Published on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 at 11:00:00 AM
Below is the Shire President’s Recap of the Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) that was held on Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Click the buttons below to jump to the item covered in this Recap:
Item 9.1.1: Local Planning Strategy – Consultation Outcomes & Submission to WAPC
Item 9.2.3: Write-off of 2025/26 Rates & Interest on FPC Properties
Item 9.2.4: Request for Write-off – Balingup & Districts Tourism Association
Item 9.3.1: Offer to Purchase – Lot 351 Victoria Pde, Donnybrook
Item 9.3.2: Asset Optimisation – Workforce Plan Amendment
Item 9.3.3: Goods Shed Lease – Post-Expiry Arrangements
Item 9.1.1: Local Planning Strategy – Consultation Outcomes & Submission to WAPC
What did Council receive?
The Shire’s Local Planning Strategy (Strategy) guides how land use change and development within the Shire over the next 15 years, aligning closely to our Council Plan. It will also outline how broader State planning requirements can be applied and implemented at a local level. The vision of this Strategy is “To support sustainable development within the Shire to attract new residents and business investment, whilst supporting the growth of strong and vibrant communities, living in harmony with the natural environment.”
Input from the community and authorised agencies has been essential to the development of the Local Planning Strategy, with key stakeholders involved since 2022. An overview of the themes from the feedback received through recent consultation was provided at a Council workshop held in April this year, and the latest draft Local Planning Strategy (Part 1 and Part 2) was presented to Council at this month’s OCM. Further details about the development and the final modifications are available in the report and supporting attachments for this item.
What was the outcome?
Council resolved to proceed with a submission to the WA Planning Commission (WAPC), continuing the process for preparing a Local Planning Strategy as outlined in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. Below is a brief summary of the process, our progress so far, and what will come next.
- Initial drafting and early development (complete)
- Draft Strategy sent to WAPC for approval, ensuring it meets legislative requirements (complete)
- Start public consultation and advertise the Strategy for community feedback (complete)
- Review submissions and update the Strategy to reflect feedback and incorporate community input (complete)
- Submit the Strategy, with feedback summary and changes, to WAPC for final endorsement (outcome from the June OCM).
- WAPC advises the Shire of the final decision (within ~60 day of submission). The WAPC can:
- Approve the Strategy as-is, with no changes necessary,
- Approve it with changes,
- Request further changes, or
- Refuse it.
- The Strategy comes into effect only when approved by the WAPC
- This means that the previous Strategy (from 2014) will no longer be in effect, as it will be replaced by the new one
- The new Strategy will guide the preparation, implementation and review of the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme No. 8 (LPS8)
Item 9.2.3: Write-off of 2025/26 Rates & Interest on FPC Properties
What did Council receive?
Council was advised that the Forest Products Commission (FPC) is exempt from paying local government rates and must instead pay an equivalent amount to the State Treasury. As a result, Council must write off $13,623.17 in rates and interest for the 2025-2026 period. Similar write-offs are expected for the upcoming 2026-2027 financial year, and will be addressed through the annual budget process. The FPC has offered a $25,000 sponsorship over two years to help offset the impact.
What was the outcome?
Council approved the write-off of rates and interest for FPC-owned properties, noting that it is also anticipated that these properties will be reclassified as non-rateable before the 2027-2028 period.
The Shire will continue advocating for a long-term contribution through the Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils (WBAC).
Item 9.2.4: Request for Write-off – Balingup & Districts Tourism Association
What did Council receive?
Council received a request from the Balingup and Districts Tourism Association (BADTA) to write off an outstanding receipt of $2,727.27 for Transit Park bookings collected on behalf of the Shire between April and June 2025. BADTA shared that recent changes – including the return of Transit Park management to the Shire, reduced funding, and other organisational pressures – have affected its financial position, and therefore the Association is currently unable to remit the outstanding receipts.
What was the outcome?
Council approved the write-off of the outstanding amount, recognising the impact of recent changes, the value the Association provides to the community, and its continued role in supporting tourism initiatives.
Item 9.3.1: Offer to Purchase – Lot 351 Victoria Pde, Donnybrook
What did Council receive?
Council considered a proposal to purchase Lot 351 Victoria Parade, Donnybrook, which recently became available for sale. Through negotiations, the Shire has secured an opportunity to purchase this lot for $10,000, recognising its strategic importance in providing future road access to currently landlocked residential properties. As part of the agreement, the vendor requested that outstanding rates totalling $1,323.05 across three (3) related lots be written off, which was also included in the proposal. The acquisition would support future housing development and help address identified shortages in residential land supply within the Shire.
What was the outcome?
Council resolved to approve proceeding with the purchase of Lot 351 and the associated write-off of outstanding rates as part of the negotiated agreement.
This decision reflects Council’s commitment to improving housing availability, with the site playing a key role in unlocking land for future development. Funding for the purchase and early planning work will be drawn from proceeds of recent asset sales, positioning the Shire to pursue future infrastructure funding opportunities.
Item 9.3.2: Asset Optimisation – Workforce Plan Amendment
What did Council receive?
Council considered a proposed update to the Shire’s Workforce Plan to strengthen how it manages assets and delivers services.
With responsibility for around $335 million in assets, the review identified a need to better support staff, improve asset knowledge, and strengthen planning and project delivery. The proposed changes include new and restructured roles to build capability, respond to increased responsibilities (including from Main Roads WA), and support more proactive, long-term asset management.
What was the outcome?
Council approved the Workforce Plan amendment, which will be included in the 2026-2027 annual budget. These changes aim to improve day-to-day operations, strengthen leadership and support for staff, and ensure the Shire is better equipped to manage its assets, deliver projects and key services to meet community needs, and plan for the future in a sustainable way.
Item 9.3.3: Goods Shed Lease – Post-Expiry Arrangements
What did Council receive?
Council considered the future of the Goods Shed lease following its expiry along with a request from the current lessee to continue operating under revised arrangements. Council has been advised that while the facility continues to support activity in the Station Square area, there are several outstanding matters to resolve, including financial obligations and arrangements for the Interpretive Centre and associated historical displays.
This matter has been presented to Council to determine an appropriate and balanced course of action that:
- Recognises the current operational context of the facility,
- Supports continued engagement with the lessee, and
- Ensures outstanding matters are appropriately addressed as part of any future arrangement.
What was the outcome?
Council supported a short-term holdover arrangement to allow the current lessee to continue operating on a temporary basis while outstanding matters are addressed. The CEO has been authorised to negotiate this arrangement with clear conditions and time limits in place. Any longer-term lease or future use of the site will be brought back to Council for further consideration.
This approach provides time to resolve outstanding issues, maintain activation of the space, and consider longer-term options for the site in a balanced and practical way.
Thank you for reading this Recap of key items from the June 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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