The Asset Optimisation Project (AOP)

The Shire is custodian of approximately $335 million of community assets, including roads, bridges, footpaths, buildings, and parks, which are essential for delivering services to the community. The Asset Optimisation Project (AOP) is a strategic initiative to comprehensively review these assets and identify those that can be rationalised and optimised.

More Info & FAQs

Community Engagement

Community engagement is a vital part of the AOP because the assets under review support services and facilities used by everyone in the Shire. By listening to the community’s views and priorities, Council can make better decisions about which assets to keep, improve, or rationalise. This ensures that any changes made reflect the needs of residents and protect important services, encourages shared ownership of the project outcomes, and supports informed decision-making that benefits the whole community now and into the future.

Open for Comment

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held in May 2025, Council requested staff to consult with the community about the possible sale or future use of the following properties that were identified for potential disposal.

  • Lot 3122 Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road, Beelerup (formerly known as the Wellington District Pony Club)
  • Lot 21 Reserve Street, Donnybrook
  • Lots 12 (102) & 13 (104) Trigwell Street East, Donnybrook (locally known as the Walter Trigwell Park)
  • Lot 126 Yelverton Street & Lot 189 Union Street, Donnybrook

To make it easy for everyone to have their say, submissions can be made through an online form or in writing - you can obtain a copy of the physical form via the Shire Administration Office during open hours, or download a copy to print (see below). Details of the items open for comment are included alongside either option. Submissions close at 4:00pm (AWST) on Friday 25 July 2025.

Additional Information & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Background Information

The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup is the custodian of approx. $335m of community assets including roads, bridges, footpaths, buildings and parks. It is through these assets that we deliver services to the community. The Shire is committed to implementing sound financial and asset management practices to ensure sufficient funds for maintaining and replacing community assets are available now and into the future. Like many other local governments across Australia, historically, Council has not been raising enough funds to adequately maintain and renew its broadening asset base – this is known as the asset sustainability gap. This is not a new phenomenon, occurring as the result of a gradual increase in the number of assets and the cost to maintain and/or renew them over a number of decades.

In 2023 the need for a considered and sustained approach to addressing the asset sustainability gap was identified, and in 2024 Council commenced a review of its property assets to identify opportunities to rationalise certain properties which no longer provide a tangible service to the community. It is proposed that the proceeds from the sale of these properties would be re-invested into closing the asset sustainability gap whilst still ensuring key assets which deliver much-need community services are maintained – this is the key focus of Council’s Asset Optimisation Project (AOP).

Funds may also be used to finance future projects which will lead to tangible service delivery efficiencies and financial sustainability. Undertaking the strategic review and informed disposal of redundant Council assets will assist in addressing the asset sustainability gap in the future. This exercise follows the identification of the following levers:

  • Increasing recurrent revenue from rates,
  • Reviewing the Shire’s asset base to confirm whether assets owned continue to deliver the required level of service utility,
  • Review levels of services for ongoing services, and
  • Review the service delivery model for existing Council delivered services.

Of these levers, the AOP focuses on undertaking the strategic review and informed disposal of redundant Council assets to reduce the requirement to raise rates in the future to address the asset sustainability gap.

Ownership History of properties open for comment

Lot 3122 Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road, Beelerup (formerly known as the Wellington District Pony Club) - Ownership History:
  1. Ray Oswell Gardiner, Beelerup farmer, transferred to,
  2. Thomas Rudd, William Trigwell and Ronald Kitney, Donnybrook Orchardists 13 January 1950, transferred to,
  3. Shire of Donnybrook, 7 April 1970.
    • Previously leased to Wellington District Pony Club, concluded 30 June 2022. 
    Lot 126 Yelverton Street & Lot 189 Union Street, Donnybrook - Ownership History:
    • Reserve 19387
    • Current Vesting: Management Order to the Shire
    • Current Purpose: Public Utility
    • Land Use: Government Requirements

    Previous Consultations

    This section will be updated soon.

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