Mayor: Council planning ahead

West Wimmera Shire mayor Bruce Meyer has spoken of a need for people and organisations to take a different approach while working through the COVID-19 pandemic. Cr Meyer has provided insight into West Wimmera Shire Council operations to The Weekly Advertiser.

With restrictions placed on everybody due to the COVID-19 situation, it means that changes are being made to the way councils operate.

We all hope these measures are very temporary and life can get back to normal as soon as possible.

West Wimmera Shire Council is continuing its capital works program without having to lay off any staff, and most of the works are on track for time and budget.

Edenhope Community Centre still has a few items to finish off, but it is hoped that a certificate of occupancy will be issued soon. This will enable work to start on moving the library to this new building.

The budget process for the next financial year is continuing, with the council having draft discussions on what will be considered for 2020-2021.

Staff are working on a relief-meal-provision arrangement – to aid people who are vulnerable and unable to get their meals from their usual sources.

Those considered to have a need receive regular checks to make sure they are alright and handling these difficult times.

Anzac Day gatherings had to be restricted this year, but this did not take away from our remembrance of those who made a huge sacrifice to keep our country safe and free. The State Government has determined that council meetings can be held online for the next few months – this will make it easier to meet the social-distancing requirements.

However, I do look forward to returning to the usual way of running meetings, because technology is never foolproof.

We have already experienced difficulties with connections and sound control – our internet services in this area are far from perfect.

Another change is that we have received a directive from the Federal Department of Home Affairs regarding citizenship ceremonies.

From now on, they are to be online using a secure video link rather than face-to-face.

The trialling of this new mode of ceremony has been successful at other councils, and West Wimmera will also participate in this manner as the need arises.

Before this directive, our most recent ceremony was on March 18 in the Edenhope Council Chamber, when two new citizens, Mr Chaudhary Wasif and Mrs Lesley Hunting, received their citizenship.

I officiated at this ceremony, which was reduced in length and process to accommodate the emerging COVID-19 situation at the time.

Mrs Hunting was accompanied by her husband Mal Hunting, however other family members stayed away due to the health warnings.

I must say it felt quite unwelcoming on our part to not share our traditional morning tea – however, this did not appear to diminish Mrs Hunting’s delight in receiving her citizenship.