Road safety, coastal erosion and waste management the top issues on ratepayers’ minds in the Shire of Harvey

Road safety, coastal erosion and waste management were some of the top issues on ratepayers’ minds shared during a series of community meetings run by the Shire of Harvey. Throughout August, a series of meetings were held from Yarloop to Australind to better understand the issues impacting all townships within the shire. A shire spokesperson said while no formal decisions were made at the meetings, feedback gathered would play an important role in shaping future planning, budgeting, and project priorities. “Attendance was strong across the various locations, with good representation from residents, community groups, and local stakeholders,” the spokesperson said. “The main themes were community safety, road and traffic management, waste and recycling services, environmental management — particularly coastal protection and bushfire preparedness — and investment in community facilities such as playgrounds, sporting grounds and public spaces.” In Harvey, the community expressed concerns around cat containment, enclosed dog parks, public toilet signage, drainage of the Harvey Recreation Grounds and the shire’s rating increases. They also discussed updates on the heritage precinct, an EV charging station in town and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s recent assessment on the Myalup Pines area. In Australind the community discussed ongoing projects such as the Leschenault Leisure Centre’s court expansion, the Ridley Place Foreshore redevelopment and the Australind Community Precinct. They also discussed the shire’s climate change initiatives, the Federal Government’s planned offshore windfarm, corella culling and the presence of electric bikes on footpaths. Brunswick discussed the status of the shire’s FOGO waste, verges and curbing in the town, and methods used for notifying community about Planning Scheme updates. In Yarloop, road safety, youth engagement and the Yarloop workshop project was discussed, and in Binningup and Myalup, coastal erosion, protecting the natural assets and the development of trials were a focus. The shire spokesperson said the meetings were positive and constructive, with residents appreciating the opportunity to speak directly with councillors and staff. “These meetings are an important tool for community engagement — they provide a valuable forum for residents across all regions to share ideas and raise concerns,” the spokesperson said.