Fighting back

The City of Kwinana has its sights set beyond the COVID-19 pandemic with plans already in motion to help guide the community’s economic and social recovery. Emerging from two weeks mandatory quarantine after travelling to Australia from his holiday in Hawaii, the City’s new chief executive Wayne Jack told the Sound Telegraph the city’s main priority amid the pandemic was aiding recovery. Formerly chief executive of the Napier City Council in New Zealand, which has a population of more than 61,000 residents, Mr Jack was responsible for more than 550 staff as well as managing an annual budget of NZ$110 million. While Mr Jack could not say what financial impacts COVID-19 could have on the city, he said council had a key role to play in looking after the welfare of the community and its recovery. Tasked with ensuring the city is returning “back to normal” following the pandemic, a new local recovery group has been made up of representatives from across the community who will monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and investigate ways to help guide the future of Kwinana post pandemic. “It is a good thing to do early in the (recovery) process to start thinking about what does recovery require, because it’s not just the economic recovery but there’s also the social issues that need to be addressed as well,” he said. Mr Jack revealed there was “discussion” about preparing the budget with no rate increase, as well as a wider focus on the social issues within the community as a result of the pandemic and supporting businesses and growth in the region. “Recovery is going to take time because there has been a significant impact on people and communities so it is going to require a co-ordinated approach both at the local, State and Federal level,” he said. Mr Jack, pictured, is in a prime position to lead the city’s response to the pandemic having helped plan the first draft of the NZ Pandemic Plan, but he admitted each emergency was unpredictable. “I think there’s a real opportunity (locally) with the Outer Harbour project, which could be a game changer not only for the city but for the region and the State,” he said. “When you look at surrounding infrastructure in terms of transportation networks (and the) logistics that need to go in to support that outer harbour it can provide a lot of opportunities for this community. “So certainly being able to progress that early can help with the recovery from the pandemic and then also looking at what other projects can the council deliver earlier.” As a result of the pandemic, Mayor Carol Adams also said it was necessary for the City to establish a separate budget account for pandemic-related costs. She has authorised the city to incur extra costs of up to $100,000. This could include advertising, safety equipment such as hand sanitiser and physical barriers and redeployment of casual staff.