shire of kojonup · shire of kojonup community strategic plan 2013 2023 3 shire president’s...

Shire of Kojonup / Community Strategic Plan / 2013 - 2023 1

Shire of Kojonup

MAY 2013

2013 - 2023

Community Strategic Plan


The Kojonup Community Strategic Plan does not purport to be advice, and is provided as a high level planning document for the Shire of Kojonup’s use. Some information may become superseded through changes in the community, evolving technology and industry practices. Western Australia, March 2013

Prepared with the assistance of 361 Degrees Stakeholder Engagement Services

Exploring New Boundaries


Shire President’s Foreword

Thank you to everyone who participated in the development of this strategy.

Plans of this nature are a great way for the community to gather, and together discuss their aspirations for Kojonup and the lifestyle we wish to share and enjoy.

This plan outlines some issues, some solutions and some areas for further work and consultation.

Out of this plan other more detailed plans will be prepared, and annual budgets formulated.

This plan is a wonderful foundation and will be reviewed regularly, to retain some flexibility to external forces and our changing needs and wants.

Please continue to be involved with the community, and participate where you can in the realisation of this plan, the evolution of Kojonup, and improvement in our lifestyle for all our residents.

Cr Jane Trethowan

President, Shire of Kojonup


Community profile 5

Integrated planning framework 6

Engaging the community 7

Community strategic plan 8

Commitment register 9

Being well governed 11

Feeling good about living in Kojonup 12

Creating opportunities for youth 13

Living in a safe community 14

Staying active & entertained 15

Being healthy 16

Supporting main street 17

Building prosperity 18

Contents


Community ProfileThe Shire of Kojonup covers an area of 2,937 sq km in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia. The Shire includes 905 km of sealed roads and 344 km of unsealed roads.

The 2011 census records Kojonup’s population as 1,982 people, which represents a decline of 169 people from the 2006 census. In 2011, the overwhelming majority of residents (1637 people) were born in Australia and 98 of these identified themselves as Indigenous.

As for Kojonup’s age profile, in 2011 the number of individuals aged 19 years or younger was 509, and they accounted for 26 per cent of the population. The bulk of the population were working age (20–64 years), accounting for 1,136 or 57 per cent. Residents aged 65 years and older accounted for 17 per cent of the community.

In 2011, the proportion of the community actively engaged in the workforce was 51 per cent. Of the Shire’s total workforce, 43 per cent were engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing. The provision of retail services employed a further 8 per cent, and education and training and health care and social assistance employed a combined 12 per cent of the total local workforce. Together these industry groupings accounted for 63 per cent of all employment in the Shire.

The Shire of Kojonup covers an area of 2,937sq km in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia. The Shire includes 905km of sealed roads and 344km of unsealed roads.


Integrated planning frameworkThe Shire of Kojonup Council welcomes the opportunity to engage with residents to determine the future priorities of the shire. As a community-inspired document, this strategic community plan articulates a partnership between the council and the Kojonup community. Realising the community’s aspirations will require the active involvement and commitment of residents, working proactively with staff and councillors.

The Department of Local Government’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework and Guidelines provide the basis for the Shire of Kojonup’s strategic planning process. The framework and guidelines outline the minimum requirements the Shire must undertake to comply with the Local Government Act 1995.

The Shire of Kojonup is required under sec. 5.56 (1) of the Local Government Act 1995 to complete the following:

• A community strategic plan that clearly links the community’s aspirations with the Council’s vision and long term strategy, and

• A corporate strategic plan that integrates resourcing plans and specific council plans with the strategic community plan.

This document delivers the first part of the requirement and will inform the Shire’s four year corporate business planning cycle. This community strategic plan will be reviewed for currency and amended at the following times:

• March 2015 – First review, desktop review by the Shire• March 2017 – Second review, full review involving members of the

community.

The integrated planning framework used by the Shire of Kojonup is outlined in the diagram below

10 yearCommunity

Strategic Plan

Statutory Role &

Responsibilities

Indentifies CommunityAspirations

Delivered Through

Commitments

Informs the 4 year Corporate

Strategic Plan

Resourced in Annual

BudgetsAspirations

Realised


The process used to engage the community to inform this plan is summarised in the diagram below. There were four distinct engagement phases: engagement planning, community surveying, community workshops and community review of the draft plan.

