Shire officially adopts 2023/24 Annual Report

Published on Thursday, 30 January 2025 at 2:30:24 PM

The Shire of Dardanup officially adopted its 2023/24 Annual Report, highlighting a year of significant progress, robust financial management, and community-focused achievements.

The report was presented at last night’s Annual Electors Meeting, showcasing the collective efforts of Council, staff, and community partners in shaping a bright future for the region.

Shire President's reflections:
Shire President Cr Tyrrell Gardiner, in his first full year in the role, celebrated the strides made in driving growth and prosperity.

"Representing and advocating for our community is a responsibility I deeply value," he said.

"This year, we achieved milestones such as the launch of the Advocacy Plan and Strategic Community Projects documents, which form the foundation for securing investment and support for vital infrastructure."

The Shire President also highlighted the opening of the award-winning Library, Administration, and Community Building in Eaton.

"This landmark facility, 11 years in the making, has become a vibrant hub for connection and innovation, earning three prestigious awards, including the Sustainability Award at the 2024 Urban Development Institute of Australia WA (UDIA) Awards for Excellence."

Other notable achievements include being recognised by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries as a Best Practice entity for the 2022/23 financial year and maintaining strong financial governance through unqualified audits.

CEO's highlights:
Reflecting on the past year, CEO André Schönfeldt emphasised the Shire’s commitment to financial excellence and transparency.

"For the fourth consecutive year, we achieved an unqualified audit, solidifying our place among the Office of the Auditor General’s top 20 Local Governments in WA for financial reporting and accounting," he said.

Key achievements from the year include:

  • Delivering a robust $16 million Capital Works Program.
  • The completion of the new Library, Administration, and Community Building in Eaton. Constructed from timber, this iconic building has garnered widespread recognition, winning three prestigious awards for its innovative design and sustainability.
  • The official opening of the $2.1 million R & J Fishwick Pavilion in February, enhancing the Shire's sporting infrastructure.
  • Installation of night lighting at the Bunbury and Districts Softball Association Grounds.
  • Ongoing progress on the transformative Enterprise Resource Planning project, which will drive innovation and improve customer service delivery over the next two years.

Community collaboration
The Shire continued its strong partnerships with organisations in 2023/24 such as Lotterywest, Healthway, Wespine, Tronox, the Eaton Lions Club, J&P Group, and Bunbury 4x4. These collaborations enabled the delivery of community events and programs that enriched the lives of residents.

Looking forward
Both the Shire President and CEO expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that made these achievements possible.

“Together, we are shaping a prosperous and sustainable future for the Shire of Dardanup,” Cr Gardiner said.

“Through ongoing collaboration, strategic planning, and community-driven initiatives, we are laying the foundations for continued growth and success.

“We look forward to building on these achievements and working alongside our residents to bring future projects and opportunities to life.”

The 2023/24 Annual Report is available for public viewing on the Shire of Dardanup’s website at https://www.dardanup.wa.gov.au/documents/annual-reports or at the Shire offices.

Media contact: Tahnia Creedon, Communications Officer | tahnia.creedon@dardanup.wa.gov.au | 0436 942 509.

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