Annual Report 2015-2016 - Highlights

Launch of the RAC E-Bike Trial

The RAC e-bike trial was officially launched in August 2015 in partnership with RAC and the Department of Transport.

Electric bikes have the potential to reduce car trips and increase physical health and mobility. The trial aimed to provide insight into users’ experiences and perceptions of e-bikes to guide future implementation of e-bike hire schemes in Western Australia.

Before the trial, 61% of trips to and from work were made by car. This almost halved during the trial, to just 32% on average over the 10 weeks.

The RAC believes the increase in cycling maintained throughout the trial shows that e-bikes can make cycling a more attractive and realistic option for more people.

Local Housing Strategy

Part of the City’s Local Housing Strategy was implemented with the approval of Scheme Amendment No. 119 to increase the residential density in Wanneroo, Girrawheen, Koondoola and parts of Marangaroo. Now land owners in these areas can submit subdivision and development applications to demolish their existing single detached home and replace it with villas, townhouses and apartments.

The change in density will allow for a significant increase in population in key areas and the incremental replacement of old housing stock with a diverse range of highquality housing types.

Access and Inclusion Plan

Adoption of the City’s first Access and Inclusion Plan recognised the City’s commitment to working with people from different backgrounds, cultures and abilities.

A City-produced video capturing voices of community members with different cultures, backgrounds and abilities was screened at the launch of the City’s Access and Inclusion Plan.

Early Childhood Strategy

The City is well on track with the implementation of the second year of its Early Childhood Strategy.

Highlights included partnering with Edith Cowan University’s ‘Pregnancy to Parenting’ clinic to provide improved access to services and involvement in the Origins project with Telethon Kids Institute. ‘It’s All About Play’, an initiative developed by the City to engage parents in quality early childhood development opportunities, continued to grow with an average of more than 100 children and parents attending weekly volunteer facilitated sessions in the Wanneroo Library. Acknowledgment of the program was received from external agencies and other local governments.

City commended for fire prevention and hazard reduction burning program

A Special Inquiry into the management of the devastating Waroona fires of January 2016 was conducted and tabled in the WA Parliament on 29 April.

As part of the inquiry, report author Euan Ferguson AFSM visited Wanneroo for a briefing and inspection of the City's fire prevention and hazard reduction burning program.

The Inquiry found Wanneroo to be a leader in its approach to local government fuel management programs.

The City was commended as a role model for Western Australian local government in its approach and achievements in relation to fire mitigation.