Shire of Donnybrook Balingup

18/06/2026

The next Census is on 11 August 2026

The Australian Bureau of Statistics needs to hear from everyone because in the Census every answer matters.

🌐 Visit census.abs.gov.au for more information

💬 For help in your language call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450

18/06/2026

🎉 The Shire is pleased to share that it has secured State Government funding to support CCTV upgrades at the Apple Fun Park in Donnybrook 🎉

This funding is provided through the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Election Commitment Grant Program, with successful applicants announced by the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Hannah Beazley, on 10 June 2026.

More than 300 applications were submitted by 70 local governments across Western Australia, including the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup. As one of 35 successful applicants, the Shire has been awarded approximately $10,500 to support CCTV upgrades at the Apple Fun Park in Donnybrook.

The Minister also acknowledged the Shire’s ongoing dedication and commitment to public safety, recognising its proactive approach to maintaining and improving community infrastructure.

Shire President Vivienne MacCarthy welcomed the announcement, highlighting its importance in supporting a safe and family-friendly environment.

💬 “The Apple Fun Park is one of the community’s most popular public spaces, and is a special place for local families and visitors to the Shire. This funding supports the wellbeing of our community, and will help further strengthen existing safety measures that ensure the area remains safe and enjoyable for everyone,” President MacCarthy said. “Council remains committed to delivering practical initiatives that contribute to community safety across the Shire.”

As part of ongoing service delivery, the Shire will continue to maintain and improve its existing CCTV network to support safe, welcoming public spaces.

See the Minister's announcement here 👉 https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/WA-local-governments-share-in-CCTV-camera-funding--20260610

17/06/2026

Council will be live at 5:00pm today for an Agenda Briefing Session ahead of the OCM next week. This meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed - here's where and how you can join us:

📍 Attend in person at the Council Chambers (1 Bentley St, Donnybrook)

🎥 Visit our YouTube channel to tune in while we're live or watch past meetings: https://www.youtube.com//featured

You can find all information relating to our Council meetings, including agendas and attachments, on our website: https://www.donnybrook-balingup.wa.gov.au/council/council-meetings

Here are the Council Meetings coming up this month:

✳️ Agenda Briefing Session (ABS)
Wednesday 17 Jun. 2026, starting at 5:00pm

✳️ Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM)
Wednesday 24 Jun. 2026, starting at 5:00pm

📍 These meetings will be held at the Council Chambers (1 Bentley Street, Donnybrook) and are open to the public - join us in person or tune in online

🎦 Watch the livestream or watch past meetings and recordings: https://www.youtube.com//featured

📑 Visit our website for meeting documents and attachments: https://www.donnybrook-balingup.wa.gov.au/council/council-meetings

12/06/2026

We know just how important local trails are to our community 🌿👣💚

The Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils (WBAC) is developing a Regional Trails Strategy to help guide future trail planning, investment, maintenance and promotion across our region - and you can help!

🗣️ HAVE YOUR SAY 🗣️
Your feedback will help future trail planning, investment, maintenance and promotion across our region. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and is open for the next six weeks - see here: tinyurl.com/WBACRegionalTrailsSurvey

Learn more about this project 👉 https://www.wbac.net.au/regionaltrailsstrategy

📢 Have Your Say on the Future of Trails in the Southern Forests & Valleys

Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, mountain biking, gravel cycling, horse riding, paddling, four-wheel driving or simply exploring the outdoors, we want to hear from you.

The Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils is developing a Regional Trails Strategy to help guide future trail planning, investment, maintenance and promotion across our region.

Your feedback will help identify:
🌿 What is working well
🚶 Current challenges and gaps
🚴 Future trail opportunities
🏇 Priorities for investment and maintenance
🏞️ How trails can better support communities, businesses and tourism

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and is open for the next six weeks.

🔗 Complete the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/WBACRegionalTrailsSurvey

Please share with your friends, family, clubs and community groups.


Shire of Manjimup Shire of Boyup Brook Shire of Nannup Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire of Donnybrook Balingup

12/06/2026

📶 Network Outage (minor disruptions) 📶

We're pleased to share that our phone systems are back to normal. Thank you for your cooperation!

