News

There is a scam email going around, purportedly from the Shire of West Arthur.

The Shire of West Arthur is inviting applications from experienced finance professionals for the newly advertised position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO)—a rare opportunity to step into an executive leadership role in a high-performing regional local government and accelerate your pathway toward a future Director or CEO position.

The Shire is proposing targeted vegetation management works to reduce bushfire risk and improve protection for the Darkan community, surrounding properties, and key infrastructure.

Telstra Network Disruption Advice - Unplanned Outage

Licence application DIR 224 is for commercial supply of a GM vaccine to prevent Newcastle disease, infectious laryngotracheitis and Marek’s disease in chickens.

A quick update from Main Roads Western Australia on the Darkan Passing Lane SLK 90.4-93.57 project.

A coalition of six Wheatbelt and Great Southern local governments has joined forces to tackle the region’s critical housing shortage, lodging a $4.9 million application to the State Government to deliver urgently needed homes for key workers.

The Shire of West Arthur will be closed over the Easter break.

Western Power is preparing for forecasted extreme weather associated with Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The Shire of West Arthur has received an application to use and/or develop land for the construction and use of a new temporary meteorological mast and public comments are invited.

Appointments for Friday 27th March to be held via Telehealth.

This document summarises the key messages and operational takeaways from the recent WA fuel supply disruption briefing, with particular relevance to local governments and district coordination.

Main Roads are undertaking preconstruction works for an overtaking lane 5km west of Darkan on the Collie Lake King Rd. Works have commenced and will be ongoing for approximately 5 weeks.

Potential Six-Month Permit Delays Put Regional Tourism Investment at Risk — Darkan Hotel Modular Accommodation Held Up by State Processing Backlog

An update on the WSFN

A message from the Shire President

The Shire of West Arthur is aware of ongoing fuel supply shortages affecting Darkan and surrounding areas and is working to support the community while engaging with relevant suppliers and authorities.

Bats have recently been encroaching in towns across the Wheatbelt. Bats pose a human health risk for severe illness.

The Shire has been selected as one of four pilot local government areas to participate in the implementation of the new guideline.

The Expressions of Interest (EOI) period for the 2025–26 Volunteer Grants in the O’Connor electorate is now open.

The WA State Government has released documents for new large-scale renewable energy projects Community Benefits Plans.

Providing an update on the current status of work for progression of the site towards reuse.

From Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, the standpipes in Darkan will be operated by a swipe card.

The Shire of West Arthur is calling on State and Federal Governments, Western Power and Telstra to urgently improve outage planning and communications following an unacceptable number of planned and unplanned power outages affecting local residents and businesses.

An article in the Farm Weekly - 12 February 2026

Prohibited Burning Time: 1st November 2025 to 3rd March 2026 (extended from 23rd February)

The Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils (WBAC), together with the Shires of Cranbrook and West Arthur, is raising community awareness about the significant impact on local services following the Forest Products Commission’s (FPC) decision to cease paying rates directly to local governments.

From 5 January, there are 130 Local Engagement Officer jobs available, including some in our area.

The Shire of West Arthur has been successful in a funding application to Lacour Energy towards the costs of hiring a consultant to carry out an inspection of structures on the Collie-Darkan Rail Trail.