Walpole in the Trees Regatta attracts 80+ boats

Download the Walpole Weekly, March 4, 2015 (PDF 4 MB)

  • The Walpole in the Trees Regatta attracted more than 80 boats from around the state, bringing with them a competitive spirit and a welcome boost to the local economy;
  • A former Walpole Primary School teacher has been jailed for possessing child pornography;
  • Walpole/Nornalup Tourism Association President Rod Burton responds to criticism on how he handled the media in the aftermath of the bushfires;
  • Rick Wilson MP releases an open letter about “intergenerational theft”;
  • The Climate Council links climate change to bush fires;
  • Donna O’Brien celebrates her mother Kate’s 80th birthday;
  • And much more … Download the Walpole Weekly, March 4, 2015 (PDF 4 MB) March-4-2015-cover

 

Regatta to blow life into economy

Download the Walpole Weekly February 25, 2015 (PDF 3 MB)

  • Walpole in the Trees Regatta 2015 organiser Jamie Dunross expects the event to attract hundreds of sailors and spectators to Walpole & Districts;
  • Peter Newton compares Walpolian attitudes to disaster and inconvenience against those in Northcliffe WA, Queensland, and the Top End;
  • Peter Bidwell appreciates last week’s letter to the Editor written by representatives of the South Coast Environment Group;
  • Jodie Whitfield of WA’s Department of Agriculture & Food offers advice to small landholders as summer slips into autumn;
  • Walpole ladies win Denmark golf tourney;
  • And much more …'Walpole Weekly' February 25, 2015 cover page

 

South Western Highway to reopen tomorrow

The Shire of Manjimup’s estimate last Friday (Feb 13) of at least two weeks until the South Western Highway would reopen has proven to be ultra-conservative.

The good news from Main Roads WA today is that the Highway will open tomorrow (Feb 20).

Main Roads’ full media release, as follows:

A 30 kilometre section of South Western Highway in the State’s south-west is due to reopen to traffic tomorrow evening following this month’s devastating bushfires in the region.

Main Roads WA work crews have been repairing minor damage to the road surface and the clean-up of burnt roadside vegetation will continue over the weekend.

Main Roads Executive Director of Regional Services, John Erceg, said the highway would remain open under speed restrictions.

A 30 kilometre section of the highway connecting to Walpole in the Manjimup Shire has been closed to traffic for several weeks due to the fires, and there was minor damage to the road at various locations.

The section remained closed while fire damaged tall trees on the roadside were pruned or removed.

“The fact that we are able to re-open the road ahead of the Labour Day long weekend next week is good news for commuters in the area as well as the tourism industry and the town of Walpole,” Mr Erceg said.

“We were always mindful of the impacts to businesses in the Walpole district the longer the highway remained closed.

“The re-opening also means that tourist traffic from Perth will be able to travel the South Western Highway unimpeded over the long weekend.”

For more information on road conditions throughout the State go to www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or ring the Main Roads Customer Information Centre on 138 138.

Two weeks until SW Hwy reopens

Download the Walpole Weekly February 18, 2015 (PDF 3 MB)

  • Walpole & Districts will have to wait at least two weeks before a 12-kilometre stretch of the Southwestern Highway reopens;
  • The South Coast Environment Group thinks a proper conversation is needed about fire management;
  • Philip Powell thinks training up the army to fight fires is a good idea;
  • Molly Smith looks back at the 1937 fire;
  • Burglaries do happen in Walpole warns Sgt David Wall;
  • And much more …

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Shire meeting in Walpole Friday

Shire President Wade de Campo, Cr Dave Tapley, and other representatives of the Shire of Manjimup will hold a meeting tomorrow (Friday, February 13) in Walpole to learn about the challenges faced by our community due to road closures and other ramifications of the bushfires; and any other issue of concern to residents.

Members of the Walpole & Districts community are welcome to participate in the meeting, which will take place at 1:00pm at the Walpole Community Resource Centre, Latham Avenue, Walpole.

Please spread the word. (Try using the share links at the top right of this post.)

Smoke in the water; benzene too?

North Walpole resident Louis Beckerling noticed that the water in his rainwater tank tasted smokey so he investigated its implications.

Concerned that there might be unhealthy levels of the carcinogenic chemical compound benzene in his water supply, Mr Beckerling called the Department of Health who referred him to the Shire of Manjimup.

In an emailed follow-up to a telephone conversation, the Shire’s Environmental Health Technician Sheri Laba informed Mr Beckerling that the Shire can provide microbial testing, but chemical testing must be carried out independently.

“Unfortunately the associated costs are not covered,” Ms Laba wrote. “The cost for the Shire to come and take microbial samples would be $60, and results would take about a week.

“The Shire is currently exploring the option of providing 5000 litres of potable water to rural residents (not on scheme water) affected by the fire.

“Some research is being done to clarify the information required from land holders eg. tank damage, contamination of tank, fittings, access etc.”

Mr Beckerling understands that the Shire of Manjimup is trucking drinking water into Northcliffe and providing 5,000 litres per family.

“They will consider trucking water into Walpole depending on how many households are affected,” he said.

Cr Dave Tapley told the Weekly that he would raise the issue at a fires-related meeting with representatives of the Shire, which is tentatively planned to take place in Walpole on Friday (Feb 13).

He said he will attend Business After Hours at the Walpole CRC this evening (Feb 11 from 5:30pm) and will listen to any concerns Walpole & Districts residents may have.

Resources

 

Fire concerns eased at Community Hall

Favourable prevailing winds and large tracts of land north and northwest of Walpole that saw prescribed burning between a year and four years ago are two of the factors that combine to lessen authorities’ concerns about Walpole.

Nevertheless, as at 1:00 pm on February 6, North Walpole remains on a Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) “Watch & Act” alert while Walpole town is on an “Advice” level warning.

DPaW's Allison Donovan led the DPaW presentation to the community, answered questions from the floor, and at the conclusion of the meeting helped individuals better understand the maps on display.
DPaW’s Allison Donovan (left) led a DPaW presentation to the community, answered questions from the floor, and, at the conclusion of the meeting, helped individuals better understand the maps on display.

Department of Parks & Wildlife (DPaW) Frankland District Manager Allison Donovan led a presentation and Q&A regarding the fires to the northeast of Walpole.

A few of the questions raised from the audience in the packed Community Hall that received definitive answers, included:

  • Western Power’s planned power outage for tomorrow (Feb 7) will not take place. It is unclear whether the planned outage on Feb 11 will occur.
  • The evacuation point for those who may need it has shifted from Walpole Sport & Recreation Centre to the equivalent facility in Denmark.
  • All National Parks and associated facilities in the area are closed to the public. The Walpole & Nornalup Inlets Marine Park remains open to boaters and fishos.

DPaW reiterates that DFES’ alert service at dfes.wa.gov.au/alerts remains the primary, definitive source of information for the public.

Towards the end of the Q&A part of proceedings, Emergency Services Medallist Alex Williams asked the assembled to consider joining one of the volunteer emergency services, particularly the local Bush Fire and Fire & Rescue groups.