Councillor Rob Cashman - Shire of Murray

31/08/2026

Thanks to everyone who has contacted me this week about the condition of the track between Austin Lakes estate and the ACBC school. This track is the main access route for many students riding to school, and I raised the issue after this month's Council meeting.

The Shire’s Design Team has confirmed that contractors are already working on a realignment to avoid the current inundation. In the meantime, if residents notice issues like this, the quickest way to get action is to report them directly to the Shire through the portal, email or phone:

👉 Report it here: https://www.murray.wa.gov.au/community-and-services/report-it.aspx
📞 Shire Office: 08 9531 7777
📧 Email: [email protected]

I’ll continue to follow up on this matter and keep the community updated. Feel free to reach out to me to discuss any local matters.

For more updates on local issues, you can follow my councillor page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584011781435

26/08/2026

August's Council Meeting is Thursday 27th at 17:30PM. Here is the agenda. https://www.murray.wa.gov.au/council-meetings/ordinary-council-meeting/ordinary-council-meeting/177

20/08/2026

Step back in time to Pinjarra’s Main Street in 1908.
This glimpse of George Street captures the old Pinjarra Post Office as it stood 118 years ago, a timeless piece of our town’s history.

Take a walk down the road of Pinjarra Main Street in 1908.

This snapshot of George Street, Pinjarra, shows the iconic Post Office from 118 years ago!

📸 Image from Murray and Mandurah by Ronald Richards

13/08/2026

I love community cuppa with a Councillor. Today I met with Joy and David discussing Developer Contribution Funding the for North Yunderup community.

The North Yunderup Community Association continues to provide a valuable service to its community, from building nesting boxes for birds and wildlife to disposal bins for fishing lines, all these projects assist in bettering the local area.

06/08/2026

The Shire has confirmed the bushfire leadership team for the 2026–27 season, with Robert Wilson appointed as Chief Bushfire Control Officer and Justyn Bennett, Jarron Vanelst and Brendan Webster appointed as deputies.

Robert brings more than 45 years of volunteer service, senior brigade roles, and DFES Level 2 incident control accreditation, including leadership during major incidents. His focus on strong relationships, capability development and structured training will support all brigades across the Shire. The deputy appointments also bring solid experience and commitment.

Thank you to all our volunteer firefighters for your ongoing service to the community.

29/07/2026

I voted NO to the 4.95% rate rise.

On Thursday night, 23 July, Council passed the Council Plan, the Long Term Financial Plan and the 2026/27 annual budget, all of which included a 4.95% increase in rates.

I voted against all three.

Over recent months Council has considered several major financial decisions. I have been consistent in my position throughout, and I want to explain that clearly.

A major concern for me has been the proposed $1,050,000 allocation for a new Shire internal ERP system. Council has not been provided with a business plan, consultant findings or verified costings for this project. The current ERP system was implemented in the 2018/19 financial year at a cost to ratepayers of $409,783. It is budgeted to cost $198,880 this year to operate. However, the $1,050,000 figure in the Council Plan is only a preliminary planning estimate. No business plan, costings or options analysis has yet been presented to Council. Asking ratepayers to set aside $1,050,000 without that information, to me, is not reasonable.

Back in May, when Council first considered advertising the proposed rate in the dollar, I said that before asking ratepayers to absorb a 4.95% increase, Council should be satisfied that every reasonable internal saving, efficiency, service review, deferral or reprioritisation had already been tested. I was not convinced we had been presented with enough evidence that this work had been completed.

Rates are compulsory and people cannot opt out, which means we have a responsibility to be extremely careful with other people’s money, especially when many households are already dealing with rising mortgages, rents, insurance, groceries, fuel and power bills.

The Long Term Financial Plan embeds the same 4.95% rate increase. If I cannot support the rate path, I cannot support a long term plan built around it. I am not satisfied that the strongest possible internal savings effort has occurred or that all options have been fully explored before passing costs onto ratepayers.

The Annual Budget also proposes a 2.5% increase to councillor allowances. In the current cost of living environment, I do not believe it is appropriate for myself as a councillor to receive an increase at the same time we are asking ratepayers to absorb higher costs. I believe we should lead by example.

For these reasons, I voted no to the Council Plan, the Long Term Financial Plan and the Budget.

These decisions are not about opposing services or projects. They aren't about denying that costs are rising. They are about ensuring Council has done the necessary internal work before increasing the burden on ratepayers and about maintaining a responsible and transparent approach to financial management.

I was the only Councillor to vote no.

Please see the comments below for more information.

26/07/2026

South Yunderup Ravenswood Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade held its annual dinner last night, and I was proud to attend as a brigade member.

It’s a chance for our volunteer firefighters and support crews to pause, share stories, and reset before the fire season.

We recognised Wayne for attending almost every call‑out this year and earning Firefighter of the Year, Steph for securing vital grants that keep our equipment and communications up to date, Teegan for modernising our social media and helping the community see who we are, and our leadership team — Secretary Graeme Baldwin and Captain Dean McGuinness — for guiding the brigade with steady direction.

As always I am proud to stand alongside such dedicated volunteers.