Published on Thursday, 19 March 2026 at 2:24:12 PM
We’re planning for the future and have prepared a Draft Council Plan 2026 – 2036 to guide our local planning over the next 10 years and beyond.
This plan integrates our Strategic Community Plan, Corporate Business Plan and Public Health Plan. It addresses statutory requirements, follows the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework and Guidelines, and adopts the FUTYR® approach for preparing a Council Plan.
The draft plan has now been approved for public advertising at the Ordinary Council Meeting held 26 February 2026 (resolution 05/26) and we are again seeking community feedback from Friday 20 March to Friday 10 April 2026.
Why are we preparing a new Council Plan?
Shire of Derby West/Kimberley is committed to strengthening the organisation through stability, capability and pride to deliver for our community now and future generations.
The Local Government Act 1995 (Section 5.56) and the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996 require local governments to plan for the future through the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework. This framework ensures local governments prepare a Strategic Community Plan that reflects the community’s vision and aspirations, and a Corporate Business Plan that outlines priorities to achieve those goals.
The current Strategic Community Plan 2021 – 2031 has undergone major review in line with the new framework and has been integrated with the Corporate Business Plan and Public Health Plan to form the Draft Council Plan 2026 – 2036.
The inaugural Council Plan will become the Shire’s core planning document, providing future direction over the next ten years.
Progress to date
Shire of Derby/West Kimberley collaborated with community members and local businesses to shape this plan through a series of meetings, surveys and workshops. There was a focus on understanding:
- Where are we now?
- Where do we want to be?
- How do we get there?
Having reviewed the draft plan, Council approved public advertisement at the Ordinary Council Meeting held 26 February 2026 to seek further community feedback before a final plan is prepared for adoption.
Overview of the steps so far:
- Catalyse Community Scorecard was distributed to residents in 2025, both online and in post boxes. 150 responses were received.
- A workshop was held with Council and Executive Staff on 27 October 2025.
- Community workshops held in Derby and Fitzroy Crossing 28, 29 and 31 October 2025, attended by approximately 50 people.
- On 26 February 2026, Council approved for the Draft Council Plan 2026 – 2036 for public advertisement.
- Formal advertising of the draft Council Plan 2026 – 2036 has commenced. Written submissions can be made between Friday 20 March to 5:00pm 17 April 2026.
Share your thoughts
We invite you to provide your feedback on this draft via the following options:
Submissions are open from Friday 20 March 2026 and close at 5:00pm on Friday 17 April 2026.
Draft Council Plan 2026 – 2036 document for download:
www.sdwk.wa.gov.au/documents/491/draft-council-plan-2026-3036
What happens next?
The stages of producing our Council Plan:
- Initial research – complete
- MARKYT Community Scorecard survey – complete
- Preparation of findings and Draft Council Plan – complete
- Council approval to advertise – complete
- Public advertising – now underway
- Review and apply any necessary amendments to final Council Plan
- Council endorsement
After the submissions period closes, the Shire will review and consider submissions from the community and public authorities, which may result in modifications to the Draft Local Planning Strategy.
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