Services

Bush Fire Control / Firebreaks

A restricted fire season remains in force all year round within the Town of Port Hedland. Persons wanting to burn garden refuse are required to apply and have a Fire Permit in their possession at all times, No charge applies for this process.

Permits are required:

1. for burning rubbish on the ground at any time, all year round
2. for burning off grass and vegetation at any time

Penalties

Minor Offences (Infringement Notices)

• Failure to maintain a firebreak - $250
• Lighting fire in open air - $250
• Lighting a fire to destroy refuse contrary to conditions - $250
• Failure to extinguish a bushfi re - $250
• Failure to produce a permit to burn - $100

Major offences may also face possible court actions with penalties including fines ranging from $400 to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to fourteen (14) years.

No fires are to be lit at any time on days of Very High or Extreme fire conditions and ALL permits are automatically cancelled on these days.

Owners and Occupiers of land in the district of the Town of Port Hedland shall provide and maintain firebreaks during the firebreak period commencing 1 October in any year concluding on 30 September the following year in accordance for Townsite Land, Pastoral Lands, Rural Lands, Fuel Dumps and Depots.

Please contact Ranger Services to talk to a Fire Control Officer on 9158 9741 or to report a fire please call 000.

Building Services

Council's Building Services Department is responsible for all building control throughout the town. Before commencing construction of a new building or carrying out alterations, additions, pool or spa installation, or demolition, an owner or builder is required to obtain a building license.

Information may be obtained at Council's website or by contacting Council on 9158 9300.

Economic and Land Development

The economic and land development team fall under the Planning and Development directorate and their main responsibilities are to manage Council operated economic development projects including land development, working closely with Government agencies to facilitate, plan, develop and support initiatives that enhance economic opportunities within the Town.

Phone: 9158 9307

Email: eldo@porthedland.wa.gov.au

Dog Pound

Dog Registrations are due 1 November each year with the option of a one or three year registration period, it is a requirement of the Dog Act (1976) that all dogs over the age of three (3) months be registered by a person over the age of 18, failure to register may lead to an infringement being issued.

Owners with unregistered dog(s) are urged to register their dogs at the South Hedland Library, on Leake Street or the Civic Centre on McGregor St, Port Hedland. Alternatively, residents can register their dog at the Council Depot, within the Rangers Section, located on Cajarina Street Wedgefield, during business hours Monday to Friday.

• 1 year Registration Non-sterilised - $30
• 1 year Registration sterilised - $10
• 3 years Registration Non-sterilised - $75
• 3 years Registration sterilised - $18

Concessions rate of 50% for Pensioners with an Aged Pension Card.

When moving to or leaving the Town, remember to advise Council of the change in your dogs registration details within 28 days, ie change of address, deceased dog, and change of owner details.

The maximum number of dogs permitted to be registered at any given address is (2) two. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times while in a public place.

Engineering

Council's Engineering Services encompass the works depot, landfill and parks and gardens sections.

Engineering Works
The Town's Engineering Team is responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure and services, including roads, footpaths, drainage, verges, kerbing, crossovers, mechanical services, signage, lighting and bus stops. The department also oversees waste management operations, fleet management, road closures, funerals (grave digging), coastal facilities, and specifications including verge development guidelines. Contractors and residents are requested to contact Engineering Services prior to undertaking any works, including landscaping within the road reserve (i.e. verges and roads).

Recycling
Council encourages recycling and seeks to decrease the volume of waste that goes into the South Hedland Landfill and promote re-use and sustainability. The facility contains designated areas for the disposal of recyclable items and material such as aluminium cans, gas bottles, used car batteries, scrap metal, used motor oil, pre-loved furniture and household items, concrete and green waste.

Parks and Gardens
The main role of Parks and Gardens is to develop and maintain green areas for residents to a high standard. Parks and Gardens are also responsible for effluent pumping, street tree pruning, litter control, oval and reserve maintenance and slashing. To request works or to report damage and faults in any of the Council operations, please call Engineering Services.

Phone: 9158 9700
Email: seao@porthedland.wa.gov.au

Environmental Health Services

Listed below are some of the functions undertaken by the Environmental Health Services Section:

• Implement Council's mosquito minimisation plan.
• Sample public pool water to ensure maintenance of high standards.
• Undertake food premises inspections and conduct the food monitoring programme.
• Process Trading In Public Places applications.
• Process applications to install sewage treatment an apparatus.
• Undertake inspections of the various forms of accommodation including Caravan Parks.
• Investigate concerns over public health issues.

