South West Development Commission

Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup

Local industries in the shire include sandstone quarrying and a strong agricultural sector, notably apple and stone fruit orchards in and around the township of Donnybrook.

Its central location to the adjacent areas of Bunbury, Capel, Collie and Greenbushes makes the shire an attractive lifestyle option.

Tourism is also rapidly becoming an important industry, with many local attractions including the scenic areas of the Blackwood River Valley, State forests and the Glen Mervyn Dam.

Owing to the generousity of an anonymous community benefactor Donnybrook now also boasts having the 'Biggest Free Entry Fun Park' in Australia, a major drawcard for family outings.

Attractions

Visit the Donnybrook Visitor Centre website for detailed information on local attractions, events, tours and accommodation options.

Shire statistics

Shire representatives
Shire President	Steve Dilley
Chief Executive Officer	John Attwood
Towns & communities
Argyle, Brookhampton, Balingup, Donnybrook, Lowden, Mumballup, Mullalyup, Kirup, Noggerup, Newlands
Local industries
Sandstone Quarry, Fruit Orchards, Vegetables, Sheep, Viticulture, Tourism, Dairying, Beef Cattle
Population
Estimated resident population, 2011	5,582
Average annual growth rate, 2006-2011	2.3%
Demographic averages (a)
Median age	41
Median monthly home mortgage repayment	$1,051
Median weekly household rent	$128
Median weekly household income	$883
Mean houshold occupancy rate	2.5 people
Building approvals 2010-11
Total value of building approvals	$21,169,000
Residential approvals	$14,647,000
Non-residential approvals	$6,522,000
Number of residential building approvals	58
Labour market (b)
Labour force employed	3,219
Unemployed	102
Unemployment rate	3.2%
Average income 2008-09
Average personal taxable income per annum	$52,025
Property values (c)
Average sale value of dwellings, 2008	$354,737
Minimum price of sold properties	$210,000
Maximum price of sold properties	$590,000
Subdivisions
Residential lots approved for development, 2010	11
Agriculture
Total agricultural land holdings, 2005-06	42,936 hectares
Number of farms, 2005-06	354
Value of agricultural production, 2005-06	$41,576,680

Sources
(a) Australian Bureau of Statistics.
(b) Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Small Area Labour Markets - Australia.
(c) Valuer General's Office, Residential Sales Data 2009.