The network outage that occurred this morning is most likely related to an ongoing issue in the Northern Territory, which has impacted customers and service providers across Australia. We don't expect this issue to cause any further interruptions to for our facilities, but if you're unable to get in touch with us, you can:
📍 Visit us in person during open hours
📧 Send your enquiry via email
📮 Send items to us via post
💻 Submit your enquiry online via our website

You can find the details for each of our locations, along with a range of helpful information and resources, here 👉 https://www.donnybrook-balingup.wa.gov.au/contact.aspx

10/06/2026

Keeping your cat safe at home is important. Cats who are safely contained at home are at less risk (e.g., they are less likely to be injured by cars, other cats, dogs, and other animals).

Keeping your cat happy at home requires forward thinking and a little imagination and commitment. But you needn’t go it alone; RSPCA WA has created the Safe and Happy Cats guide to help explain why cat containment is important, and how you and your cat can live at home together in harmony.

By keeping your cat safe at home, you will be:

❤️‍🩹 reducing the risk of them getting sick or being injured

⚠️ reducing the risk they will stray and be lost or impounded

🐓 minimising the risk they will harm or kill other animals (or be hurt themselves)

🏘️ avoiding cat-related problems with your neighbours

😸 giving them a better chance to enjoy a longer, safer life

Learn more about keeping your cat safe and happy at home: https://safeandhappycats.com.au/

09/06/2026

📣 PUBLIC NOTICE 📣

The 2026-2027 Schedule of Fees & Charges was adopted at the Ordinary Council Meeting held 27 May 2026, and as per Council Resolution 81/05-26, will be in effect from Wednesday 1 July 2026.

To view this Schedule, please visit the Shire website 👉 https://www.donnybrook-balingup.wa.gov.au/annual-budgets-fees-charges.aspx

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Shire Administration Office during open hours:
📞 Phone: (08) 9780 4200
📧 Email: [email protected]
📍 In Person: 1 Bentley St, Donnybrook, WA 6239

Nicholas O’Connor,
Chief Executive Officer

05/06/2026

Community members from across the Shire came together on Wednesday 20 May for a celebration at the VC Mitchell Park (VCMP) Community Club for National Volunteer Week 2026, with this year’s theme being Your Year to Volunteer. Organised by the Shire in collaboration with the Donnybrook Community Resource Centre (CRC), the event was a great success, with guests enjoying live entertainment, a delicious meal, and taking home native plants as a keepsake.

Shire President Vivienne MacCarthy said the highlight of the evening was presenting awards with Sue Martin, Manager of the Donnybrook CRC. Among the recipients were Raelean and Terry Bailey from Balingup in recognition of their support for walkers along the Bibbulmun Track. Andrew Scott from Mullalyup was also recognised for his leadership at the Balingup Small Farm Field Day held earlier this year, and for his ongoing service in the Mullalyup Bush Fire Brigade.

“This event is about recognising the incredible contributions our volunteers make to this community,” said President MacCarthy. “As the people who step forward, give your time freely, and support others in ways that truly make a difference, you embody the spirit of our Shire. Whether it’s through community groups, events, lending a hand to neighbours, or simply being there when it counts, you make the magic happen, and your efforts help create the place we are so proud to call home – this celebration is very well deserved, and I hope you know just how much we appreciate you.”

Congratulations to all recipients:

🏅 Raeleen & Terry Bailey

🏅 Andrew Scott

🏅 Tom Darby

🏅 Haylee Stutley

🏅 Rita Winkler

🏅 Carolyn Hayes

🏅 Judy Fitzgerald

🏅 Lee Fitzgerald (also a member of the Donnybrook CRC Committee – well done!)

🏅 Donnybrook CRC Committee – photo (from left to right): Judith Morrisey, John Ridgway, Madeline Kiernan-Smith – members not pictured: Christina Gammon, Sarah Kirkpatrick, Debbie Bourke, Lee Fitzgerald

We are incredibly proud to have one of the highest rates of volunteering in all of Australia, with 2021 Census data* showing that of all our Shire residents aged 15+ years old, 23.2% formally volunteer for an organisation or group. In comparison, the national average rate is 14.2%, and for WA it’s 15.9% for WA (overall) – with volunteers at the heart of our community, we’re eager to see what the latest figures are from the next Census, which is happening this year.

