Published on Friday, 24 October 2025 at 3:00:00 PM

Below is the Shire President’s Recap of the Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) that was held on Wednesday 22 October 2025.

Messages & Announcements from the Shire President

Item 9.1.1: Development Application P25029 – Cherry Stall at Lot 1 (18190) SW Hwy, Donnybrook

At item 9.1.1, Council considered Development Application P25029 which requested approval for the relocation of the existing cherry stall from Lot 873 to Lot 1 (18190) South Western Highway, Donnybrook, with vehicle access proposed via Bendall Road, rather than directly from the South Western Highway. This is known locally as the Licciardello’s Cherry Stall located on the side of the highway as you enter Donnybrook from Bunbury, north of the townsite.

The application outlines that the relocation is intended to enhance customer safety by avoiding direct access from the highway and reducing potential traffic conflicts. The proposal also includes the installation of advertising signage to support the visibility and operation of the relocated stall, and establishment of a coffee/food van. Council resolved to approve the Development Application subject to terms and conditions that address various compliance requirements, concerns, and above all else, prioritise community safety.

Item 9.1.2: Temporary Accommodation Request – Macrozamia Retreat, Donnybrook

At item 9.1.2, Council received a Temporary Accommodation Request for a property on Macrozamia Retreat in Donnybrook. This submission follows concerns raised regarding the owners residing on the property in a transportable structure, which has been established while they work towards building their permanent dwelling at the same location. While the landowner has yet to formally engage a builder they are in the process of determining their final house plan, and given the current housing crisis, Council resolved to approve this request (subject to terms and conditions) en-bloc.

Item 9.1.3: Brookhampton Road Regional Road Safety Program Funding

In May of 2025 an application was submitted for funding under Main Roads WA’s (MRWA) Regional Road Safety Program (RRSP) for the upgrading of a section of Brookhampton Road between the South West Highway and the intersection with Sandhills Road. The Shire received confirmation that this application was successful in August 2025 – under this funding, the Shire will receive $932,900, to be recouped in three claims of 40%, 40% and 20%.

While physical works are to commence in the 2026-2027 period, preliminary works such as surveying and design will be undertaken during this financial year. $40,000 of the first payment is allocated for these activities, which is payable upon execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MRWA occurring in this financial year.

The 2025-2026 annual budget therefore requires an amendment to accept the first payment as well as the expenditure allocated for these preliminary activities, which Council approved at item 9.1.3 of this OCM. The balance will be carried forward and the remainder of the RRSP funding will be included in the draft 2026-2027 annual budget along with Council’s contribution of $104,000.

Item 9.1.4: Shire Response to Southwest Regional Road Group (SWRRG) Elected Members Meeting Motion

At item 9.1.4, Council endorsed a letter containing the Shire’s response to the Southwest Regional Road Group (SWRRG) Elected Members Meeting resolution regarding bridges located on Roads of Regional Significance under Local Government management. The motion below was put forward by the SWRRG Elected Members at its meeting in July 2025:

That Member Councils each compile a report on major bridges on Roads of Regional Significance as outlined in ROADS 2040, within their LGA. This list is to be presented to the SWRRG Technical Committee at their November 2025 meeting for collation and decision for the ownership / responsibility / maintenance of these bridges to be passed to MRWA. This collated list will be presented to Elected Members at the November meeting, then a letter to the Minister for Transport will be prepared highlighting the current and expected level of bridge maintenance within the South West Region.

This motion would impact 13 bridges within our Shire, and Council believes that the proposed transfer of ownership or responsibility for these bridges to Main Roads WA (MRWA) is not a realistic scenario, given that the bridges exist on Local Government controlled roads. The letter outlines the Shire’s response and discusses an alternative process that appropriately considers the challenges that the change in delivery of bridge works will present to Local Governments, and provides them with the ability to work collaboratively with other Local Governments to package similar works resulting in cost and efficiency benefits for all.

This letter will be presented to the SWRRG for consideration at the November 2025 meeting – a copy of the full draft is available in the attachments of this OCM item.

Item 9.2.3: Shire Committees & Councillor Group Membership

At item 9.2.3, Council resolved to appoint the following Elected Members to represent the Shire in the corresponding committees and reference groups.

More about Committees & Reference Groups

Thank you for reading this Recap of key items from the October 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 within the Minutes of this Meeting.

See more about Council Meetings

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