Supporting the four engagement phases were monthly updates in the Kojonup News and targeted invitations to local sporting clubs, associations and organisations in the Shire, informing them of the process and requesting their involvement in the form of a written submission or attendance at the community workshop.

A total of 206 community surveys were completed (both online and in hard copy) and 40 community members attended a community workshop on the 3rd December 2012 to explore future directions.

Drafting the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and communications materials

Advertising and engagement with stakeholders through a community survey

Community workshop to validate, explore and prioritise community feedback

Community consultation on the draft Community Strategic Plan

ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY


community strategic planThis community strategic plan reflects the shared vision of the Shire of Kojonup and the community. The community vision articulated through the engagement

This plan explores the community’s aspirations for the next ten years and articulates the activities the Shire of Kojonup will undertake to achieve these aspirations. The Kojonup community’s aspirations have been grouped into the eight themes indicated in the illustration left.

In this plan, the community’s aspirations in each theme are described, followed by a commitment from the Shire of Kojonup to work towards realising these aspirations. As listed below, each commitment by the Shire includes an implementation timeframe that relates to the Shire’s four year corporate planning cycle.

Short term = 1 to 4 years = Corporate Plan 2013–2017

Medium term = 5 to 8 years = Corporate Plan 2018–2022

Long term = 8 to 12 years = Corporate Plan 2023–2027

In the following pages, the Shire’s commitments are presented in a summarised commitment register. Descriptions of each theme then follow the summary.

2023 Vision

Being well

governed

Supporting main street

Creating opportunities

for youth

Staying active and

entertained

Living in a safe

communityBuilding

prosperity

Feeling good about

living in Kojonup

Being Healthy

Prosperity and happiness through opportunity and commitment, in a safe and well governed community.


FEELING GOOD ABOUT LIVING IN KOJONUP

Promote the funding available under the Shire of Kojonup’s Community Grant Scheme for community events.

Support natural resource management by funding locally based production management organisations.

Draft a Parks, Gardens and Street Trees Policy.

Support community participation in the Clean Up Australia Day Council initiatives.

Support the continuation of the Kojonup Material Recovery Facility and its expansion into other VROC shires.

Monitor other local governments’ experiences in limiting the use of plastic shopping bags and consider options for local implementation.

Explore opportunities, within a regional framework, to improve the use of waste water and storm water for gardens, ovals and other recreation areas.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH

Explore opportunities with local schools and youth organisations to create a Youth Advisory Council to engage and advise the Shire and Councillors on youth issues.

Promote the opportunities for traineeships and apprenticeships within local government.

Partner with Kojonup District High School to promote the advantages of local education.

Advocate for the retention of years 11 and 12 at Kojonup District High School.

Explore opportunities to create adult learning opportunities in Kojonup, with a focus on partnering with local businesses and organisations.

LIVING IN A SAFE COMMUNITY

Undertake a comprehensive traffic and community study to identify the most appropriate solution to reduce heavy vehicle traffic on Albany Highway.

Implement waste water and storm water reuse upgrades and assess the feasibility of a town catchment drainage plan.

Improve communications with Western Power regarding pole management and fire safety.

Encourage residents to report street lighting issues by using social media or other means of communication.

commitment registerBEING WELL GOVERNED

Implement a Shire presence on social media sites and provide regular email updates to promote feedback to and communications with the community.

Explore shared services options with neighbouring local governments to improve efficiencies.

Undertake an asset management planning process to review and rationalise Shire buildings to maximise their use and value to the community.

Review the internal management of community correspondence (both hard and soft) to ensure response times meet community expectations.

Use social media to promote the Shire’s activities and the role of the Shire.


SUPPORTING MAIN STREET

Partner with the community to encourage the creation of a local progress association (or similar) to support the social, economic and environmental advancement of Kojonup.

Undertake a study to identify the opportunities to enhance the main street, taking into consideration current and future uses.

Implement free WIFI access at Kodja Place and explore the feasibility of deploying free WIFI on the main street.

BUILDING PROSPERITY

Advocate on behalf of the businesses and residents with government and telecommunications providers to ensure the community benefits from advances in telecommunications technology.

