A very important cultural asset to the Donnybrook community is the heritage listed Donnybrook Railway Heritage Precinct (DRHP). The 1800s Goods Shed was originally used for the loading and distribution of goods from trains on the south west rail line. Since being decommissioned for its original industrial purpose, the Goods Shed has been utilised for a range of functions, however in recent years it has sat idle and has not been maintained.  

In October 2018 the Shire and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) entered into an agreement to revitalise the precinct to create an asset that will provide a range of benefits to the local community and act as a drawcard for visitors.

It has been reported that in 2019, the Shire undertook significant community consultation for the project which included undertaking an online survey that received over 300 responses, holding meetings with relevant community groups, and the formation of a Community Reference Group (CRG). Apparently, the consultation process culminated in Council’s adoption of a ‘Master Plan’ for the precinct that provides high level guidance on the future development and use of the precinct.

The Donnybrook Goods Shed otherwise referred to as the Interpretive Centre has been completed and officially opened on 19 June 2021. 

Funding for the Goods Shed/Interpretive Centre totalled $2,350,000 with $240,000 being a Shire contribution.  Almost $100,000 of the Shire’s contribution was taken from the Fun Park’s coin spinner donations.  Cr Piesse said “the Federal Government allowed us (the Shire) to combine the Interpretive Centre and the Apple Fun Park as being part of the one revitalization concept.” The combination of the whole area has allowed for the Shire to access the Apple Fun Park reserve funds to complete the kitchen component for the Goods Shed/Interpretive Centre.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ben Rose said generating revenue through a tenancy and having someone external to the Shire oversee the Interpretative Centre (the prime focus of the project) was ‘responsible and prudent’. “Resourcing the new facility would be in the order of an additional $100 - $150K per annum,” Mr Rose said.  “In addition, the State requires certainty of the sustainability of ongoing operating models and expenses prior to signing-off grant funding”.

Having decided to turn the Goods Shed into a cafe, the Shire put the premises out to public tender. However, on 30/9/2020 the tender closed with no lessee, local or otherwise, able to be secured.  A successful tenderer would have been required to construct and fit out a kitchen at their own expense. At a later date, the Shire received a proposal from a business, Southern Roasting Company owned by Ian and April Pianta from Manjimup.  The Piantas proposed that the Shire fit out the kitchen for them. The Shire agreed to this and on 25/11/2020, Council voted to spend $240,000 of Shire funds on a commercial kitchen at the site. Apparently, this was conditional on the Piantas reimbursing $120,000 of the cost to the Shire. Once repaid, the vendor will own the kitchen fittings.  The vendor finance arrangement has been reported to be separate and additional to the rent.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 26 May 2021 a resident asked Council what will the net amount of rent collected be per annum?  Shire President, Cr Piesse, responded that “this is a confidential matter and we (the Council) are not in a position to divulge information regarding the proposed contract with the prospective tenants.  Remember we are saving money as the tenant will be looking after the Interpretive Centre component of the Goods Shed.”  The CEO, Ben Rose, further added that “the lease includes a rent component and a separate vendor finance component to reimburse the kitchen fit out – so there will be two separate sources of revenue.”  The CEO, Ben Rose, is claiming that reimbursing funds for the kitchen fit out is revenue?  Is Ben Rose indicating that there will be interest paid in addition to the $120,000?

A further question asked “will the tenant be paying outgoings?”  Ben Rose responded “again this information is confidential, however, based on other commercial leases, it would be unusual if it did not include outgoings, including Shire rates.”

Should a ratepayer or resident of the Donnybrook-Balingup Shire have this information withheld from them?  Should this information be confidential?  Why is this information confidential?  When will this information be released to the public?

Ben Rose as the CEO is aware of the answer for the question regarding outgoings, however he chooses to make a vague response, noting it would be unusual if it did not include outgoings.  He does not state that it will include outgoings.  Why does the CEO choose to respond to this question by firstly stating it is confidential and then stating that it would be unusual if it did not include outgoings?  This can only leave ratepayers and residents questioning the confidential lease agreement in conjunction with the vague wording of Ben Rose’s response.

A further question regarding the confidential lease agreement was made at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 23 June 2021 when another resident asked Council “will the budget show the venue paid funds for rent and repayment of the kitchen works?”  Shire President Cr Piesse responded “details of the lease are confidential, however the arrangement for the $120,000 for the kitchen fit out has been identified publicly.  The lessees have an obligation to repay this.”  When questioned, the Shire President confirmed, once the $120,000 is repaid, the vendor will own the fit-out.

The Goods Shed/Interpretive Centre, now known as Park Donnybrook will soon be open.  It has recently come to light that the lessees are waiting for a Small Bar License application to be approved. Surprisingly, advertising this application was not deemed to be in the public interest. Inquiries by a Shire resident has now resulted in an opportunity for submissions for or against the application. Was Racing, Gaming and Liquor provided with all the details around this proposal? This does leave further questions regarding this Shire initiative, developed using public funds.   Again the questions are asked ...

•  Should public funds be used to set up a private business, which is using the Apple Fun Park as their point of difference? 
• Is it responsible for a Small Bar to be situated so close to a children’s and family facility?
• Many of our children catch busses to and from school every day from directly adjacent to this development. They walk          through and congregate in this area and will now potentially be exposed to alcohol culture and possibly intoxicated                patrons on a daily basis. Is that want we want for our future? 
• Will the proposed small bar allow unaccompanied children to enter the venue and view the Interpretive Centre display           component? 
• Did the community consultation for the project culminating in the ‘Master Plan’ indicate the community wanted the venue  to be a small bar?
• Once finalized, which one would assume has already occurred, when will the details of the lease be released from confidentiality?