For all enquiries/reports contact:

Manager Environmental Health Services
Phone: 9158 9352
Mobile: 0427 110 533
Email: managerehs@porthedland.wa.gov.au

Environmental Health Officer
Phone: 9158 9316
Mobile: 0417 923 177
Email: eho@porthedland.wa.gov.au

Home Occupation

There are 3 categories of businesses that can be run from home; Home Office, Mobile Business and Home Business. Each category is defined and regulated by the Town Planning Scheme and often require a planning approval. If you are thinking of running a business from home contact Council's Planning Department on 9158 9331.

Parking Patrols

The Town Rangers are responsible for the monitoring of parking facilities in Port and South Hedland including CBD areas, with particular attention paid to vehicles parked in disabled bays not displaying a valid permit. Limited time parking restrictions are also in place – please refer to the 'Airport' section for details.

People wishing to contest the issue of an infringement must write to the Town of Port Hedland's Chief Executive Officer, providing reference to the infringement number and supplying postal and contact details.

Parks and Gardens

See 'Engineering' section.

Pre-Cyclone Season Clean-up

Residents need to prepare for the tropical cyclone season, generally between November and April. To assist residents, Council provides a FREE cyclone clean-up service, collecting green waste. This service is advertised annually in the local newspapers, promoted through Council E-Newsletter and on Council's Website at www.porthedland.wa.gov.au, throughout the months of August and September each year.

For further information please call Engineering Services on 9158 9700.

Ranger Services

The Town of Port Hedland Ranger Services are responsible to administer and enforce various Sections of the Local Government Act, Bush Fires Act, Control of Vehicles (Off Road Vehicles) Act, Caravan & Camping Grounds Act, Litter Act as well as various Council Local Laws relating to the administration, education and enforcement of Parking & Verge Obstructions, Property Firebreak Inspections, Abandoned Vehicles and Shopping Trolleys, Reserves, illegal camping, animal welfare, illegal dumping, snakes and reptiles, parking infringements and Foreshore Patrols.

Vermin trap and dog bark collars are also available for hire from the Rangers office. To contact Ranger Services during business hours Monday to Friday and after hours on weekends or public holidays.

Phone: 9158 9741

Rates

After adoption of Council's budget, rate notices are issued for the new financial year. Ratepayers have the choice of one payment of the full amount or the amount of the fi rst instalment shown on the rate notice, with three other subsequent payments.

Council bases the rate calculation on valuations of land issued by the Valuer General's Office. Two types of rating valuations are used in Port Hedland, gross rental valuations for land within the townsite and unimproved valuations for land outside the townsite.

Please note that the sale of properties and any change of postal address must be notified in writing to Council within 21 days. For further information, please contact Customer Service on 9158 9300.

Recreation Services

The recreation department aims to facilitate, encourage and promote physical activity throughout Town. Council's Recreation Services are responsible for the management of all recreational and sporting reserves, facilities and infrastructure and aim to enhance the health and well being of the community.

For further information, contact Council's recreation department call 9158 9651

Rubbish Collection

Weekly Verge Collection: Council supplies 240 litre mobile bins to each residential property within townsites and on request to commercial premises. Ratepayers are charged $212.20 (ex GST) per year for a weekly verge collection service. All bins must be placed on the verge area adjacent to the roadway by 6am on the Collection Day, with handles facing away from road kerbing. Only items placed within the bins will be collected.

All mobile bins are to remain as part of the property and must not be removed. Bins must be maintained and cleaned regularly. Residents may be held liable for any damage or loss of bins.

The rubbish services do not operate on Good Friday and Christmas Day. The collection for these days will be the following day.

Collection days for respective townsite areas are:

Monday: Lawson and Cassia
Tuesday: Port Hedland (except Pretty Pool & part Cooke Point)
Wednesday: Koombana and part Shellborough
Thursday: Cooke Point, Pretty Pool & Wedgefield
Friday: Walnut Grove & Shellborough

For further information on the Waste Collection Service, call 9158 9700.

For a new service, or a replacement bin call Customer Service on 9158 9300.

Town Planning

Council is responsible for the regulation of the use and development of land within its area. The main tool for controlling land use is the Council's Town Planning Scheme No. 5. The Scheme zones and reserves land for a variety of uses and controls elements of development, such as building size, building density, car parking and open space provision.

If you are planning to develop land in the Town of Port Hedland District, you may require Planning Approval. For further information please call Planning Services on 9158 9300.

Town Planning Scheme maps and contents are available for perusal at the Civic Centre during office hours.