Published on Monday, 27 July 2026 at 2:00:00 PM
Donnybrook’s main street garden beds have been refreshed with waterwise native plants that reflect our shared commitment to caring for our environment while ensuring our public spaces remain welcoming, vibrant, and full of character.
While the previous seasonal flower displays brought plenty of charm, the new waterwise plantings have been carefully selected to thrive in local conditions and support long-term environmental sustainability. “The garden beds have been completely transformed, and they look fantastic,” said Vivienne MacCarthy, Shire President.
“We are very proud of this project because it’s a living example of how a simple change can deliver lasting benefits for our community. Not only have we created an attractive and welcoming space for residents and visitors to enjoy, we've also embraced a more sustainable approach that is better suited to our local environment and makes thoughtful use of precious water resources.”
“It’s actions like this that help build healthy and connected communities, demonstrate our shared commitment to sustainability, and ensure our public spaces remain attractive, resilient and welcoming for future generations. The main street garden beds play an important role in creating a town centre our community can be proud of. I encourage everyone to take a moment to pause, enjoy the new plantings and see the transformation for themselves the next time they're in town!”
Here are just a few of the reasons why this initiative is so meaningful:
Local grass trees have been given a second life
Every single grass tree featured in the garden beds was salvaged and relocated from recent site clearing works for the new Argyle-Irishtown Bush Fire Brigade (BFB) fire station, preserving these iconic WA plants for the community to enjoy while reducing replacement costs and making practical use of existing vegetation.
It’s a smarter use of precious water resources
The refreshed garden beds incorporate WA native waterwise plants that are better suited to local conditions, helping to reduce water demand while maintaining an attractive and welcoming town centre.
It supports a healthy and sustainable natural environment
This initiative is a practical example of the Shire’s commitment to caring for our environment and encouraging sustainable practices through visible, community-focused initiatives.
It reflects our values and local identity
Streetscapes, trees and verges were identified among the Shire's highest-performing service areas in the 2025 Markyt Community Scorecard, highlighting the importance locals place on attractive and well-maintained public spaces. Featuring iconic WA species such as grass trees and kangaroo paws, the refreshed garden beds also help strengthen the identity of Donnybrook and reflect the environmental values that are important to our community. These locally recognisable plants create a stronger sense of place for residents and visitors while showcasing the natural beauty of the South West.
It reduces ongoing maintenance costs
By reusing salvaged grass trees and transitioning from seasonal flower displays to hardy native plantings, the Shire has delivered a practical, cost-effective solution that will reduce planting, watering and maintenance requirements over time. The move to hardy native species means less ongoing maintenance for the Shire's Parks & Gardens crew, allowing staff to focus their time and expertise on other public spaces across the community while helping ensure resources are used efficiently.
It’s a glimpse of the future
The refresh reflects the direction outlined in the Shire's Council Plan, which includes the future development of a sustainable landscaping program for public and private verges, with consideration given to native, non-invasive, waterwise and firewise plant species.
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