Published on Monday, 1 July 2024 at 3:45:00 PM
Hello, I am Vivienne MacCarthy, President of the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup.
Welcome to this summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 27 June 2024.
You can listen to a full recording of the meeting on the Shire’s website, where you will also find the Minutes of the meeting and detailed attachments.
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Item 9.1.1: Development Application - Extractive Industry
Councillors faced a difficult decision regarding a Development Application to extract gravel from Lot 130, Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road, Yabberup. The Application came to Council following a significant number of submissions and community interest objecting to the development.
At the meeting, a petition was presented to Council and earlier in the meeting, residents expressed their concern through two Deputations. It’s important to note that the applicant and the residents who objected to the application are all members of our community. Despite the applicant’s willingness to mitigate risk in a number of areas, the application wasn’t approved by Council.
The land in question is zoned Priority Agricultural Land which the State sets aside as an important future source of food production. Any development on this type of land is required to return the land to it’s existing capability for viticulture and perennial orchards.
Contributing to Council’s decision was a report from the Department of Primary Industries* which stated that it was doubtful that the rehabilitated soil would be able to support future food production to the same extent that it currently does.
* Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
Item 9.1.3: Indigenous Yarning Circle Project
Council approved the development of an Indigenous Yarning Circle at the senior campus of the Donnybrook District Highschool (DDHS).
The Shire has been working with local youth and Indigenous people through various means of engagement and collaboratively have come upon this proposal, which will utilise funds donated by Perkins Bros in 2021 and Talison in 2022.
The benefit from placing this Circle on the school grounds is that the Yarn Circle programs will be managed by the school, and supported by their Follow the Dream Program. This will ensure the space is regularly used, maintained, and available for use by the broader community.
Item 9.2.4: Desktop Valuation for Lot 501 on Deposited Plan 72099 - 41 Bentley Street, Donnybrook
Council authorised the CEO to set aside funds for the preparation of a business plan for the acquisition and sale of Lot 501, 41 Bentley Street, Donnybrook.
This follows a report presented to Council in February this year, where we were asked to consider a proposal to purchase the land and buildings currently leased to a medical practice. This wasn’t possible because the property was on Crown Land and since that time, the Shire has requested and received a ‘desktop’ valuation report.
Shire Officers recommend to Council that a comprehensive business plan be prepared - this will provide Council with a structured framework for evaluating the financial, operational, and social implications of the transaction.
By articulating clear objectives, the expected outcomes, and risk mitigation strategies, the business plan will provide Councillors with a critical tool for informed decision-making.
Item 9.2.5: Group Valuation of Land Policy
Council was presented with two options for approval a Group Valuation of Land Policy. One option was based on land held in common ownership, and the other option was based on identical ownership.
In developing the two policies, Shire Officers sourced information from the Shires of Dardanup, Manjimup and Wagin about their treatment of group valuation requests.
Council approved adopting the policy choice of ‘identical ownership,’ with the onus on the ratepayer to ensure that each Certificate of Title is in the same, identical ownership name.
Thank you for listening to this summary of the June Ordinary Council Meeting. The next Council meeting will be held at 5:00pm on Wednesday 24 July in the Council Chambers.
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