Ex-Capel shire president Michael Southwell launches petition to have Dalyellup and Gelorup moved into Bunbury

A former Capel shire president has called for many of its residents to be moved to a neighbouring council following a double-digit rate rise with a new petition aiming for change. But the council has hit back, claiming it would result in up to 40 per cent higher rates for the communities impacted. Michael Southwell, who led the shire from 2019 to 2021, has called on Dalyellup and Gelorup to be shifted into the City of Bunbury local government area — in part due to the 15.5 per cent increase set to hit Capel households as part of this year’s budget. Mr Southwell, who has a rocky past with the council and ran for Bunbury mayor in 2021, said the move made sense for geographic and economic reasons. “It is already a fact that residents in these areas see themselves as citizens of Bunbury, with most of them going there on a daily basis to work, shop or for services and entertainment,” he said. “The only interaction most of us have with Capel is once a year paying rates to them, so if they are going to treat us with such disrespect as to this year whack us with a 15.5 per cent increase, just to feather the shire’s nest, it’s time we left. “It is unfair for Bunbury to be providing services, sporting facilities, improvements and upkeep which benefit residents from Dalyellup and Gelorup who don’t contribute.” Mr Southwell previously suggested the move in 2021 as part of his ultimately unsuccessful bid to become Bunbury mayor, arguing it would secure growth in the city. He argued during his tenure as Capel shire president, he had convinced fellow councillors to not increase rates and focus on cost savings, which he claimed did not result in the reduction of services. Capel shire president Doug Kitchen said both communities were integral parts of the council, with five of its nine councillors hailing from the two areas. He claimed residential and rural residential ratepayers would see a 30 per cent and 40 per cent increase in their rates respectively if the areas moved to the City of Bunbury, because its northern neighbour charges more per rateable dollar. “In the past two financial years, the local government has delivered or tendered for $16.25 million in major projects in the two localities, in line with community consultation,” Cr Kitchen said. “The shire continues to invest in community groups and initiatives across the district, with a particular focus on youth in Dalyellup.” Mr Southwell has launched a petition for the proposed boundary change, which he plans to present to Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley.