Published on Monday, 8 December 2025 at 11:00:00 AM
Below is the Shire President’s Recap of the Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) that was held on Wednesday 26 November 2025.
Messages & Announcements from the Shire President
Taking Liberty
CircuitWest & Theatre 180, in association with WA Museum, present a Shows on the Go tour of TAKING LIBERTY by Ingle Knight, taking place at the Donnybrook Soldiers Memorial Hall from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday 16 December 2025. Tickets are $20 per person and are currently available online via Humanitix.
Item 9.1.1: Development Application P25015 – Extractive Industry (Gravel), Upper Capel
Item Overview – Development Application P25015
- Applicant: Amando Carbone (Carbone Bros Pty Ltd)
- Location: Lot 77 (706) Upper Capel Road, Upper Capel
- Proposal: Extractive Industry (Gravel)
The Development Application proposes to extract, screen/crush, and transport approximately 80,000m³ of gravel over a five (5) year period from the property, with the operation to occur in four (4) stages with an estimated maximum annual extraction of 20,000m³. Upon completion of each stage, the applicant proposes to progressively rehabilitate the disturbed areas back to pasture to support future rural uses consistent with the existing land use and zoning.
During the consultation period of this DA, several concerns were raised that prompted the applicant to revise the proposal. The main changes included adjustments to mitigate noise and visual impacts for nearby residents – additionally, the hours of operation have been amended and a road contribution has been proposed.
Item Outcome (Council’s Decision)
Council resolved to approve only stage 1 and 2 of this application, subject to various conditions and advice – this includes a requirement for progress reports to be submitted to the Shire annually. The report is to provide details on the extent of extraction undertaken, completion of stages and their rehabilitation, and a site survey plan.
Item 9.1.2: Development Application P25035 – Extractive Industry (Sand), Yabberup
Item Overview – Development Application P25035
- Applicant: Edward Stroud (Westwall Holdings)
- Location: Lot 10 Donnybrook Boyup-Brook Road, Yabberup
- Proposal: Extractive Industry (Sand)
In August 2023, Council (at the time, the Commissioner) approved Development Application P22022 for gravel extraction on the same lot. Since then, subsequent investigations have identified the presence of sand within the approved exraction footprint, and the current proposal – Development Application P25035 – seeks approval to extract sand in addition to gravel (already approved).
This application proposes to extract, screen and transport approximately 80,000 tonnes of sand over a 5-year period, with operations to occur over 3 areas of the previously approved 6-stage gravel extraction site. No concurrent extraction of sand and gravel will take place, and within each stage, sand will be extracted and stockpiled first, followed by gravel extraction once sand removal is complete. After completion of gravel extraction, the land will be progressively rehabilitated to irrigated pasture to support sheep farming.
Item Outcome (Council’s Decision)
Council resolved to approve this application, subject to various conditions and advice. A summary of the new proposal compared against the previously approved application is available in the Background of the item report in the Meeting Minutes of this OCM.
Item 9.1.3: Development Application P25052 – Forward Works & Major Works Lease Consent
Item Overview – Development Application P25052
- Applicant: Planning Solutions (on behalf of Hall & Prior Health and Aged Care Group)
- Location: Lot 502 (30) Allnutt Street, Donnybrook
- Proposal: Approval of forward works and lease consent associated with the redevelopment of Tuia Lodge (Aged Persons Accommodation)
The proposed forward works include minor demolition works of the existing facility along with various site works in preparation and support of future development.
Item Outcome (Council’s Decision)
Council resolved to approve the application subject to various conditions and advice which address or mitigate key concerns raised relating to loss of native habitat, environmental degredation, and possible amenity and lifestyle impacts for local residents.
Item 9.1.4: Proposed Road Name Change – Kirkpatrick Street, Beelerup
At item 9.1.4, Council resolved to submit a request to Landgate to change the name of Kirkpatrick Street in Beelerup, as there are two (2) roads with this name within the Shire – one in Beelerup and one in Upper Capel. Naturally this has caused some issues for residents and visitors respectively, and it was also raised that this can impact essential service providers and local emergency response.
To address this duplication and improve wayfinding within the Shire, Council will request for the following proposed changes to be actioned.
BEELERUP: Extend the name of “Cherrydale Way” to the full existing sealed road that connects to Sandhills Road, removing the need for the “Kirkpatrick Street, Beelerup” address. From a driver’s perspective, this would not impact navigation of the area.
UPPER CAPEL: Kirkpatrick Road, Upper Capel is a 1.14 km gravel road within a road reserve, located off Ryall Road. The acceptance of this street name puts into practice the long-held local use of this road name, and having the name endorsed by Landgate ensures that all maps relied upon by both utility providers and emergency services will be consistent with local use.
One resident’s feedback was very supportive as they have experienced 22 years of issues with agencies and service providers having difficulty locating their physical address. Preliminary comments from Landgate are also generally supportive of the changes as proposed.
Item 9.2.5: Offer of Purchase & Proposed Disposition of Property – Donnybrook
At item 9.2.5, Council received an Offer of Purchase and Proposed Disposition of Property for Property Lot 58 (70) South Western Highway, Donnybrook. This property was purchased by the Shire in January 2002 from Westpac Banking Corporation and has been leased to Donnybrook Capel Districts Community Financial Services (DCDCFS) Ltd, which operates the local community Bendigo Bank branch in the main street of the Donnybrook townsite.
During the lease term, DCDCFS has expressed interest in purchasing the property from Council on several occasions, with discussions starting in 2018. The lease has continued under agreed ‘holding over’ provisions since 2023, with all original terms and conditions remaining in effect.
Item 9.2.6: Application for Rates Exemption – Donnybrook Arts & Crafts Group
At item 9.2.6, Council received an Application for Rates Exemption from the Donnybrook Arts & Crafts Group (DACG) for Lot 25 (108) South Western Highway, Donnybrook, who purchased the property in April 2025. They have also occupied the property exclusively since September 2025. This change in circumstances, combined with DACG’s charitable status obtained in July 2024, has prompted the organisation to submit this application under section 6.26(2)(g) of the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act). This section of the Act outlines that Council may grant a rates exemption to a not-for-profit organisation that demonstrated a public purpose and holds charitable status as recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).
Council resolved to grant the exemption and, in recognition of the exemption, requested that the CEO invite the DACG to present to Council, highlighting the activities and benefits they provide to the community and exploring opportunities to promote broader community benefit.
Item 9.2.7: Donnybrook Clock Tower Proposal – Community Consultation Results
At item 9.2.7, Council received the results of the community consultation relating to the Donnybrook Clock Tower Proposal, as per the outcomes of the OCM held in August 2025. The item was open for public comment from Wednesday 10 September to Friday 3 October 2025, and included social media posts, website alerts, and public notices.
A total of 13 responses were received during the consultation period, with the notice posted to Facebook resulting in 1,368 views and 21 clicks on the link to the Consultation page on the Shire website. While supportive of the proposal’s overall themes, most respondents suggested other ways to achieve its goals beyond a Clock Tower or similar structure. Alternative locations were widely suggested and several other ideas were shared, included digital displays, market spaces, or enhancements to existing heritage sites. Additionally, almost all respondents opposed the proposed site of Ayres Garden in Donnybrook, citing strong concern over the removal of the “Quercus Palustris” tree which holds community and commemorative value.
Following consideration of the consultation responses and report details, Council resolved to confirm its support of the the Donnybrook Clock Tower project and for the applicant to proceed as proposed.
2026 Meeting Dates
At item 9.2.9, Council adopted the meeting dates for the 2026 Agenda Briefing Sessions (ABS) and Ordinary Council Meetings (OCM). Additionally, the December 2025 ABS and OCM have been adjusted to commence at 3:00pm instead of the previously scheduled time of 5:00pm – please note that only the times have changed, and no further amendments have been made.
Similarly, at item 9.2.10, Council adopted the Audit & Risk Management Committee (ARMC) meeting dates for 2026. Details are available in the meeting minutes, and a calendar of the 2026 Council Meetings will be shared by the end of 2025.
Thank you for reading this Recap of key items from the November 2025 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.
Please note that there will be no Recap for the December 2025 OCM. Thank you for your understanding.
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