Published on Wednesday, 1 April 2026 at 9:30:00 AM
This is the Shire President’s Recap of the Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) that was held on Wednesday 25 March 2026.
Click the buttons below to jump to the item covered in this Recap:
Messages & Announcements from the Shire President
Item 9.1.1: Development Application - Pine Plantation, Mumballup
Item 9.1.2: Development Application - Pine Plantation, Noggerup
Item 9.1.5: Change of DWMF Open Hours
Item 9.2.3: Annual Review of LTFP
Messages & Announcements from the Shire President
Before launching into the main items from the latest Ordinary Council Meeting, below are some updates I shared in my opening announcements.
Update of decision by Forest Product Commissions decision to cease paying rates to local Shires
You may recall that the Forest Products Commission (FPC) has embarked on a $300m, 10 year program to acquire land within a 150km radius of the FPC processing plant in Dardanup, for the purpose of boosting WA’s softwood timber supplies. In September 2025, FPC ceased paying rates on acquired land, resulting in approximately $9,500 reduction to the Shire’s 2025-2026 rates revenue.
On Friday 19 March, the State Government confirmed that FPC will provide sponsorship funding in lieu of rates through to June 2027. The Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils (WBAC), which includes the Shires of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Boyup Brook, Donnybrook Balingup, Manjimup and Nannup, welcomes this outcome as an important step in recognising the impact the loss of rate revenue has had on local governments and their communities. It provides some certainty for our councils as we plan and deliver essential services.
See full update here
Council Committees & Reference Groups
OPEN FOR COMMENT: Draft Community Engagement Framework
The Draft Community Engagement Framework is open for comment to all community members – that’s everyone; residents, ratepayers, local businesses, young people, emergency and health workers, teachers. We need to know if the framework is clear, meets your needs, is accessible and if you think it could be improved. Have your say through the Community Survey on the item listed in Consultations on our website, submissions close 4:00pm on Wednesday 8 April 2026.
See Consultation item
Upcoming Events
A number of events are taking place very soon that may be of interest to you:
- Blackwood River Arts Trail & Blackwood Film Festival, 28 March to 6 April – check out the brilliant work from our local creatives!
- Halls Heritage Tour, 26 April – free to attend, registrations available online now
- ‘Brook Fest Brainstorm Pizza Party, 13 April – for young people aged 10-25 at the Donnybrook Recreation Centre, have your say in ideas for ‘Brook Fest (to be held in Septemer or October)
- Donnybrook Apple Festival, 4 April
- Balingup Small Farm Field Day, 18 April
- Donnybrook Station Markets, 18 April
- Community Volunteer Celebration, COMING SOON – Shire event held during National Volunteers Week in May, featuring a keynote speaker, band and awards
See all upcoming events
Item 9.1.1: Development Application - Pine Plantation, Mumballup
What did Council receive?
Development Application (DA) P25010 was received from Delta Forestry Pty Ltd (for Cultura Australia Pty Ltd), which proposes to use Lot 212 Hearle Road, Mumballup for a Tree Plantation (Pine). The application included a Forest Management Plan, Fire Management Plan, and both public and agency consultation submissions.
The property has been previously used for grazing and has no existing buildings on the lot, spanning a total area of 65ha. The proposed plantation would cover 51ha, with the remaining land retained as native vegetation, buffers and watercourses, and firebreaks/tracks. The plantation would establish Pinus radiata trees (softwood) intended for future supply to domestic/international markets, mainly for timber house frames and associated products.
The Shire also received a submission requesting that the retained native vegetation be expanded to provide a nature corridor, which was later supported by a Deputation presented to Council at the Agenda Briefing Session prior to this OCM.
What was the outcome?
Lot 212 Hearle Road, Mumballup, is within the General Agriculture zone, where using the land for a Plantation is permitted and, as such, cannot be refused. However, Council may impose conditions to ensure compliance with the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme No. 7 (LPS7) development standards and requirements. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding environmental impacts, including native vegetation, waterway protection, and fire safety.
Council resolved to approve the application (including approval for two dams), with conditions in place to manage environmental impacts, protect heritage, and maintain fire and road safety.
Item 9.1.2: Development Application - Pine Plantation, Noggerup
What did Council receive?
DA P25071 was also received from Delta Forestry Pty Ltd (for Cultura Australia Pty Ltd), which proposes to use Lot 3711 and Lot 3734 (3543) Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road, Noggerup, for the same purpose as the previous application; a Tree Plantation (Pine) establishing Pinus radiata trees (softwood) intended for future supply to domestic/international markets, mainly for timber house frames and associated products.
Combined, the lots span a total of 224ha and have been previously used for grazing and have existing dams and sheds (to be retained). An uninhabitable dwelling also exists on Lot 3711, which will be demolished prior to commencing planting activities. The proposed plantation would cover 147ha, with the remaining land retained as native vegetation, buffers and watercourses, firebreaks/tracks, and dams.
As part of the assessment, Council considered feedback from both the public and government agencies. This included several objections, as well as a community petition from Noggerup that was presented to Council at the February 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.
Across all submissions, concerns were raised about bushfire risk, protection of the townsite, impacts on watercourses, and the visual amenity of the area. Key issues included:
- The impact of the pine plantation on groundwater relied upon by Noggerup residents
- Loss of visual and rural amenity along the Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road
- Potential impacts from noise, dust and other disturbances
- Heritage and cultural values, as the proposal intersects with a registered Aboriginal heritage site
- Environmental impacts, particularly the clearing and disturbance of native vegetation that provides habitat for black cockatoos and western ringtail possums (threatened species)
- Degredation of native species and reduced biodiversity
What was the outcome?
Council resolved to defer the application to the May OCM, requesting to investigate potential impacts to groundwater, as well as the development of a section(s) across the landform that show the relative elevation of the plantation and Noggerup townsite, and relative depth of primary taproots and bores. This would provide a first pass to assess at what depth the plantation may draw water to consider if there may be drawdown effect that could impact existing access to groundwater.
However, the statutory timeframe for Council to consider the application lapsed at the time of this decision and therefore, the applicant may exercise the right to have the decision reviewed by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).
Item 9.1.5: Change of Donnybrook Waste Management Facility (DWMF) Open Hours
What did Council receive?
In mid‑February 2026, a kerbside collection truck unloading at Donnybrook Waste Managament Facility (DWMF) identified that part of its load was smouldering. When exposed to air, the waste ignited. Thankfully, a site attendant was present at the time and acted quickly to remove the burning waste, with the fire safely extinguished by the Donnybrook Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. While no damage occurred, the incident was classified as a “near miss” and highlighted the importance of having staff on site during kerbside waste drop‑offs.
Kerbside waste collected throughout the Shire is delivered to DWMF, and under the operating hours prior to 30 March 2026, these deliveries could occur when the site was unattended. This increases the risk of:
- Fires from “hot loads” caused by inappropriate items such as batteries, vapes, aerosols or hot ash – items like these are known as Household Hazardous Waste, which should be taken to a designated drop-off point for disposal (refer to Watch Your Waste to learn more)
- Fires spreading within the landfill
- Impact to surrounding State Forest, nearby properties and the Donnybrook townsite
- Temporary facility closures and waste being redirected off‑site
Landfill fires are difficult to extinguish and pose serious safety, environmental and community risks. To reduce these risks, it was proposed to adjust the weekday opening hours to ensure that a site attendant is present during kerbside waste deliveries. This change is supported by:
- A slight reduction in weekend opening hours to offset staffing costs
- Updated gate signage
- Future tip passes displaying a QR code only, directing customers to one reliable source for current opening hours
What was the outcome?
Council resolved to implement the suggested changes, with the new schedule in effect from Monday 30 March 2026 – refer to the Shire website to see current open hours.
Waste Management & Facilities
Item 9.2.3: Annual Review of Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP)
What did Council receive?
The Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) is a critical document that serves to inform the annual budget process by projecting our financial commitments over the next 15 years, in line with the Integrated Planning & Reporting (IPR) Framework. It identifies a clear and sustainable pathway for the Shire to fulfil its responsibilities including maintaining assets and planning for future infrastructure, while ensuring service delivery and meeting community needs.
The LTFP covers the 15-year period 2026/27 – 2040/41. This follows the latest annual review of the Asset Management Plans and Financial Informing Plans (Reserve Fund Plan, Borrowings Plan, Rating Objectives Strategy) received at the February 2026 OCM.
What was the outcome?
In reviewing the LTFP, there is a need to recognise and thank Shire staff, Councillors and our community for the progress we have achieved together. Since returning to a full Council in 2023 and the identification of a 26% gap in the Shire’s long-term asset management and renewal funding, Council has maintained a commitment to forging a sustainable pathway forward, guided by the LTFP.
In the 2025-2026 Budget, $2.18m was allocated to asset renewal, demonstrating tangible progress in closing the gap. Council received and accepted this year’s LTFP, which confirms that as we head into the 2026-2027 Budget, the Shire’s rate yield requirement is projected to be 6.7%* below sustainable levels – a significant improvement on the 26% funding gap we faced at this time two years ago.
Our story is a positive one. It shows what is possible when we balance the needs of today with our responsibility to future generations. I’ve shared further details in my President’s Update - March 2026, which you can read online or in the Shire Connect section of the Preston Press coming out in April.
* INDICATIVE RATE INCREASE ONLY, NOT FINAL – this has been shared in the spirit of transparency and openness, however please keep in mind that this is an indication only and preparations for the next Annual Budget are ongoing.
See President's Update - March 2026
Thank you for reading this Recap of key items from the March 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.
See more about Council Meetings
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