Published on Friday, 23 January 2026 at 10:01:55 AM
This second article of our series showcasing the Shire’s 2024/2025 Annual Report, to be presented at the Tuesday 3 February Annual Electors Meeting, turns the spotlight to CEO Shane Burge. In his introduction to the Report, he speaks about the staff, processes and day‑to‑day work that helped the Shire navigate a challenging and productive year.
The 2024/25 financial year was very busy for us at the Shire. We worked to keep services running smoothly with only minimal rate increases, even though costs are going up everywhere. We know many in our community are feeling that squeeze. At the same time, we pushed ahead with major projects and made sure our systems are solid enough to carry us well into the future.
I’m really pleased with our new internal Procure to Pay system; built for local government, it strengthens the way we manage your money, ensuring accountability, efficiency, and compliance. Our Finance Team were up to the challenge of integrating it into our day-to-day work. The quality of this team was also acknowledged with another unqualified audit opinion from the Office of the Auditor General, recognising the Shire as one of WA’s top 20 best practice entities. This is not just a nice pat on the back - it shows we’re serious about transparency and accountability.
The Shire also invested in the basics that make a difference for staff and the community over this financial year. Our IT systems were upgraded, and new Work Health and Safety systems are now in place because keeping our people safe at work is non negotiable.
On the community side, we rolled out practical initiatives like the Bin Tagging Program, KidSport Pool Memberships, and expanded volunteer and youth engagement programs. We also took a hard look at facilities like the Bay of Isles Leisure Centre and the Esperance Library to make sure they’ll keep meeting community needs into the future.
Our staff are the backbone of this organisation, and we’ve made sure they’ve been given the tools they need to succeed. More than 500 training courses were delivered, and we negotiated a new Industrial Agreement to give stability and fairness. Housing and recruitment remain tough challenges, but we’ve kept services going by being flexible and working closely with local partners.
I want to thank our Directors Felicity, Mat and Roy, Shire staff, and volunteers for the effort they’ve put in over the past year. It hasn’t been a simple run - costs keep climbing, housing and recruitment are tough, and the community rightly expects a lot from us. But through all that, you’ve kept the Shire’s machinery humming: services delivered, projects moving, and people cared for. That’s what counts. The proof of your work is in the fact that we’ve stayed financially accountable, managed resources responsibly, and kept things ticking for the community. That’s real value, and it only happens because of the people who show up and do the work every day.
Looking ahead, the focus doesn’t change. Shire staff at all levels will keep delivering great service, backing Council’s strategic direction, and making sure our staff and our community are supported. We’ll continue to be upfront about how we spend and how we work - because that’s what accountability looks like.
Shane Burge
Shire CEO
Council and the Shire welcome all to the Annual Electors Meeting, and hope to see many community members talking with Councillors and senior Shire staff about the past year’s performance, and the issues that matter most to them. Whether you want to understand or comment on how the Shire performed over the past year, ask questions about local projects, or put forward a motion on an issue you care deeply about, this is your chance to be heard.
Email shire@esperance.wa.gov.au with your questions and motions, or turn up with them on the night!
Related Shire articles:
20 January 2026 - Council Decisions Driven by Community Aspirations
14 January 2026 - Passionate About the Esperance Region? Join Us on 3 February
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