Draft a local economic development policy to create employment opportunities that attract and retain population in Kojonup.

Identify opportunities to source funding and resources for local projects from the super towns initiative.

Support local tourism initiatives and the Kojonup Tourism Association.

commitment register

BEING HEALTHY

Support the delivery of counselling services in Kojonup by contributing funding to a service provider.

Use social media to promote positive environmental, and waste management and reduction messages in the community.

Review existing access criteria and the financial viability of Shire owned/managed aged care units.

Advocate for the Department of Health to maintain the presence of existing health services and promote their availability throughout the region.

Draft a strategy to increase the number of medical doctors residing in Kojonup and servicing the local community.

Undertake a feasibility study to confirm the financial viability and anticipated use of a medical centre in Kojonup.

Identify a parcel of land suitable for an aged care unit development that will attract private investment in independent living aged care units.

Source funding, within a regional framework, to construct additional independent living aged care units.

STAYING ACTIVE & ENTERTAINED

Establish a User Advisory Committee to make recommendations to improve the utilisation of Kodja Place.

Purchase solar blankets to maintain higher water temperatures at the Kevin O’Halloran Memorial Swimming Pool to increase community use.

Prepare a master plan for the Kojonup recreation precinct.

Investigate community interest and land availability to establish a community garden.

measuring commitmentsThe Shire of Kojonup will undertake a formal internal assessment of its progress towards achieving the commitments in March 2015. The community will be invited to comment on the Shire’s progress at the subsequent assessment in March 2017. During this assessment, the existing commitments may be altered and new commitments added to align with changing community aspirations.

In many instances, the achievement of the community’s aspirations will require the involvement of others including individuals, businesses, community organisations, Commonwealth, State and other Local Governments. The measureable activity to be undertaken by the Shire of Kojonup is highlighted in each commitment by the orange colour. For example, where the commitment is to implement, the measurable outcome is the process used by the Shire to implement the particular community aspiration.


Our shire councillors are locals; although they have tough decisions to make they do their best to be fair to all sides...

Being well governed We are seeking to revitalise our relationship with our local government. The underpinning principles of this new relationship would include:

• The Shire taking a leadership role in articulating and implementing initiatives to realise community aspirations, with particular attention in the areas of: • An improved medical centre• Heavy vehicle traffic on Albany Highway• Arresting population decline• Attracting new industries

• Consultation with residents on issues that directly impact them.• Capital expenditure based on sound research that helps us to realise the

community’s aspirations.

We have little appetite for formal amalgamation with neighbouring local government areas, but acknowledge that sharing resources as a group of councils generates efficiencies. This contrasts with the real fear that a closer relationship with a “super-charged” Katanning will be detrimental to the community’s interests, as indicated in the following sentiment, “... amalgamation of local government councils as proposed by the State Government will jeopardise the maintenance of all aspects of the Kojonup community life that we enjoy”.

We would welcome the introduction of a standard residential addressing system across the Shire to make our life easier when dealing with utilities and government agencies. This would also ensure compatibility with emerging mapping technology.

“

“

Shire’s Commitment Timeframe

Implement a Shire presence on social media sites and provide regular email updates to promote enhanced feedback and communications with the community. Short term

Use social media to promote the Shire’s activities and the role of the Shire. Short term

Undertake an asset management planning process to review and rationalise Shire buildings to maximise their use and value to the community. Short term

Review the internal management of community correspondence (both hard and soft) to ensure response times meet community expectations. Short term

Explore shared services options with neighbouring local governments to improve efficiencies. Short term


Feeling good about living in KojonupLife in Kojonup is about good people, good climate and access to good facilities. Our local culture is considered progressive by many and friendly by all. We are proud and protective of our social and sporting clubs, which assist in fostering our strong sense of belonging.

We acknowledge that maintaining all that is good about living in Kojonup requires all residents to listen and respect alternative opinions and new ideas, particularly on issues that have the potential to divide our community. This sentiment is captured in the following statement: “Don’t take it for granted that Kojonup is the best place to live; we have to make it that way by seeing what is going on in towns around us and in other parts of the world and adopting good ideas.”

