Published on Friday, 18 September 2026 at 11:55:25 AM
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s Ranger Services team has been recognised at the 2026 WA Rangers Association Awards, placing second in the Ranger Team of the Year category.
Senior Ranger Alistair Murray was also named a finalist for Ranger of the Year, while long-serving Ranger Services team member Nathan Duncan received a 20-year Long Service Medal recognising his contribution to the local government Ranger profession.
The recognition follows one of Ranger Services’ strongest years to date, with the team shifting towards a more proactive, intelligence-led and community-focused approach.
During 2025/26, Ranger Services recorded:
- a 27 per cent reduction in animal euthanasia;
- a 10 per cent increase in animal rehoming;
- a 92 per cent increase in dog registrations;
- a 264 per cent increase in cat registrations;
- a 120 per cent increase in abandoned vehicle removals;
- a 45 per cent increase in parking compliance;
- a 78 per cent increase in litter enforcement; and
- a 117 per cent increase in general local law enforcement.
Manager Community Safety Olivia McNamara said the recognition reflected a significant team effort and a deliberate change in how Ranger Services operates.
“We’ve worked hard to move from being largely reactive to getting out ahead of issues, talking to people earlier and using education wherever we can before enforcement is needed,” Ms McNamara said.
“The results show that approach is working. We’re seeing more animals registered, better welfare outcomes, stronger compliance and more issues being dealt with before they become bigger problems.”
Rangers have increased proactive patrols and community education across responsible pet ownership, animal registration, fire prevention, verge management, abandoned vehicles, heavy vehicle compliance, littering and local law responsibilities.
The team has also introduced CCTV trailers, surveillance cameras at litter hotspots, body-worn cameras, proactive compliance auditing and data-driven patrol planning.
“This isn’t the result of one person doing more work. It comes from Rangers, administration staff and leadership backing each other and being clear about the standard we want to deliver for the community,” Ms McNamara said.
“We’ve got a relatively new frontline team, so a lot of work has gone into mentoring, training and building confidence. To see that translate into these results, and now recognition from our peers across WA, is something the whole team should be proud of.”
Mayor Glenn Wilson congratulated the team on the recognition.
“This is a great result for a team that does an enormous amount of work across Kalgoorlie-Boulder every day,” Mayor Wilson said.
“Rangers deal with everything from animal welfare and abandoned vehicles to illegal dumping, parking, local laws and community safety, and much of that work happens quietly in the background.
“To have the whole team recognised, alongside Alistair individually and Nathan for 20 years of service, is something we are very proud of.”
Ranger of the Year finalist – Alistair Murray
Senior Ranger Alistair Murray has played an important role in the development of Ranger Services, providing operational leadership and mentoring a largely new frontline Ranger team.
He has also led work across animal welfare, community education and heavy vehicle compliance, including helping establish Operation Helix, a multi-agency taskforce involving Main Roads WA, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and WA Police.
During his time with the City, Alistair has completed more than 900 Ranger investigations and jobs and implanted 187 companion animal microchips, while also supporting the development of newer Rangers.
“Alistair is the person people go to for advice. He has an enormous amount of operational knowledge, but just as importantly, he takes the time to share it and help others develop,” Ms McNamara said.
“His contribution goes well beyond his own workload, and this recognition is very well deserved.”
20 years of service – Nathan Duncan
Nathan Duncan received a 20-year Long Service Medal recognising more than two decades of service to the local government Ranger profession.
Nathan has served the City since 2005 across roles including Parking Inspector, Ranger, Ranger Administration Team Leader and Ranger Administration.
Across two decades, Nathan has supported generations of Rangers and built extensive knowledge across local government regulation, animal management and community safety.
He has worked alongside approximately 118 Rangers during his career and remains one of the longest-serving and most experienced members of the City’s Community Safety team.
“Nathan has seen just about every side of Ranger Services over 20 years,” Ms McNamara said.
“That experience is incredibly valuable to the team. He knows the history, understands the systems and is always there to support the people around him.”
Better outcomes for animals
Improving outcomes for animals entering the City’s care has been a major focus for Ranger Services.
During 2025/26, animal euthanasia reduced by 27 per cent, while animal rehoming increased by 10 per cent, from 307 to 337 animals.
“That reduction in euthanasia is something we’re particularly proud of,” Ms McNamara said.
“Every animal we can reunite with its owner or find a new home for is a better outcome. Our Rangers and administration team put a huge amount of work into registrations, microchipping, contacting owners and working with rescue organisations to give animals the best possible chance.
“In Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the City is the only local animal management service, and we don’t have the same network of nearby shelters and animal welfare services that you would find in a metropolitan area. That means our team has to work particularly hard to find positive outcomes for animals that come into our care.
“That’s why getting the community involved is so important. The more people who see a lost animal, recognise a pet or consider adopting an animal looking for a new home, the more opportunities we have to get them home or into a new family.”
Despite the City’s Animal Management Facility having capacity for only 18 dogs, Ranger Services has strengthened relationships with RSPCA WA, Cat Haven, SAFE, Shenton Park Dogs Refuge and local veterinary clinics to increase rehoming opportunities and improve animal welfare outcomes.
The City has also launched a dedicated Animal Management Facebook page, providing a place for the community to see lost and found animals, animals looking for new homes, responsible pet ownership information and updates from the Animal Management team.
Residents can follow the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Animal Management Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593092180528
Residents can also help Rangers by reporting wandering animals, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, littering, verge obstructions and other local issues through the Snap Send Solve app.
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