Published on Friday, 29 November 2024 at 3:30:00 PM
Hello, I’m Vivienne MacCarthy, President of the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup. Welcome to the Recap of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 27 November 2024.
There were a number announcements to make before moving into the agenda - the first was regarding the livestream recording of last week’s Agenda Briefing, which worked brilliantly throughout the meeting, but the video failed to save.
The audio is still available and has been uploaded to the Shire’s website.
View our Past Meetings
The next announcement related to 30 November (Saturday). At 11:00am*, the Salvation Army Toy Run will stop in Donnybrook to receive Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children. The motorbikes will stop in the carpark opposite the Post Office, where people can make their donations.
* The event organisers have advised that the riders will be in Donnybrook from 9:30am, and will be departing from approximately 11:00am. For further details about the Toy Run, please refer to the Salvation Army.
Next, the Donnybrook Community Resource Centre (CRC) will be hosting International Day for People With Disability, to be celebrated in Ayers Garden on Monday 2 December from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Information stalls, a sausage sizzle, face painting and other attractions will contribute to a fun and informative event.
The Donnybrook Twilight Christmas Markets are to be held on Friday 13 December from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, also in Ayers Garden. The Donnybrook Balingup Chamber of Commerce & Industry will present local customer service excellence awards at the market.
Finally, the Donnybrook Lions Club’s Christmas Carols are to be held at the Donnybrook Amphitheatre from 4:30pm to 9:00pm on Sunday 22 December.
I hope to see you all there!
Item 9.1.2: Amendment to Local Planning Scheme No. 7
At item 9.1.2, Council approved an amendment to the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme, to rezone land in Argyle from General Agriculture to Rural Residential, with guidelines for a future subdivision.
The amendment addresses previous concerns raised by the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) in 2020, by reducing the number of lots in the proposed subdivision from 18 to 5. Compared with the earlier proposal, this reduces the subdivision’s environmental footprint and provides habitat protection for endangered cockatoo species.
The reduced number of lots, combined with the revised Bushfire Management Plan addresses the concerns raised regarding vegetation classification, bushfire hazard assessments, and emergency access. A copy of Scheme Amendment No. 14 is contained in attachment 9.1.2(1) of the meeting documents.
This decision aligns with the Shire’s Local Planning Strategy, which identifies land for potential rural residential development while safeguarding environmental and agricultural considerations. It ensures a sustainable balance between development and conservation, both of which are priorities within our community led Council Plan (2022-2032).
Item 9.1.3: Re-approval of Extractive Industry (Gravel)
At item 9.1.3, Council conditionally approved an application for the extraction of gravel from Lot 130 on Morrissey Road in Yabberup.
Extraction activity has occurred on the property for the past 15 years, with the original approval in 2009, and extensions in 2013 and 2023, that expired in April 2024. This approval provides for a further 10 years.
The lot is zoned as General Agriculture, and the proposed extraction activity is an ‘A’ category use, which allows for compatible industry, but also means the application requires local government approval and a public notice period. The approval process includes consultation with relevant agencies, and provides an opportunity to review the existing conditions to ensure that the operations from the past meet current best practice standards.
Key matters raised during the consultation period related to dust, noise, truck movemements, impact on local roads, visual amenity, stormwater run-off and rehabilitation. Each of these risks has was considered to be appropriately addressed with 26 conditions placed on the application.
Details of the application, the matters raised, and the conditions of the approval can be found in Agenda item 9.1.3 and the corresponding attachments.
Item 9.1.4: Bliss Festival 2025 - Event Application
At item 9.1.4, Council reviewed an application for Bliss Festival, which is a multi-day, multi-staged event proposed for January 2025. This was refused. Whilst the event would provide community and cultural value, the combination of high bushfire risks associated with the site and the timing of the event, are considered extreme.
January falls within the Shire’s high bushfire threat period (Prohibited Burning Period), from 1 December to 31 March. Key concerns included forest fuel loads over 10 years old near the proposed event site, a lack of adequate refuge zones and poor tele-communications coverage, all of which could severely hinder an emergency response and elevate the fire risk. These risks were identified through the Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) Bushfire Risk Management System, which flagged the site as an ‘extreme’ risk zone.
The Shire values events that enhance community engagement and attract visitors, but public safety must take precedence. The event organisers are encouraged to consider hosting the event outside of the high-risk fire season to ensure a safer experience for patrons, organisers and emergency responders.
Item 9.1.5: Council Events Policy (COMD/CP-6)
At item 9.1.5, Council considered a new Events policy, which aims to standardise the assessment and management of event applications within the Shire.
The policy provides clear guidance for applicants and officers, and clarifies discretionary provisions like temporary works and land use. It also outlines when applications are required, and specifies which applications will be referred to Council.
Following Council workshops and with insights gained from recent event applications, the policy provides a practical, informed approach to event management. Its objective is to support events that provide community benefits which align with the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan 2032, while ensuring compliance with public safety, health, and legislative requirements.
The policy will be open for public comment and following the consultation period will return to Council for further consideration.
Item 9.1.6: Budget Variation (E-Waste Infrastructure Grant)
A recent win for the Shire follows a ban on e-waste going to landfill, which the State Government implemented in July this year. To support the change, the Department of Water & Environmental Regulation (DWER) provided $10m in grant funding. Through this, the Shire has successfully attracted an e-waste grant of $64,003.
The funding will allow for the construction of a shed for e-waste storage at the Balingup Transfer Station, and the collection and transport of e-waste from Donnybrook and Balingup to a process facility, which is currently in Perth.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $70,003, and of this, the Shire is required to cover $6,000 for approvals, certification and siteworks which are not covered under the grant criteria.
Item 9.1.6 approves a budget variation to cover the Shire’s contribution, with the remaining $64,003 covered by the grant. This will allow the Shire to provide an e-waste drop off service in Balingup, enabling like-for-like services to be available at both of our waste management facilities.
Item 9.1.9: Thank a Volunteer Day (Argyle-Irishtown VBFB)
The Argyle-Irishtown Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade were recently successful in obtaining a $1,000 Thank a Volunteer Day Grant from the Department of Communities. At item 9.1.9, Council approved that the Shire receive the funding on behalf of the brigade under an auspice agreement.
Through this grant, the brigade will hold a Thank a Volunteer Community Open Day in December, which is an opportunity to recognise current members with a service medal award, a ceremony, as well as showcase existing equipment in an effort to encourage new community volunteers.
Members of the Argyle-Irishtown Bush Fire Ready Group will also be in attendance to share information with members of the community in order to raise bushfire awareness and preparedness within the community.
As a side note, the event is to be held at the Irishtown Arboretum on Sunday 1 December* and provides an opportunity for the Irishtown community to celebrate their recovery from the loss of access to their homes, following the recent Irishtown bridge fire. I’m looking forward to seeing the artistic work from Irishtown’s younger residents when they paint their temporary school bus shelter.
People attending are asked to park on the Irishtown side of the bridge if you’re coming from Irishtown, to allow enough space in the arboretum.
* This is taking place on Sunday 1 December 2024, not November.
Thank you for listening to this Recap covering the Ordinary Council Meeting for November. The next meeting will be held on 18 December 2024. After that, our first OCM for 2025 is planned for February, but as always you can find more information and documents related to our Council Meetings on the Shire website.
Back to All News