Published on Monday, 27 July 2026 at 11:00:00 AM
Below is an update on recent Council activities, community highlights, and matters of local interest from Shire President Vivienne MacCarthy - this information is also featured in the Shire Connect section of the Preston Press, where we keep you informed on the latest Council news
Happy new (financial) year – reflecting on our financial sustainability journey & the 2026-2027 Annual Budget
Over the past two and a half years, Council, the Shire Executive, staff and our community have worked together to address the long-term financial challenges identified through our planning processes. While this has been a challenging journey, we have spoken openly about the difficulties we’ve faced, decisions required, and the importance of strategic planning.
I am pleased to share that these collective efforts have helped re-position the Shire on a solid, neutral financial base – one that balances affordability with the need to maintain and renew community assets, continue delivering essential services, and avoid passing today’s costs on to future generations. This is a significant achievement compared to our position at the start of the 2024-2025 financial year, and I would like to acknowledge everyone who has contributed constructively to this process and avoiding passing today’s costs on to future generations.
This work is also reflected in the adoption of the 2026-2027 Annual Budget last month, which provides a clear roadmap for the year ahead, translating the priorities identified through our Council Plan into practical action. Key investments include:
- Roadworks program: $4.1m, including $1m for Brookhampton Road
- Bridge management: $2.16m, largely supported by State and Federal Government funding
- Buildings & facilities: $3.2m, including $1.6m for the new Argyle/Irishtown Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade fire station, largely supported by State Government funding
- Parks & gardens improvements: $250k
- Bushfire mitigation activities: $129k, fully funded through external sources
- Community connections & culture: $34k for Community Grants and $28k for community events
See the last update from the President here
Waste Services & FOGO Update
As part of this year’s Annual Budget, Council has also endorsed the continuation of the current 3-bin waste collection system throughout the Shire while work continues across the South West to identify a long-term processing solution for Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) material.
The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup was one of the first local governments in Western Australia to adopt FOGO, and our community continues to achieve some of the lowest contamination rates in the region. While regional FOGO processing arrangements remain unavailable, retaining the 3-bin system ensures the community remains well-prepared for future processing opportunities and allows residents to continue separating organic material, recycling and general waste.
The good news is that residents won't need to change anything. The current system will continue, with material placed in the light green FOGO bin collected separately and transported to Dardanup for landfill disposal. Residents will continue to be charged on a cost-recovery basis only.
I encourage you to visit the Shire website to read the full update and learn more about what this means for our community.
See the full announcement here
New Urban Area Speed Zone approved for Irishtown
I am also pleased to share that the Shire's advocacy efforts have delivered an improved road safety outcome for Irishtown, with Main Roads WA supporting a new 60km/h Urban Area Speed Zone across much of the locality. This outcome follows ongoing community feedback, a Council-endorsed consultation process, and continued advocacy on behalf of local road users. The change responds to concerns about increasing traffic and shared road use, particularly around the Irishtown Road Bridge.
Road safety and transport infrastructure remain among our community's highest priorities, making this a positive outcome for everyone who lives, works and travels through the area. Implementation of the new speed zoning and associated signage is now underway – a full announcement with a list of the affected roads, along with a map, is available on the Shire website.
See the full announcement here
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