Anita McInnes, Yanchep News Online

The re-established Upper Coastal sporting facilities working group held its first meeting on Wednesday, November 9 at the Lancelin Sporting Complex. Back in June sporting clubs were disappointed with the Shire of Gingin council’s decision to not re-establish the working group to undertake a review of the Upper Coastal sporting facilities master plan, which had proposed “the creation of an active sports space in Lancelin, with more passive sports located in Ledge Point”.

The Shire of Gingin has been given a deadline to finalise a Lancelin foreshore re-development with the Albanese Government confirming it has closed a grant program, which the former government used to promise the shire funding for the project. Former Pearce MHR Christian Porter promised the Shire of Gingin $250,000 towards a redevelopment of Cunliffe St.

Koala numbers at Yanchep National Park have fallen with only half the population there now compared with three years ago. Prior to the 2019 Yanchep bushfire there were eight koalas in the colony located in the national park’s enclosure. But a Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) spokeswoman said there were now four koalas left in the colony.

Gingin council went behind closed doors this week to consider entering a deed of agreement relating to Lot 601 Brockman St, which is prime land with residential, town centre and parks and recreation reserve zonings. What proposal was put forward by the applicant Acumen Development Solutions for the 17.7ha lot owned by George Gifford has not been made public but after the confidential session the shire said the councillors had given in-principle support for what had been proposed in relation to public open space.

Anyone wanting to sign a condolence book for Queen Elizabeth II in the northern suburbs can do so at Chocolate Drops in the Yanchep National Park. Pearce MHR Tracey Roberts, who arranged for the condolence book to be at Chocolate Drops, said those wishing to sign the condolence book could do so between 9.30am and 2.30pm until Sunday, September 25 and then between 9.30am to 4.30pm during the school holidays.

“The Treasure Trove has always aimed to sell beautiful, clean, affordable clothes and household items that are ‘preloved’ rather than tired and obviously second hand. We must have done something right because apart from our lovely regular locals, we have customers visiting from Perth and are now on the op shop tourist holiday trail": Ann Callen, Gingin Community Op Shop secretary.

The past committee of the former Yanchep Redhawks Junior Cricket Club has recently agreed to distribute its unused funding to support local junior sporting clubs in Yanchep and Eglington ... 'Sport is such a valuable part of any community especially in these times of financial uncertainty that affect many people and sporting clubs': Robert Murphy, former YRJCC president.

With foot and mouth disease on Australia’s borders livestock owners and producers in the Wanneroo and Gingin areas need to be on guard as do farm workers returning from holidays who may have been in contact with susceptible animals while travelling ... “If there has been contact, consider requesting the worker isolate from livestock for seven days and ensure appropriate border declarations have been made to ensure all footwear, clothing and equipment is free of mud, animal manure and mucus to minimise the risk of introducing a disease,’’: DPIRD chief veterinary officer Michelle Rodan.

Shire of Gingin residents disappointed with the council’s decision to not re-establish a working group to undertake a review of the Upper Coastal sporting facilities master plan say they are now looking at the options available to them. A petition with 376 signatures was presented to the council and 21 people including Lancelin Community and Sporting Club president Norm Skoglund as well as golf, bowling, hockey and netball representatives attended the shire’s June 21 ordinary meeting in the hope councillor Frank Peczka’s motion on the issue would be successful.

North Wanneroo growers have been dealt a blow with the McGowan Government seeming to rule out any benefits from the proposed Alkimos desalination plant being shared with agricultural licence holders.