As in most regional communities, volunteering is critical to the delivery of many important community services in Kojonup, but there is a sense that volunteering is also a “life sentence”. Creating opportunities to promote and support volunteers is another important element of maintaining our community’s cohesion.

We enjoy the quiet surrounds and the “village feel” of our town, which offers a wide range of goods and services in a compact and accessible location. The proximity of Albany, Bunbury and Katanning provides easy access to major services without the disadvantages of living in the larger regional centres. Enhancing the town’s village feel, and protecting residents from the encroachment of increased heavy vehicle traffic on Albany Highway are widely acknowledged as significant future challenges.

As a community dependent on agricultural industries, managing the risks associated with climate change is important to protecting our rural lifestyle. Changes in rain fall reliability, reduced water supply, increased fires and drought may be common in a future where the climate is less predictable.

We have a good community and lots of friendly people.

“ “


Promote the funding available under the Shire of Kojonup’s Community Grant Scheme for community events. Short term

Support natural resource management by funding locally based production management organisations. Short term

Support community participation in the Clean Up Australia Day Council initiatives. Short term

Support the continuation of the Kojonup Material Recovery Facility and its expansion into other VROC shires. Short term

Monitor other local governments’ experiences in limiting the use of plastic shopping bags and consider options for local implementation. Short term

Explore opportunities , within a regional framework, to improve the use of waste water and storm water for gardens, ovals and other recreation areas. Short term

Draft a Parks, Gardens and Street Trees Policy. Short term


creating opportunities for youthSt Bernards and Kojonup District High School play several important roles in our community. In addition to educating younger people, the schools assist the community to retain its younger population by offering quality local education, fostering community cohesion by building networks of friendship through to adulthood, and providing a focal point for sporting and recreation activities.

Retaining years 11 and 12 and increasing the investment in the high school to support the introduction of year 7 are important elements in maintaining the quality of local education and retaining youth in Kojonup, as expressed in the following desire “... to have high quality education available in Kojonup to encourage families to educate their children locally for as many years as possible”. Delivering adult learning and vocational courses locally would extend our community’s commitment to education into adulthood.

While acknowledging that the pull factors that draw youth from Kojonup to the larger regional centres and Perth are difficult to counter, there is the ability to provide a diversity of local activities and employment opportunities that can act as incentives for young people and their families to stay in Kojonup. For example, “We need more entertainment for the young generation; if the young generation don’t like this, they will obviously leave to find something better”.

We would like to better understand and moderate the undesirable behaviours of youth, and acknowledge that the solutions may extend beyond facility upgrades and sporting activities. Creating safe places for young people to socialise, with access to support and counselling, are are important ingredients to promoting sound individual judgement, good mental health and social cohesion. During consultations, a resident expressed concern at “... the rate of suicide and lack of activities for young people,” and suggested that Kojonup should not recoil from being, “... a place were teenagers can party”.

I would like to add more for kids and teenagers to do.

“ “


Explore opportunities with local schools and youth organisations to create a Youth Advisory Council to engage and advise the Shire and Councillors on youth issues. Short term

Promote the opportunities for traineeships and apprenticeships within local government. Short term

Partner with Kojonup District High School to promote the advantages of local education. Short term

Advocate for the retention of years 11 and 12 at Kojonup District High School. Short term

Explore opportunities to create adult learning opportunities in Kojonup, with a focus on partnering with local businesses and organisations. Long term


living in a safe communityThere is no sense that Kojonup is anything but a safe environment to live in, for example: “I find it safe to walk alone, neighbours are generally keen to keep an eye on each other and help when needed”. Nonetheless, there are areas where improvements can be made. Road safety is a prominent concern and this encompasses road maintenance, the presence of heavy vehicles, and quality footpaths.

Most of us consider that the dual roles of Albany Highway as the town’s main street and the major heavy haulage route between Perth and Albany are incompatible. Resolving the risks associated with pedestrians and light vehicles interacting with heavy vehicles has been a focus of local conversations for many years. The challenge for the future is to divert / slow heavy vehicles while at the same time not discouraging the passing light vehicle traffic that supports and sustains local businesses. The complexity of this issue is reflected in the passion that accompanies local discussions about community safety and economic sustainability, as reflected in the following: “Bypass for town, but only for large vehicles. Do not make it for everyone, otherwise it will kill the town”.

