.
Suzanne Ward said that under the MoU services being considered by councils on behalf of Main Roads WA include various maintenance tasks and inspections.
“The services may include shoulder grading, routine road inspections and maintenance, litter collection, preservation of stopping places, and reconstruction and rehabilitation of drainage,” she said. “The shires may also be involved in minor construction projects.”
The potential for the shires to work cooperatively in supplying plant, equipment and labour would provide a local financial return and ensure that work is delivered with an element of local pride and ownership.
For further information contact Suzanne Ward on
(08) 9921 0521.
