Published on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 at 4:00:00 PM
Below is the Shire President’s Recap of the Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) that was held on Wednesday 26 August 2026.
Click the buttons below to jump to the item covered in this Recap:
Item 9.1.1: MRWA Draft Speed Zoning Policy – consultation response
Item 9.3.1: Smashed Avo Festival 2026 – event application
Items 9.3.2 & 9.3.3: Community Housing Review
Item 9.3.5: ICT Strategy & Roadmap
Item 10.1.1: Firewood Collection Management – Elected Member Motion
Item 9.1.1: MRWA Draft Speed Zoning Policy – consultation response
What did Council receive?
Main Roads WA (MRWA) is currently seeking stakeholder feedback on its proposed Draft Speed Zoning Policy and Application Guidelines. The draft policy aims to create a more consistent and evidence-based approach to setting speed limits across Western Australia, with a strong focus on road safety and how roads are used by people and places. It outlines the processes for introducing, amending or removing speed limits, and applies to roads managed by local governments, MRWA and other public road authorities.
As these decisions can have a significant impact on local communities, the consultation provides an opportunity for local governments to help ensure local knowledge, community needs and planning considerations are reflected in the policy.
Council received the Shire's proposed submission to MRWA, which supports the overall intent of the policy while recommending improvements to ensure future speed zoning decisions are transparent, informed by local knowledge, and aligned with local government planning and responsibilities.
What was the outcome?
Council endorsed the Shire's response, approving it for submission to MRWA.
As identified in the Council Plan 2026-2036, maintaining safe and effective local roads is a key priority for our community. Providing feedback on policies such as this is a way the Shire can advocate for local needs, and supports Objective 8.1: Improve road safety, connectivity and traffic flow for all users under the broader goal of safe, efficient and sustainable transport networks.
Further information about this submission is available in the report included in the OCM Minutes, and a copy of the proposed submission is available in the corresponding attachments.
Item 9.3.1: Smashed Avo Festival 2026 – event application
What did Council receive?
An application from Illumiparti has been received, which proposes for the Smashed Avo Festival to be held over the 2026-2027 New Year period in Newlands (approx. 10 minutes away from Donnybrook and 5 minutes away from Kirup). It will be a public, ticketed event with a cap of 2,900 patrons, with up to 400 comprising volunteers and contributors, described by the applicant as “a multi-day camping festival celebrating music, art and community” similar to the event held last year.
The application proposes for music to play over four (4) distinct stages during several “music windows” (time frames) that start from approximately midday and end early the following morning. The applicant has advised that the final production schedule is still yet to be finalised, with the stage opening and closing times subject to change depending on the type of music proposed.
As this event spans across multiple days, and in accordance with various legislative requirements, Council is required to review the application and determine the final outcome.
What was the outcome?
Council resolved to approve the Smashed Avo Festival application, subject to a number of terms and conditions relating to access and traffic management, along with several risk management requirements to ensure the safety of attendees and the broader community.
Additional conditions were also included for noise management, including:
- “Music Windows” are to be limited to the following time frames:
- 12:00pm on Thursday 31 Dec. 2026 to 3:00am on Friday 1 Jan. 2027
- 12:00pm on Friday 1 Jan. 2027 to 1:30am on Saturday 2 Jan. 2027
- 12:00pm on Saturday 2 Jan. 2027 to 1:30am on Sunday 3 Jan. 2027
- A Noise Prediction Modelling report is to be prepared by a suitably qualified Acoustic Consultant
- Sound levels are to be monitored for the full duration of the event, including peak times, by a suitably qualified Acoustic Consultant
- Monitoring is to be conducted at 4 locations (1x on-site, 3x external to the venue)
Further details about the application and final amendments requested by Council prior to approval are available in the OCM Minutes.
Items 9.3.2 & 9.3.3: Community Housing Review
What did Council receive?
At the OCM held on 28 May 2025, Council requested a review of the Shire's current approach to managing its retirement and community housing facilities. This initiative aligns with ongoing investigations to identify the most appropriate long-term arrangements for Council’s assets, balancing community aspirations and local needs with practicality and financial sustainability.
This review focuses on ensuring community housing services remain available within the district while reducing the financial, operational and governance risks associated with direct local government ownership and management. It includes three (3) Shire-owned facilities; Preston Retirement Village, Minninup Cottages, and Langley Villas.
Since requesting this review in May 2025, background research and preliminary assessments have been completed. The residents of these facilities have also been met with directly to discuss the review, address their concerns, and hear their feedback.
What was the outcome?
As each of these facilities have different legal, financial and management arrangements, they need to be considered through different pathways. As such, Council resolved to proceed with the following for each facility respectively.
- Commence discussions with Department of Community regarding Minninup Cottages and Langley Villas – see item 9.3.2 of this OCM.
- Undertake Expression of Interest* (EOI) process for Preston Retirement Village – see item 9.3.3 of this OCM.
The detailed reports for these items are available in the OCM Minutes. A project information page is also available on the Shire website, where you can find further details about this review and ongoing updates.
* Note: The EOI process is a market testing process only and does not commit Council to proceed with any sale, lease, transfer, or other transaction. A report of outcomes from this process, along with any other statutory requirements, will be presented to Council prior to any further decisions.
More about the Community Housing Review
View past Council Meeting documents
Item 9.3.5: ICT Strategy & Roadmap
What did Council receive?
The ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Strategy, prepared by Tango IT, outlines a long-term plan to modernise the Shire's technology systems and strengthen cyber security, governance and digital services. When reviewing the Shire’s current ICT environment, it was identified that several existing systems are ageing and would benefit from better integration, stronger cyber security measures, and more structured ICT governance and support arrangements.
To address these challenges, the Strategy proposes a staged implementation program over approximately four (4) years, including:
- Replacement of the Shire's core business systems.
- Improved ICT governance and planning.
- Stronger cyber security measures.
- Enhanced digital services and technology solutions.
The proposed program represents a significant organisational investment and is intended to support more secure, efficient and sustainable service delivery into the future.
What was the outcome?
Council adopted the ICT Strategy and Roadmap, providing a clear direction for the future management and improvement of the Shire's technology systems.
Implementation will occur in stages and be guided by the Shire's Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) and workforce planning processes. Progress, risks and financial impacts will also be monitored and reported through the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee (ARIC).
While strengthening cyber security is a key driver, the Strategy also supports broader improvements to governance, business systems and organisational efficiency, helping ensure the Shire is well positioned to meet future service and community needs.
Item 10.1.1: Firewood Collection Management – Elected Member Motion
Cr Anita Lindemann brought forward an Elected Member Motion seeking to further understand the management of firewood collection within the Shire.
This is the first step in exploring a complex issue, with the aim of better understanding how environmental protection and community access to firewood can be balanced into the future. Findings, suggestions, and any other related information will be reported back to Council for consideration at the OCM scheduled for October 2026.
This topic has been explored in further detail in a separate publication, available on our website.
See the full announcement here
Thank you for reading this Recap of key items from the August 2026 OCM. You can browse information and documents related to Council Meetings via the Shire website. For further details on the items mentioned above, please refer to the reports and corresponding attachments within the Minutes of this meeting.
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