Improving the availability and quality of footpaths in our town would enhance recreation options for residents, particularly the elderly, and most importantly, it would ensure that residents can safely walk and cycle around the town centre. Quality footpaths between the Albany Highway, Springhaven and Loton Place would be particularly useful.

Low crime rate: one feels safe even at night.

“ “


Undertake a comprehensive traffic and community study to identify the most appropriate solution to reduce heavy vehicle traffic on Albany Highway. Short term

Implement waste water and storm water reuse upgrades and assess the feasibility of a town catchment drainage plan. Short term

Improve communications with Western Power regarding pole management and fire safety. Short term

Encourage residents to report street lighting issues by using social media or other means of communication. Short term


staying active and entertainedOur sporting and recreation facilities are important community gathering places and centres for community activities. The standard and maintenance of these facilities is generally good, with a few exceptions. The show grounds have been identified as requiring an upgrade, with suggestions that the annual Kojonup Show be relocated to a more central location for higher visibility and improved access to facilities.

Heating the Kevin O’Halloran Memorial Swimming Pool is one of our most discussed facility upgrades. For youth, heating would provide the opportunity for a year-round activity that promotes an active and positive lifestyle choice. For older residents the availability of a hydrotherapy pool could be an opportunity to maintain their fitness and speed up recovery from ailments.

Providing the means to access these facilities by foot would require more than the provision of quality footpaths; rest points and convenience facilities strategically positioned along popular walking routes would also be needed. The construction of toilets at the cemetery would be welcomed, and the expansion of the skate park is also a priority for our town’s youth.

Acknowledging that not all residents are actively engaged in sport, there is a need for a range of activities that cater for a variety of tastes. Two non-sporting options for further exploration are: movie / cinema nights and the creation of a community garden. Other suggestions for additional sporting-related facilities include:

• BMXtrack• Waterslide• Indoorbasketballandnetball

facilities• Hockeyturfoval

• Dragracing/burnoutpad• Paintball• Grasstennistournament• Mini-golf• Tenpinbowling I like living in Kojonup

because we have nice facilities and good sporting grounds.

“ “


Establish a User Advisory Committee to make recommendations to improve the utilisation of Kodja Place. Short term

Purchase solar blankets to maintain higher water temperatures at the Kevin O’Halloran Memorial Swimming Pool to increase community use. Short term

Prepare a master plan for the Kojonup recreational precinct. Short term

Investigate community interest and land availability to establish a community garden. Short term


being healthyWith 17 per cent of Kojonup’s population aged 65 years or older, the maintenance of health and aged care facilities is a major community priority. Access to quality and diverse aged care facilities close to the shops, friends and family is an expectation of our senior residents and their families.

It is anticipated that our ageing population will challenge the ability of local health services to continue to meet community needs. Increased demand for visits by medical and allied health professionals, and additional two bedroom independent living units are anticipated. A resident described the situation as: “Especially needed is more independent living for the elderly who need to come to town/or downgrade to smaller homes. Common consensus being a need for two bedroom units similar to those on Loton Close”.

The construction of a new medical centre that caters for visiting health professionals and provides upgraded facilities and technology is important to achieving improved health outcomes. Perhaps more importantly, maintaining the service of a local doctor is the “glue” that holds the provision of local health services together. Therefore ensuring the ongoing availability of local GP services is a community priority.

Improved access to counselling and mental health services is also a health priority identified during consultations, for instance “... a drop-in centre for people who are distressed, lonely or bereaved; also a referral service to professional counsellors”. These services are typically difficult to access in regional locations and where they are available, access can often involve lengthy waiting periods.

A medical centre to cater for future needs, including doctors, dentist, physio and visiting specialists.

“ “


Support the delivery of counselling services in Kojonup by contributing funding to a service provider. Short term

Use social media to promote positive environmental, and waste management and reduction messages in the community. Short term

Review existing access criteria and the financial viability of Shire owned/ managed aged care units. Short term

Advocate for the Department of Health to maintain the presence of existing health services and promote their availability throughout the region. Short term

Draft a strategy to increase the number of medical doctors residing in Kojonup and servicing the local community. Short term

Undertake a feasibility study to confirm the financial viability and anticipated use of a medical centre in Kojonup. Short term

Advocate for the Department of Health to construct and operate a hydrotherapy pool. Long term

Identify a parcel of land suitable for an aged care unit development that will attract private investment in independent living aged care units. Long term

Source funding, within a regional framework, to construct additional independent living aged care units. Long term


Supporting main streetAlbany Highway in Kojonup is the town’s commercial and retail activity centre, as it is for several neighbouring shires. The central location of Albany Highway and the retail hub has the added bonus of being easily accessible by foot or car.

Enhancing the appeal of Albany Highway, and the town site more generally, through the planting of shady trees, increasing the amount of gardening, placing power lines underground and maintaining heritage buildings would encourage more people to stop in our town and increase the amount of time locals spend in the main street – both of which are important for retail sustainability.

Additional spraying of road side weeds and a focus on eliminating street litter would further increase the general appeal of the town, both for residents and visitors.

The increasing use of online shopping poses competitive challenges for local retailers. Balancing local business sustainability with the community’s desire for extended trading hours (particularly on weekends) and additional retail options, including fast food outlets and clothing retailers, is increasingly difficult when the catchment population is declining and internet shopping is increasing. “It is vital to keep the shoppers in town,” is a wide spread community view. The potential impact of recent government investment that reduces local customers, in favour of Katanning, is an added fear of local business owners.

The establishment of a local chamber of commerce or progress association to support our businesses and our community to tackle future challenges and to achieve their aspirations, independently of the Shire, would bolster both groups. As one resident commented: “I’d also love to see a chamber of commerce that could work with the Shire to help improve business services in town and encourage more business”.

Embracing modern technology is represented in several themes, including education and youth services. For entertainment and tourism, broadcasting WIFI internet in the main street could be an opportunity to “... put Kojonup on the map”.

Knowing neighbours and business owners. You are a person rather than just an anonymous customer.

“

“


Partner with the community to encourage the creation of a local progress association (or similar) to support the social, economic and environmental advancement of Kojonup. Short term

Undertake a study to identify the opportunities to enhance the main street, taking into consideration current and future uses. Short term

Implement free WIFI access at Kodja Place and explore the feasibility of deploying free WIFI on the main street. Short term


The town needs another major industry, creating jobs not related to agriculture.

building prosperityBuilding local economic capacity to generate wealth and provide a variety of local employment opportunities requires sustainable local businesses that meet the needs of the broader market as well as our local community. The following feedback conveys this sentiment: “Trying to juggle the balance of having enough jobs with variety to keep the youth interested in staying here, without needing to attract too much big industry so that we lose what’s the essence of the town, it’s heart”.

Achieving economic diversification by encouraging and supporting new industries is important to our long-term viability and population retention. Tourism is one potential means of diversification and of generating increased income, with potential attractions including Kodja Place, Yeedabirrup Rocks, cycle paths along the old railway track and the enhancement of the main street.

The rising costs of living, particularly fuel and energy costs, will impact all members of our community, most significantly older and younger people. As one resident noted, “Cost of living, rent and paying off their house will be hard for young people”.

Arresting the decline in our population will make it easier to justify the expansion of services, to increase the viability of existing businesses and to boost the likelihood of new industries setting up locally. Attracting and retaining the skilled workforce to work in these industries is a challenge that Kojonup shares with other regional locations throughout Australia. One suggested way of achieving this is to upgrade the existing child care and day care facilities, to encourage skilled workers with young children to remain in Kojonup and contribute to the local economy.

Providing a supply of quality housing and ensuring the sufficient availability of land for new housing will help us to attract and retain workers, as reflected in the comment: “At present the housing options for sale are over-priced and lacking in quality; there are also very few rentals available”. “ “ Shire’s Commitment Timeframe

Advocate on behalf of the businesses and residents with government and telecommunications providers to ensure the community benefits from advances in telecommunications technology. Short term

Draft a local economic development policy focused to create employment opportunities that attract and retain population in Kojonup. Short term

Identify opportunities to source funding and resources for local projects from the super towns initiative. Short term

Support local tourism initiatives and the Kojonup Tourism Association. Short term

shire of kojonup · shire of kojonup community strategic plan 2013 2023 3 shire president’s...

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