Stay Connected with the Shire

Staying informed isn’t passive anymore – it’s a partnership. We’ll keep sharing, but you need to choose how to stay connected.

This is your guide to staying informed, involved, and up‑to‑date with the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup.

Why Staying Connected Matters

We often hear things like:

  • “Why didn’t you tell me?”
  • “I didn’t know about that – the Shire should be communicating better!”
  • “I was interested in that but never heard about it until afterwards, and now it’s too late!”

We understand how important it is to be informed, especially when decisions or updates affect your home, community, or daily life.

That’s why we share information openly, frequently, and across a wide range of channels. But with more than 6,000 residents, and communication habits changing all the time, staying informed works best when we do it together.

Staying up to date with Shire news, decisions, projects and community information is easier than ever. We publish information openly and frequently across a range of channels so you can choose the method that works best for you. Here are all the ways you can stay connected to the news, events, decisions, and opportunities that matter to you.

Shire Website – your primary source of information

This is your source of truth. Information is updated regularly and organised by topic:

  • Services: Building, Planning, Health, Waste, Works & Services, Environmental, Fire & Emergency Management
  • Community: Resident information, events, engagement opportunities, programs and projects
  • Explore: Visiting the region, local attractions, transit parks
  • Council: Elected members, meetings, agendas, minutes, policies, careers
  • Contact Us: Contact details for all Shire facilities, online enquiries, and who you can contact for essential services the Shire may not provide or manage

Social Media – fast, frequent updates

We share regular updates on Facebook and Instagram. These channels are ideal for reminders, quick notices, disruptions, events, and opportunities to have your say. Hit follow on our pages:

Council Meetings – where decisions are made

If you want to stay across Council decisions, our Ordinary Council Meetings (OCMs) are livestreamed through our YouTube channel, which you can watch in real-time or later when it suits you. These meetings are supported by agendas, attachments and minutes that are published on the Shire website. This ensures transparent and accessible decision‑making for all residents – the President also shares OCM Recaps which you can find on our website and Facebook, or through the Shire E-Connect.

Shire E-Connect – subscribe for email updates

Prefer updates sent directly to you? Our digital newsletter, the Shire E‑Connect, provides community notices, project updates, reminders, and other important local information directly to your inbox. It only takes a few seconds to subscribe.

Subscribe to the Shire E-Connect

Printed Options – Preston Press, noticeboards, and more

If you prefer printed information, you’ll find updates from us in the Shire Connect section of the Preston Press, which includes messages from the Shire President. You can also keep an eye out for:

  • Flyers on your local noticeboards
  • Posters at the Shire's community facilities
  • Information packages sent to new residents
  • Key documents and notices accompanying annual rates notices, such as the latest Fire Prevention Order
  • Letters in the mail for with notices or updates about projects near you