Nestled along the border between Victoria and South Australia, West Wimmera Shire spans an impressive 9,200 square kilometres of primarily agricultural land, encompassing the charming towns of Apsley, Edenhope, Harrow, Goroke, Kaniva, and Serviceton. This unique region is a vibrant tapestry of community and nature, boasting fertile plains that support flourishing crops and livestock, as well as breathtaking desert parks and wetlands.
The area's natural beauty is further enriched by its wildlife, with iconic species like the mallee fowl, brolga, and red-tailed black cockatoo gracing the landscape. Colorful wildflowers add to its picturesque charm, making West Wimmera not only a haven for visitors but also a source of pride for its 4,000-strong community. It's truly a region where the wonders of the land and the spirit of its people shine brightly.
Our West Wimmera communities are healthy, thriving, diverse, harmonious, prosperous and self-sustaining, with regional and global connectivity.
West Wimmera Shire Councillors have a positive image of the region, which can best be described by the following statement:
Our West Wimmera communities are peaceful, prosperous and connected.
Our farmers have added value to their commodities and embrace the very latest technologies to drive efficiency and commercial success. High-quality transport and digital infrastructure are enabling our agricultural producers and other businesses to thrive and compete globally.
There have been significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure within the Shire and this has generated many new local jobs. Several new and expanded businesses now operate very profitably within the Shire, and this has created significant opportunities attracting many new residents from diverse backgrounds.
Visitors are flocking to our stunning wetlands and recreational water, and are making a significant contribution to the local economy. Tourism itineraries and quality signage guide visitors through the Shire.
Our major centres have high-quality service options aligned with community need. Our small townships and communities feel well supported and are connected within the broader West Wimmera community.
Many of our young people have returned to the place where they grew up, to raise their own families. Residents of all abilities and ages are well supported.
Sporting clubs within the Shire have quality facilities and continue to be a hub for community connection and positive well-being outcomes.
The Council has a tremendous reputation for innovation and professionalism and is skilled at advocacy, which is attracting funding to drive service and infrastructure investments.
- Innovative - We will proactively respond to change, are optimistic about our future and pursue continuous improvement 1 in everything that we do.
- Accountable - We will be responsible, take ownership of our actions and are committed to good governance, excellence, transparency, achievement of goals and advocating for our community.
- United - We will do everything within our ability to encourage and form trusting relationships, to work together as one team to achieve our goals and advocate for “One West Wimmera”.
- Collaborative - We will actively and openly consult with you and work constructively with community organisations, agencies, the business community and other levels of government to our community’s benefit.
Our organisation is structured into two key business units:
- Infrastructure Development and Works
- Corporate and Community Service
The Senior Management Team comprises the Chief Executive Officer and the Director from each business unit.
David Bezuidenhout - Chief Executive Officer
David Bezuidenhout was born in South Africa and spent his school years in Schweizer-Reneke, in the old Western Transvaal. He did his National Service directly after school where he was commissioned as Officer and involved in active warfare in Angola. He remained in the Defence Force Reserves and eventually had a career of nearly 20 years in the Defence Force. After his two years National Service, David qualified as a lawyer and worked in private practice for 16 years in South Africa and later in Queensland after migrating to Australia in 2006. Over the next 12 years, David worked in both the legal space and also in senior project and general management roles for firms including Warley Parsons and Spotless in Queensland. David made the transition into the public sector in 2015 as head of Capital Projects for the Gladstone Area Water Board and in 2018 joined Cloncurry Shire Council in North West Queensland as their CEO.
David and his wife Carine both grew up in rural areas, their families were involved in agriculture and they have previously owned properties that farmed cattle, sheep, dry land crops and irrigation. David understands the challenges that rural communities face, but also appreciate and see it as a privilege to live in and be part of a rural community. David is excited by the prospect of settling into the West Wimmera region for the long term.
Responsible for:
- Overall staff management
- Strategy and direction
Brendan Pearce - Director Infrastructure Development and Works
Brendan Pearce was born in Hopetoun and was raised on a wheat/sheep farm near Woomelang. He attended school at Woomelang Primary and Sea Lake High School.
He completed his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at Ballarat (now Federation University Australia) and since graduation has worked in engineering roles for Councils in Victoria (Bairnsdale Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire), Queensland (Kilcoy Shire, Burnett Shire, North Burnett Shire, Cloncurry Shire) and Northern Territory (Katherine Town Council).
Brendan has two children that are now young adults that live in Brisbane and a small dachshund that is probably too spoiled. Brendan enjoys living in ‘real’ Australia and throughout his career and travels has gravitated to smaller country communities. He looks forward to be living in the region and enjoying the most of what country living offers.
Responsible for:
- Aerodrome
- Animal control
- Assets
- Buildings
- Emergency management
- Environmental health
- Fire prevention
- Infrastructure engineering
- Local laws and ranger
- Natural resources
- Parks and gardens
- Planning and environment
- Project and contract management
- Economic and Business Development
- Quarries
- Roads
- Transfer stations
- Works
- Workshop services
James Bentley - Director Corporate and Community Services
After commencing his career in corporate risk and underwriting in Sydney, James transitioned to local government in 2006. He has held senior roles in customer experience, finance and revenue in Councils across New South Wales and Queensland, and brings with him genuine enthusiasm about the power of positive culture to deliver improvement for our community. James has completed his Master of Professional Accounting through RMIT, and believes that working in Council is one of the most satisfying ways to contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of the place we call home.
Responsible for:
- Governance
- Human resources
- Communications
- Community support
- Customer service
- Early years
- Community development
- Finance
- Home and community care
- Information technology
- Living at home/regional assessment service
- Maternal and child health
- Occupational health and safety
- Rates and GIS
- Tourism
- Youth services