The generosity, compassion, and dedication of our volunteers is deeply valued by the whole community. We appreciate your efforts and recognise the positive impact you have across the Shire every day. We look forward to building on this success and celebrating our local heroes through future events.

This event was made possible thanks to the support of the Donnybrook CRC, and funding contributed by Volunteering WA and Lotterywest.

* See REMPLAN Community Profile: https://app.remplan.com.au/donnybrook-balingup/community/work/voluntary

04/06/2026

The Shire President has shared a recap of key items and outcomes from the OCM held in May 2026, covering what happened and why it matters, all in one place.

🛣️ 5-Year Forward Roadworks Program
Council reviewed the Shire’s 5-year Forward Roadworks Program, outlining planned road upgrades and construction from 2026–2027 through to 2030–2031. The program details where works will occur, the type of improvements planned, and how projects will be funded through a mix of external funding and Shire resources. It provides a clear, long-term roadmap for maintaining and improving the Shire’s road network, helping ensure safety, accessibility and sustainable infrastructure planning.

Outcome: Council adopted the program and endorsed actions to secure external funding to support delivery.

🔥 2026–2027 Fire Prevention Order
Council considered the annual Fire Prevention Order, which sets requirements for property owners to reduce fire risk, including firebreaks and hazard reduction measures. Updates were recommended by the Bush Fire Advisory Committee to improve preparedness and compliance.

Why it matters: Strengthening fire prevention requirements helps protect lives, property and the environment, particularly during high-risk bushfire seasons.

Outcome: Council adopted the updated Fire Prevention Order, including revised compliance dates. Council also endorsed the appointment of Bush Fire Control Officers for the upcoming year - a copy of the Order will be sent out with annual rates notices, in addition to being available via the Shire website.

🌲 Development Application – Pine Plantation, Noggerup
Council reconsidered a deferred development application for a pine plantation in Noggerup, including additional information on potential groundwater impacts.

Outcome: Council refused the application due to insufficient evidence on groundwater impacts and concerns about increased bushfire risk near the townsite. Decisions like this balance land use, environmental protection and community safety, particularly where water resources and bushfire risks are involved.

📊 Strategic Risk Register Adoption
Council received a new Strategic Risk Register identifying key risks that could impact delivery of the Council Plan and the Shire’s long-term sustainability. A structured approach to risk strengthens governance, improves decision-making and ensures the organisation is prepared for future challenges.

Outcome: Council adopted the register, with risk management plans to be developed and monitored through ongoing governance processes.

🗳️ Council Representation Review
Council endorsed a discussion paper as part of a statutory review into Council representation, exploring whether the current number of Councillors remains appropriate. This review ensures Council remains representative, effective and aligned with community needs as the Shire evolves.

Outcome: Community consultation is now open, inviting feedback on Councillor numbers and representation, closing 13 July 2026.

📘 Council Plan 2026–2036 (Draft)
Council considered the final draft of the new 10-year Council Plan, shaped by community input and strategic planning.

Why it matters: The Council Plan sets the long-term vision and priorities for the Shire, guiding future projects, investment and decision-making.

Outcome: Council endorsed the draft for public consultation, with feedback open until 19 June 2026 to help shape the final version.

04/06/2026

COMMUNITY INFORMATION: Ranger Training Activities (dogs off-lead)

Please be advised that our Shire Rangers will be participating in training activities at the Egan Park Oval in Donnybrook on Friday 5 June 2026. These activities are being conducted with an accredited dog trainer and will include a number of dogs being exercised off-lead for training purposes.

What to expect:
🔹 Dogs may be off-lead under controlled conditions
🔹 Ranger vehicles and staff will be present
🔹 Training activities will include recall and behaviour exercises

Important information for the public:
🔸 All dogs involved are supervised and part of structured training activities
🔸 You must keep your dog under control and on a lead when in the vicinity
🔸 We ask that all members of the community please maintain a safe distance from training activities where possible

The Shire is committed to continuously improving Ranger capability and responsible dog management within the district. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time - should you have any questions, please contact Ranger Services.