Shire of Donnybrook–Balingup facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shire of Donnybrook Balingup Western Australia
Location in Western Australia
Established	1970
Area	1,560.3 km2 (602.4 sq mi)
Shire President	Vivienne MacCarthy
Council seat	Donnybrook
Region	South West
State electorate(s)	Collie-Preston Warren-Blackwood
Federal Division(s)	Forrest
Website	Shire of Donnybrook Balingup
LGAs around Shire of Donnybrook Balingup: Dardanup Collie Collie Capel, Busselton Shire of Donnybrook Balingup Boyup Brook Nannup Bridgetown Greenbushes Boyup Brook

The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup is a special area in Western Australia. It's like a local government region, meaning it has its own council that helps manage the towns and communities within it. This Shire is located in the South West part of the state.

It's about 35 kilometers (22 miles) southeast of Bunbury. It's also about 220 kilometers (137 miles) south of Perth, which is the capital city of Western Australia. The Shire covers a large area, about 1,560 square kilometers (602 square miles). The main town and where the local government offices are located is Donnybrook.

History of the Shire

The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup was created on March 26, 1970. This happened when two smaller local areas, the Shire of Donnybrook and the Shire of Balingup, joined together. At first, the new combined area kept the name Donnybrook. But soon after, on July 17, 1970, it officially became known as Donnybrook-Balingup. The local council for this new Shire has always been based in Donnybrook.

Historic Places to Visit

The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup is home to many old and important buildings. These places are called heritage-listed because they have a special history. Two examples are Ferndale Homestead and the Southampton homestead. They are protected so people can learn about the past.

Indigenous People of the Area

The land where the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup is located has a long history. It is the traditional home of the Wardandi people. They are part of the larger Noongar nation, who are the Aboriginal people of the South West of Western Australia.

How the Shire is Governed

The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup is managed by a group of people called councillors. These councillors are elected by the people who live in the Shire. They make decisions about local services and rules.

Council Wards and Representation

Before 2001, the Shire was divided into smaller sections called wards. Each ward had its own councillors representing it. But in 2001, the Shire changed this system. Now, all nine councillors represent the entire Shire. This means they work for everyone living in the Donnybrook Balingup area, not just one small part.

Towns and Localities in the Shire

The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup includes several towns and smaller communities. Here is a list of these places, along with how many people live there and their size, based on the most recent official count:

• (* means the place is only partly inside this Shire)

Images for kids

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  Location of the Shire in Western Australia

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  The official logo of the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup