NEWROC CELEBRATES LONGEST STANDING DELEGATE

NEWROC CELEBRATES LONGEST STANDING DELEGATE

The last meeting of the year for the North Eastern Wheatbelt Organisation of Councils (NEWROC) was an acknowledgement of the year’s achievements but also an opportunity to celebrate long standing delegate Cr Eileen O’Connell’s service to the NEWROC.

Cr O’Connell has been the Shire of Nungarin NEWROC delegate for the past 25years and was present when the organisation formed and has held the NEWROC position of Chair in the past.

Current NEWROC Chair, Cr Ricky Storer of the Shire of Koorda presented Cr O’Connell with a gift prior to the close of the December meeting and said “It is a credit to Cr O’Connell for her time and energy with the NEWROC. She has been a consistent and committed leader of the group and we wish to thank her for her years of service”

“Cr O’Connell was part of the group services in natural resource management and an avid supporter of the recent telecommunications project which has seen 11 repeater towers installed across the six Shires”

“We wish her the best in her future endeavours” said Cr Storer.

The December meeting was also an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s achievements over the past 12 months.

The NEWROC made two submissions; one to the Microgrid enquiry and another to the Digital Technologies in Secondary Education inquiry by the State Government. These were aligned to the strategic priorities of the group in energy and telecommunications.

NEWROC also provided feedback on the St Johns Country Ambulance Strategy which then led into a Health Forum which was held in Trayning. It attracted over 50 participants from Wheatbelt local governments, Wheatbelt, State and Federal Government Health Services as well as local practitioners.

The Health Forum sought to address and improve health service delivery in the NEWROC, with recommendations from the day going to the WALGA State Council to progress.

Another highlight for the year was NEWROC’s presentation on its telecommunications project to rural leaders at the SEGRA conference in NSW. John Nuttall, CEO from the Shire of Mt Marshall presented on behalf of the NEWROC and conference attendees were impressed with the collaboration involved and the improved internet service now available across the rural communities of the NEWROC.

The NEWROC will begin 2020 with CEO and Councillor strategic planning sessions to determine future priorities and projects.

NEWROC aims to improve the economic prosperity of member Councils.