News and media desk

New Ranger for City

City Rangers are set for an expansion in numbers this year with the approval of a new team member under the 2012/2013 Budget.

The City of Rockingham has had a strict no new staff policy for a number of years, with the exception of high priority area; Essential Services, which is response to community feedback.  The expansion of the team over the past three years heralds a significant change to Ranger Services who are responsible for attending to over 10,000 job requests in the community each year.

In 2006, the City had a total of seven Rangers and one Parking Officer. Since then, the number of Rangers has gradually increased to meet the challenges arising from rapid population growth and increasing numbers of dog registrations and dog impoundments.

The Coordinator of Ranger Services, Kristi Milana, said: “The additional Ranger brings the total Rockingham team to 12 members and will definitely assist with attending to Community Safety needs and providing an additional visual presence”.

“We feel very lucky, to welcome additional staff to the team. Our pet management strategies continue to increase and our focus will remain with providing an effective and front line service that incorporates education, communication and new initiatives.”

City of Rockingham Mayor, Barry Sammels said: “Rangers are often some of a Local Government’s unsung heroes. Our ten Rangers and one Parking Officer currently perform a wide range of services seven days a week to our community including animal control; of dogs, livestock, snakes and other wildlife; illegal off road vehicle activity, parking; fire; litter; camping; and impending cat legislation.

“They also patrol an area of 260 square kilometres and 37 kilometres of coastline. Many of the Rangers also volunteer their time to local Bushfire Brigades and the Rockingham Sea Rescue group.

“The new Ranger will be appointed in response to the community’s aspiration for a safer community where residents feel secure, relaxed, and comfortable. Community Safety is one of Council’s key focus areas for the next decade, and the expansion of the team is already proving to have a positive impact on the services delivered by Rangers Team.

“The City of Rockingham is the most efficient Local Government in Metropolitan Perth for staffing costs with only 30% of total expenditure spent on employees.

“In the 2011/2012 financial year we had more than 15, 000 dog registrations which was an additional 4000 registrations since 2010/2011.”

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