The North Eastern Wheatbelt Regional Organisation of Councils (NEWROC) who have worked together for the past 25yrs under a Memorandum of Understanding are considering forming a Regional Subsidiary this year under the Local Government Act.
The seven member Shires are seeking feedback from ratepayers and residents regarding their intent to form a regional subsidiary with the Shires of Dowerin, Wyalkatchem, Koorda, Trayning, Mukinbudin, Nungarin and Mt Marshall. The regional subsidiary will replace the current governing structure.
NEWROC have lead many successful projects since its inception in the early 1990s including:
- Construction and marketing of the $1.9m Wheatbelt Way self-drive route
- Construction of a $1m telecommunications service (internet) across member communities
- Delivery of the Kununoppin Bonded Medical Scholarship to attract and retain 3 GPs in the member communities
- Wheatbelt Town Team Builder based in Mukinbudin to help activate spaces in town centres across the seven local governments
- Founding membership of NEWTravel a local tourism organisation
- Collective advocacy on priority areas including health, emergency services, agriculture, transport and education
The value of the NEWROC is in its regional collaboration on services, events and infrastructure projects that benefit NEWROC communities, a united voice for member local governments keen to advocate and sharing of resources. There currently are a number of initiatives the members are considering pursuing, and this is where the NEWROC Regional Subsidiary can provide an entity to progress them.
The Regional Subsidiary does not allow for organisations to be rationalised. The Regional Subsidiary is a way to attract external funding, progress strategic projects and specialist skills to our region.
The proposed Regional Subsidiary is required to have a Business Plan and Budget each financial year. The Business Plan of a Regional Subsidiary may be seen as similar in role to a Council’s Strategic Plan and Corporate Business Plan combined.
To form a Regional Subsidiary the local governments who are party to the proposal must participate in the following steps:
- NEWROC Council develops the Regional Subsidiary Charter and Business Plan (completed)
- Business Plan is open for public comment between June and July 2022 – available at www.newroc.com.au under media centre
- NEWROC members review feedback from residents and ratepayers. Amend the Business Plan and present to individual Councils for endorsement
- If agreed, application to form a Regional Subsidiary is made to the Minister for Local Government
NEWROC invites residents and ratepayers to submit comments on the proposed Regional Subsidiary and its Business Plan. You can submit comments in writing to your local Shire administration or email caroline@newroc.com.au
All documents are available at www.newroc.com.au (under media centre) or on your local Shire’s website.
Further information about Regional Subsidiary’s is available at https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/local-government/local-governments/regional-subsidiarie–
