General News
18 December, 2025
Mayor reflects on a year of progress
Looking back on 2025, Yarriambiack Shire Council mayor Andrew McLean said it was exciting to reflect on the year's highlights and share them with the community as the end of 2025 approached.
The younger members of the community will benefit from several of the completed projects.
Notably, the Rupanyup Kindergarten landscaping project was completed in time for the new 2025 kindergarten year, and the opening of the Warracknabeal Kindergarten, along with its updated landscaping and new car park, was a highlight.
"We celebrated the opening of the Early Learning Victoria Bani Walup (Murtoa) and the Rupanyup Community Library Precinct was completed and now provides in-venue family day care, library services, and a range of other community activities," he said.
"It has been great to see the local community actively utilise this valuable asset."
Funding was secured for part of the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Program, with nine existing truck parking locations within the Shire to be upgraded.
A $150,000 in State Government Engage Funding over three years for the Western Bulldogs Community Youth Leadership Program was secured, making this another valuable project for the region.
Shire was pleased to upgrade the depot sites with new toilets. The Warracknabeal site now has an upgraded staff lunchroom, and a new shed is under construction at Murtoa.
In addition to these upgrades, new emulsion tanks were installed at the three main depots to enhance road maintenance and repairs.
With numerous projects in Mining, Renewable Energy, and Transmission Lines, the Councillors adopted their Position Statement to strengthen their advocacy for the Shire.
"The Shire marked its successful advocacy and application for reduced speed limits in Rupanyup and Murtoa, as well as improvements to the school crossing in Hopetoun, which has improved safety across those areas," he said.
"With the housing shortage in the shire, council is pleased to advise the community that affordable housing projects in Warracknabeal and Rupanyup have been completed, with management responsibility now transferred to Dunmunkle Lodge."
In other building projects, the Warracknabeal Courthouse project was completed, construction commenced on the new netball and tennis courts at Murtoa, the refurbished Scott Street amenities block in Warracknabeal was completed, and construction of the new carpark in Woomelang and a new pump for the bowling green were completed. Sediment was removed from the Yarriambiack Creek in Warracknabeal.
The mayor said he acknowledged the long wait for the Lions Park Toilets upgrade, but construction had begun, along with the Hopetoun Affordable Housing project.
"Between July 1 and the end of November, the Shire completed maintenance work on 612 kilometres of roads, as well as progressed our capital works program for roads, footpaths, and kerb and channel infrastructure," he said.
“We are well on track to complete our Council Plan Year 1 actions, and our 25/26 budget capital works program."
Mayor McLean continued, "Given our limited resources and budget, we strive to allocate funds in a manner that achieves the most beneficial results for the community."
“Alongside our project delivery program, residents throughout the Shire continued to enjoy our Community Engagement Van and Library service, which supported various community and school holiday programs.
“We look forward to continuing to serve our community in the coming year and remain optimistic about potential new funding opportunities on the horizon."