Banjup Residents Group
Representing rural residents in the Banjup area
Our safe, green haven of peace and tranquillity
Who We Are
Established in 2011, the Group has a membership of more than a third of all households in rural Banjup, Jandakot, and Treeby. Typically, upwards of 70 members attend general meetings to voice their concerns.
The Group exists to facilitate improvements in the security, safety, and amenity of the residents of rural Banjup, Jandakot, and Treeby.
The Group achieves its objects by:
Making representations to government, corporations, and persons to deliver improvements to the security, safety, and amenity of Banjup, Jandakot, and Treeby rural residents
Contributing funds and resources for the improvement of amenities in the rural areas of Banjup, Jandakot, and Treeby
Encouraging good neighbourly contacts between Banjup, Jandakot, and Treeby rural residents
On this web site you can find out more about our current and past initiatives and to make your views known. The Group welcomes everyone's view and will strive to accommodate them in our representations to government and corporations.
What We Do
The Banjup Residents Group strives to preserve and improve our rural areas as safe, green havens of peace and tranquility for our local community
Advocating for a Fair Deal for Our Rates
The BRG makes vigorous representations to the City of Cockburn to get a fair deal for our rates. For example, we have:
Convinced Cockburn not to reduce the "GRV concession" as the officers proposed for the 2022-23 rates. This saved an average rural ratepayer about $60 each year and up to $300 for larger properties.
Convinced Cockburn to review their 2015/16 rates and acknowledge that their 3.5% promised rise was actually double that. Cockburn eventually agreed and refunded $1.6 million in over-collections to all Cockburn ratepayers, with Banjup and Jandakot ratepayers averaging $113 each (this refund is now applied every year to all rate notices)
Showed Cockburn Council that Banjup and Jandakot's 2011 rate notices were in error, causing them to be re-issued with a rates reduction of ~$250 per property
Convinced Cockburn council to allocate over $300,000 for the construction of footpaths in Banjup
Advocating for Planning Fairness
For 10 years we pressed the WA Planning Commission to rezone rural properties north of Armadale Road whose rural amenity is now all but lost. We are pleased that the Planning Minister announced in August 2023 that the area would become "urban" zoned under the Metropolitan Region Scheme.
We monitor planning applications to ensure that they are consistent with the character of our rural localities.
Promoting Fire Safety
Our residents are acutely aware of the dangers of bush fire, having experienced the extreme Banjup fire of 3 February 2014.
The BRG liaises closely with the Jandakot Volunteer Bushfire Brigade to promote fire safety across our rural localities.
In 2022, the BRG successfully lobbied the Minister for Water to retain the 3 day bore roster for properties in bush fire prone areas with no scheme water, which includes Banjup, Jandakot, and Treeby. This will enable residents to keep vegetation green in their Asset Protection Zones.
Promoting Road Safety
The BRG continually presses government to deter traffic, especially large trucks, from rat running through our streets.
The BRG campaigns to increase Police presence on our roads to reduce speeds and deter hooning.
Committee 2026
Elected at AGM 29 March 2026
President
Joan Weston
Vice President
Andrew Riches
Treasurer
Lisa Webber
Secretary
Corinne Franklin
Committee
Members
Tania Parkes
Lim Hwangbo
Kent Caputo
Justin Shute
Tribute to Ian Thurston
At the AGM on 29 March 2026, founding President and long-term BRG Committee member, retired from the Committee after 15 years' service.
At that AGM, out-going President Corinne Franklin paid tribute to Ian's contribution to Banjup. This is what she said:
At this Annual General Meeting, I would like to take a few moments to acknowledge and sincerely thank someone whose contribution to Banjup—and to the Banjup Residents Group—has been truly foundational and enduring. That person is Ian.
To understand Ian’s impact, we need to go back to the very beginning.
The Banjup Residents Group was founded in early 2011, in response to a situation that caused genuine concern within our community. At that time, a house in Banjup was purchased by the Child Protection agency. Residents felt anxious, unsettled by the lack of consultation, and unsure what this meant for a small, quiet, rural community like ours.
There were questions. There were fears. But there was no organised way for residents to come together—to be informed, to engage constructively, or to speak with a unified voice.
Ian recognised that gap.
He understood that communities are strongest when concern is channelled calmly, respectfully, and collectively. Rather than forming a protest group, Ian brought residents together to establish an incorporated community organisation—one that could engage responsibly with government agencies, champion safety and amenity, and help shape Banjup’s future.
On 6 February 2011, more than 80 residents gathered in the Banjup Hall. The Banjup Residents Group was born. Ian was elected our first President, and Coco our first Treasurer.
Under Ian’s stewardship, BRG demonstrated that community concern does not need to lead to division. Through engagement, dialogue, and persistence, the Child Protection home was successfully integrated into the Banjup community.
Ian’s leadership was also critical in one of the most important areas for rural Banjup—fire safety. When proposals emerged that threatened the future of our local fire brigade, BRG led a strong, evidence-based campaign to retain it. Because of that effort, Banjup retained its fire service, strengthening the safety of our community.
Since BRG’s formation, there have been 29 general meetings and 100 committee meetings, all of which Ian attended. BRG has made 43 submissions to government and 24 deputations to Council, with Ian instrumental in preparing and delivering each one.
His advocacy helped secure better outcomes for Banjup across fire safety, planning, rates, road safety, Beenyup footpath- North section, hooning, traffic, and the protection of rural amenity. Under his leadership, BRG matured into a respected, independent organisation with transparent governance and a strong public voice.
Outside this room, Ian became one of the most articulate and effective advocates for Banjup, warning—based on evidence—that poor planning could see our suburb changed beyond recognition within a generation.
What matters most is how Ian served: with integrity, countless unpaid hours, and an unwavering belief that communities deserve a genuine say in their future.
Ian, your service to this community has been exceptional. The standards you have set—for diligence, independence, and stewardship—will guide the Banjup Residents Group long after your retirement from active service.
On behalf of the committee and the wider Banjup community, thank you.
Rules and Protocols
The Banjup Residents Group (Inc) is an Association incorporated in Western Australia. The rules are available below for download.
In May 2016, the Committee adopted a set of Civility and Communications Protocols that describe how the Committee wishes to liaise within itself, with Group members, and with the wider community. The Protocols also set out how residents of Banjup and Jandakot might wish to liaise with one another. The Protocols were adopted by unanimous vote of members at the March 2017 AGM.
All general and committee meetings are conducted in accordance with the BRG Rules and the Civility Protocols.
Further, the BRG Facebook page is administered in accordance with the Civility Protocols.
The Rules and Protocols may be downloaded as below.