LEN Calneggia is pleased to be promoted to the position of Wagin Shire Council chief executive from the acting chief executive role, as there are a number of initiatives he wants to see to fruition.
These include the Wagin skate park; kerbside recycling, which is about to start; an integrated water program to use underground saline water for aquaculture; an upgrade of the Wagin Airport; the development of more light industrial land; and an upgrade of the Wagin Swimming Pool.
Mr Calneggia started his career in local government as the assistant shire clerk in Coolgardie in the late 1970s.
He firmly believes in the future of Wagin and said having a solid council behind him made his job so much easier.
“Wagin is a nice little town and it has a lot going for it,” he said.
Now that he is officially in the chief executive role, his priority is to help see the council’s plans come to realisation.
One of his passions, kerbside recycling, is about to get underway.
“Once we put the 240L wheelie bins into households it makes a huge difference in the participation rate of recycling, raising it from 20 per cent participation to 80 per cent,” Mr Calneggia said.
“We are very excited about that.
“Also, in line with 11 other councils, we are carrying out studies to find a suitable central refuse site.
“There is a push to reduce landfill, but there is still a long way to go yet.
“I know the government is saying zero waste by 2020, but I can’t see that happening.”
Mr Calneggia is also keen to see the Wagin Airport upgraded so it has an all weather standing and can be used at all times by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
He also wants to see it used for aviation training and recreational aviation, which he said was a growing industry.
“The RFDS has to be able to land in all weather conditions because we have had 70 medical evacuations in the past year and that number, unfortunately, is more than likely to grow,” he said.
Mr Calneggia is also keen to see more light industrial land opened up in the Vernal Street area of Wagin, as he said there was a shortage of this type of land in Wagin for expanding businesses.
“We have applied for a Regional Headworks Grant, which if successful will make a big difference and provides a 50 per cent subsidy for developing these blocks, making them a much more affordable price,” he said.
He would also like to see an upgrade of the Wagin Swimming Pool.
“The pool is 43 years old and it is looking a bit tired,” he said.
“We would like to install some limited heating, as has been done in other outdoor pools.
“This doesn’t extend the season, but allows people to use the pool for the extent of the season because people back off as the water temperatures drop.
“This would help extend the pool’s usability.
“We will be sending out a survey shortly to our ratepayers about the pool.”
Mr Calneggia is also keen to see the skate park up and running.
“The site for the skate park has been chosen – the old basketball court – which is the ideal location as there are already lights, toilets and barbecues.
“We’ve applied for a Lotteries grant to help develop it further and we hope this will come through this year.
“We would also like to incorporate a BMX track so we can hold competitions here.” Mr Calneggia said there was a lot to keep him occupied, but he was looking forward to the challenges ahead.
In 2004 he was forced to have a two-and-a-halfyear break from local government because of a heart attack, but now he is back he is enjoying it.
He can also now help put all the Wagin Shire Council’s plans for the future into action.
“When you’re relieving you’re really only keeping the seat warm,” he said.
“You can’t make decisions.”
His only worry is about the government’s reform process and what this could mean for WA shire councils.
“I don’t think it’s gone away – but what we have to ask the government is will there be any efficiency or saving to councils and at what cost to the ratepayers will all this happen?”
“We don’t want to be forced into the process.”
THE Wagin Argus wishes to clarify a statement made on the front page of last week’s edition regarding the sacking of former chief executive John Hunter and his subsequent and unsuccessful unfair dismissal case
The story said Mr Hunter was the third chief executive to be fired from the position in as many years.
This was not the case – the other two chief executives were not sacked.
The Argus apologises for the error
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