Latest news with #D'Aprile
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Shire of Katanning president Kristy D'Aprile says proposed Ausgold mine at Badgebup will be 'a real positive'
Shire of Katanning president Kristy D'Aprile believes the proposed gold mine in Badgebup will be 'a real positive' as she gears up the council to plan for its acceptance. Ausgold, the developers of the mine, are yet to reach agreement with freehold landowners and they are in the middle of a 10-day trial at the Wardens Court of WA. The project will also have to be assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. However, Cr D'Aprile said she was operating on the basis they would win those battles. 'The shire does not officially take a position on this but in a practical sense we believe the mine will have a significant impact and we want to be on the front foot,' she said. 'It's absolutely going to be a real positive in terms of employment, the economic situation and the diversity of our workforce.' Cr D'Aprile said the shire was working with neighbouring councils likely to be affected and was also aiming to help small businesses prepare for the possibility that workers would be accommodated close to town. She said she was also trying to be sensitive to the feelings of landowners in the Wardens Court who were opposing the project. Her views will not be popular with Katanning's environmental activists who fear the proposed mine will decimate wildlife, particularly affecting the nesting hollows used by endangered Carnaby's black cockatoos. However, Cr D'Aprile rubbished claims that the town was split on the issue and said there had been misinformation spread around the likely environmental impact. 'We are aware of the environmental issues, but it is also a great opportunity for Katanning to pilot a site to deal with them in innovative ways,' she said. 'There has been a lot of propaganda around the environment and I'm trying to keep a level head to deal with it. 'I'm quite satisfied that we have some great strategies and can work with Ausgold to navigate the environmental issues.' Dean Arthurwell, who runs not-for-profit charity Carnaby's Crusaders, said the Wurgabup reserve would be surrounded on three sides by the mine. 'They are talking about mitigating the impact, but the mine will make the reserve useless for the birds because of the noise, the dust and the light pollution,' he said. 'It will also cut off connecting corridors, and impact creek-line flow paths into and out of the bushland. 'There will be people in the town rubbing their hands with glee at the thought there will be lots of jobs; real estate people will be delighted that there will be property development and the chance to drive up rents, but these jobs don't exist yet. 'It's all political stuff; we have turned into a short-sighted, greedy generation who are squandering everything. 'Every time there is a development it impacts our wildlife because there is so little of their habitat left.' Cr D'Aprile said the mine, with its workers housed near the town, would be a major boost to the economy. 'Ausgold have been very public about wanting a residential workforce,' she said. 'That would be better for our schools, sporting clubs and small businesses. 'It's a phenomenal opportunity for the Great Southern.' The mine site is about 35km outside Katanning and a feasibility study released by Ausgold said it could produce 1.14 million ounces of gold over its estimated 10-year life. They also estimated employing 350 people with 250 needed for its construction.
West Australian
13-08-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Shire of Katanning deputy president Liz Guidera awarded WALGA life membership
A local government marvel who stood as the first female president in a Great Southern shire has received deserved recognition, named a life member at the 2025 WA Local Government Association's awards last month. Shire of Katanning deputy president Liz Guidera was one of two local government leaders recognised with WALGA life membership at the association's awards night on July 19. The 24th annual event crowned 40 elected members and officers at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth in recognition of their remarkable achievements and contributions. Cr Guidera said the awards night was 'fabulous', and felt 'humbled and honoured' to receive the award. She quoted Woman in the Arena speech by Theodore Roosevelt in her address as a call to courage and reflection of her own journey. 'It is not the critic who counts — the credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again,' she quoted. 'At the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if she fails, at least fails while daring greatly.' The esteemed councillor took a seat in 1994 and was the first woman elected as Shire of Katanning president in 2001-03, and again in 2015-23 before Kristy D'Aprile was the second female appointed. Cr Guidera said that she was proud to be a leading and encouraging female figure. 'My biggest achievement was being the first woman to hold the role of shire president, and the second, but always knowing that I wouldn't be the last and paving the way for young mums to represent their community,' she said. 'As a young mum I felt I had something to offer, a family perspective on services needed and provided to advance the interests of our community. 'I've always believed that at the heart of every councillor is one driving force — community. 'That's why we do it, we are in the arena for our family, our friends and our community to make a difference.' In her 31 years on the council, Cr Guidera has been a tireless advocate for education, health, law and order, early childhood development and culturally inclusive services. She named Katanning's Early Childhood Hub as a top community-driven project she has championed with plans to integrate an early learning centre, a family centre and child health offices into a single hub. Cr Guidera has also become a mentor among community leaders through her lifetime devoted to service, advocacy and meaningful change. Shire president Cr D'Aprile said she was an inspiration. 'She has been a fierce advocate for Katanning and the Great Southern, a voice for rural WA, and a mentor to many, myself included. Her recognition as a WALGA life member is so incredibly deserved,' Cr D'Aprile said. 'Congratulations Liz. Your legacy is already long and lasting and I know there's still so much more to come. 'To those inspired by Liz's journey and her incredible contribution to our community, let this be your call to action.' Cr Guidera has been newly appointed as chair of Regional Development Australia Great Southern and said she 'looks forward to working in the broader regional space on important projects for the future'. Shire of Brookton president Katrina Crute was also named a WALGA life member.
