Published on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 9:20:07 AM
Fifteen engaged community members made the effort to get to the 2026 Annual Electors Meeting on 3 February, where they had the chance to speak directly with Councillors and senior staff. After confirming the Minutes of the 2025 Annual Electors Meeting and receiving the Annual Report, the floor opened for questions. Unlike last year, there were no Motions from the floor, however plenty of thoughtful comments and questions about local issues were raised. President Chambers and senior staff provided clear and constructive answers, and commitments were made to review procedures and explore possible options for a few of the matters raised. Topics highlighted by the community, and the information given in response, are summarised below:
Trees, Tree Removal & Street Tree Strategy
- The question of why so many trees had been removed from public open spaces in the past year was raised, whether the public could be informed before mass tree removals, if felled wood is reused, and whether weeds such as aniseed weed are being addressed. Clarification on the draft Street Tree Strategy was also requested, when it would be adopted and the criteria for tree removal.
- Response - Trees are only removed under specific circumstances such as development constraints, safety risks, or risk factors associated with Tuart Trees (which become more unstable as they age). President Chambers committed to improving communication with the community about future tree removals. Tuart wood was donated to the Esperance Firewood Cutters to raise money for RFDS, and the rest was mulched for use. A draft Weed Strategy is underway and is expected to be available for public comment in the coming months.
Esperance Overflow Campground Revenue
- Information was requested on how many campers used the Overflow Campground this summer, how much revenue was collected, and where the money will be spent.
- Response - 10,831 visitors have stayed at the Overflow Campground, generating $280,637 in revenue so far this summer. Running costs are expected to be around $227,000, leaving a projected profit of approximately $53,000; this goes straight back into managing the busy tourist season by boosting ranger patrols with extra trained staff and increasing rubbish collections, among other services. While tourism brings great benefits to local businesses and showcases Esperance’s natural beauty, it also places extra pressure on Shire services and infrastructure without any direct funding to match the increased demand. The Overflow Campground income helps the Shire maintain these essential services and keep things running smoothly when visitor numbers are at their highest.
Esperance Foreshore & Sand Renourishment
- The Esperance Foreshore and Shire work to maintain it was praised, and questions were asked about extending the Foreshore all the way around the bay, as well as long‑term sand carting costs.
- Response - Around $350,000 was previously spent on sand renourishment each year, however the now completed state and federally funded Sand Backpassing Project has improved how this is managed. The new permanent piping and sand backpassing system means sand dredged from Bandy Creek by the Department of Transport every two years is pumped back along the Castletown foreshore, reducing costs and the previous dependence on trucking. An extension to the Foreshore is planned once the sand has been stabilised so it won’t erode.
Beach Access & Request for Vehicle Restrictions at Duke of Orleans Bay
- Concerns were raised about damaged pedestrian beach access at Duke of Orleans Bay after storms, vehicle impacts on beach users, vegetation and wildlife, and antisocial driving behaviour. A request was made for vehicle access be restricted at Duke Beach, signage to be installed and pedestrian access repaired.
- Response - Several one in 25-year winter storms caused widespread damage to beach accesses last winter with repairs prioritised at more popular beaches, but access at Duke of Orleans Bay will now be looked at and assessed for maintenance. Work has been done on management options for vehicle access, with track closures, planting and revegetation. Unfortunately, some people haven’t respected this work, and it has been found that the people the Shire wants to read the signage won’t read it, so other options are being explored. Residents are encouraged to report issues directly to the Shire rather than through external apps, which are not integrated into the Shire system.
Parking Safety Pressure at Esperance Care Services (ECS)
- Safety and congestion issues around the busy Gilpin Street ECS site were voiced, and a request for parking to be increased was made, to deal with the approximately 300 people per day visiting ECS.
- Response - Parking at ECS has already been discussed by Council, and footpath and shared‑path works on Harbour Road may create opportunities to expand parking. If not achievable through current works, a budget request will be presented to Council.
Road Safety & Major Intersections; Pink Lake & Lake Warden Restoration; Local Newspaper Support
- A previous Shire update on Stage 2 of the Main Roads WA Esperance Port Access Corridor was commended and further updates were requested. Concerns were raised about the Norseman Rd/Shelden Rd intersection and Council were asked to consider closing Phyllis St access onto Norseman Rd. Salinity levels in Lake Warden were highlighted, and progress on the Pink Lake Feasibility Study outcomes, transferring saline water from Lake Warden to Pink Lake, was called for. The Shire was also asked to support the new local monthly magazine by advertising in it.
- Response - The Shire will be able to pass on information about how Stage 2 of the Main Roads WA Esperance Port Access Corridor is travelling after a scheduled Main Roads meeting later this month. Options for the Norseman Rd/Shelden Rd intersection are being investigated, however the knock-on effects of any changes, potentially creating unintended traffic and/or safety problems elsewhere, must also be considered. Warning was given that it will not be a cheap road project. A $2 million project proposal to pipe saline water from Lake Warden to Pink Lake has been costed up, and the Shire will continue to apply for grants to see this come to fruition. The importance of a local paper was acknowledged: the Shire supports local print media where possible but must continue using a registered newspaper such as the Kalgoorlie Miner for statutory advertising to meet the requirements of the Local Government Act 1995.
Habitat, Fire Risk, Dempster Head Protection, Illegal Beach Access & Heritage Sites
- Concerns were flagged about balancing fire risk with habitat protection, environmental degradation at Dempster Head, access tracks at West Beach, and the protection of the privately owned Overland Telegraph building.
- Response - Urban greening programs underway across the GVROC region, focused on planting appropriate native species, were outlined, with an acknowledgement that the Shire takes full responsibility and are very cautious about cutting down trees. The Shire also sourced funding for an urban canopy program and planting sections of Victoria Street Park and other Parks with native trees to bring more tree canopy has started. Dempster Head is a fragile environment that needs protecting. There is a Management Plan for the area and a few of the key actions have been done, but not a lot more progress than that. It’s disappointing to see mountain bikers have started making tracks there again, despite signage making it clear mountain biking is not allowed at the site. Work will be done to close tracks and block them off, and additional budget may be sought. A commitment to look at closing the historic tracks down to West Beach was made. The Shire has written to the owners of the Overland Telegraph building and will continue advocating for it to be covered heritage protection through the State Heritage Council.
Cemetery Working Group
- A timeline on when the Cemetery Working Group would recommence was asked for.
- Response - The group has now been re‑established, H&H Architects are preparing the updated masterplan, and Cemetery Working Group Meetings will resume once the draft is ready for community input.
The transcript of the hour-long 2026 Annual Electors Meeting, with full details of what was said, is available on the Shire’s Agendas & Minutes webpage and the recording of the meeting may be accessed on the Shire’s YouTube channel.
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