Building Control

The building surveyor has the responsibility of issuing building licences, after ensuring that proposed structures comply with the Building Code of Australia, the Shire's Planning Scheme and Regulations. Licences are also required for signs and hoardings, radio masts and towers, and can be obtained on application.

A building licence is necessary before work commences on any building including garages, carports, patios, tool and garden sheds, and alterations and additions to existing buildings. Two copies of detailed plans and specifications are required with the application for a building licence. Assistance with applications is readily available from the Manager Development Services at the Shire Office on (08) 90802 111.

Water Corporation Approval - Kambalda Properties Only

The Water Corporation must approve site plans and floor plans for all residential, commercial and industrial buildings including a new home, new commercial buildings, additions, extensions, alterations, renovations, garden shed and swimming pools (boundary fences are excluded from this requirement).

This is done to ensure the protection of of water assets and to better prevent water services being disrupted by building activity.

Please call into the Shires Kambalda Office to collect an application form. For further queries regarding this matter, please contact the Water Corporation on 131 395.

Street Lighting

Any faulty streetlights should be reported to Western Power on 13 13 51, logged through their website www.westernpower.com.auor reported to the Customer Service Officer at the Shire Office on (08) 90802 111.

Citizenship Ceremonies

The Council conducts Citizenship Ceremonies on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Shire President normally carries out these ceremonies at an Ordinary Council Meeting. Special arrangements can be made where this is not suitable, and the Shire President is available.

Australian Citizenship Application forms are available from:

The Department of Immigration & Multi Cultural Affairs
Locked Bag 7
Post Office
NORTHBRIDGE WA 6865.

They should also be readily available from most local Post Offices.

Enrolling to Vote

In order to be eligible to vote in the Shire of Coolgardie Elections, owners or occupiers of property must lodge an Enrolment Claim form at the Shire Offices or with the Electoral Commission. The owner or occupier must be registered on the Electoral Roll and their address must be in the Shire of Coolgardie.

For further information regarding this matter, please contact the Finance and Administration Officer, on (08) 90802 111.

Firebreaks (Bush Fires Act 1954)

All owners or occupiers of land in the Shire of Coolgardie are required on or before the 1st day of November each year to clear firebreaks and remove flammable materials from the land owned or occupied by them and to maintain the land in this order up to the 30th day of April of the following year.

Where the area of land is 2000 square metres or less, all flammable material shall be removed from the whole of the land. Where the area of the land exceeds 2000 square metres, firebreaks at least three metres in width shall be cleared of all flammable material immediately inside and along the boundaries of the land. Where there are buildings on the land additional firebreaks three metres in width shall be cleared immediately surrounding each building.

A detailed copy of the Bush Fires Act 1954 notice can be obtained from the Shire Office on (08) 90802 111.

Health

The Shire of Coolgardie is responsible for general sanitary and health issues, which include reports on the outbreak of disease to ensure that measures can be implemented to combat a community health issue. For further information, please contact the Manager Development Services at the Shire Office on (08) 90802 111. In the case of emergency health issues please call mobile phone 0417 983 266.

Food Surveillance

Any complaint concerning food or its handling should be brought to the attention of the Manager Development Services as soon as possible. Please retain any defective food and where possible its packaging for examination.

Off-Road Vehicles

The Act and Regulations controlling off-road vehicles are now applicable state-wide. The Act itself carries severe penalties for the misuse of motor vehicles in other than designated land areas. Should you be in any doubt as to where you can drive or use an off-road vehicle within the Shire, please contact our Works Supervisors, in Coolgardie (Edward Czaplinski - 0418 957 682) or Kambalda (Paul Janssan – 0409 266 607).

Pest Control

Residents can assist in fly control by ensuring that all household food scraps are securely wrapped prior to disposal and garden compost/manure does not breed flies. Special care must be taken where pets and/or poultry are kept. Advice on this or any other matter relating to the control and eradication of mosquitoes, flies and spiders and the use of special pesticides is available from the Manager Development Services at the Shire Office on (08) 90802 111. Alternatively, fact sheets on pest control can be obtained by visiting the Health Department of Western Australia website.

Private Swimming Pools

Ratepayers are required to submit plans and obtain a Building Licence before construction of a private swimming pool. The Building Regulations 1989 require private swimming pools to have isolation fences. Gates providing access to the pool need to be self-closing and self-latching. The Manager Development Services will be pleased to give advice on any problems associated with swimming pool plans. Private swimming pools will be inspected at least once in every four years.

Watering Days & Times

The Shire of Coolgardie supports the conservation of water and the sensible use of water throughout the Shire. To find out your personal watering day, use the last digit of your house number to determine what days you can have your sprinklers on.

Watering times are between 6pm and 9am. Please visit the Water Corporation website for information on water conservation and being “waterwise”.