New youth mental health service
Serena Kirby. An increase in children experiencing mental health crises and presenting at the region’s emergency departments has led to a new crisis response service. Run by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, the acute care response team will be based in Albany but will cover Denmark and the Great Southern.
Denmark’s new drop: Hard water still healthy
Patricia Gill. Denmark residents are dissatisï¬ed with the taste and staining caused by higher levels than usual of calcium in the town water. Since mid July 2500 homes and businesses in the town started receiving their water via the Albany to Denmark pipeline. The Water Corporation expects to mix water from Quickup Dam soon with that from a $25 million pipeline built in 2021 in response to declining and unreliable rainfall. Despite the rains, dam levels throughout the region are much the same as last year.
Menang elders lead festival river tours
Menang elder Aunty Vernice Gillies and Menang man Larry Blight will lead guided walking tours along the Kwoorabup riverbanks at the Kwoorabup River Festival [on Saturday 21 September] ... This cultural and environmental experience aims to help everyone better appreciate the Kwoorabup River and the Wilson/Nullaki inlet as they paddle, row and swim through the events of the day.
Committee charged with drafting town e-van plan
Serena Kirby. A committee has been formed to help secure an electric commuter van. The move is to reduce social isolation, created by Denmark’s lack of community transport. This commuter van will offer a green transportation option for community groups and residents.
Farmers unite to fight stress
Serena Kirby. David Wright was named as the Inaugural Denmark Cattle Farmer of the Year at the recent Drought Muster Buster held at The Dam ... The award was part of a broader event organised by Raintree Farm owner Steve Birkbeck, who wanted to create ‘a reason to celebrate in a time of stress and trouble for the farming industry’ ... An integral part of the event was the discussion of issues surrounding bushï¬res by a panel of local experts.
Biochar form of ‘recycled’ carbon now part of $5 billion market
Shaun Ossinger. The world biochar market is estimated to reach $5 billion dollars by next year more than 100 people were told at the recent South Coast Biochar Forum. Key speaker Professor Stephen Joseph told the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee forum that biochar had huge potential to sequester carbon, improve plant and animal health and manage a host of waste streams in the process.
Cadets meet and greet Youth Minister
Serena Kirby. Denmark Senior High School emergency services cadets gathered last week for a meet and greet with Local Government and Youth Minister Hannah Beazley. Ms Beazley, who is also Emergency Services Minister Parliamentary Secretary, said the cadets program was the favourite thing in her portfolio.
Big future for little houses
Patricia Gill. The Shire of Denmark can approve the use of caravans and small houses for accommodation for up to two years on private property from September 1. The changes announced last week on Sal and Justin Bellanger’s Nornalup property aim to ease the housing shortage for seasonal workers and homeless people, and give an option while a house was being built or renovated.
