Rylington Park
The Rylington Park Institute for Agricultural Training and Research (Rylington Park) is located 27km from Boyup Brook town site on the Boyup Brook – Cranbrook Road in Mayanup.
The 650 hectare property was gifted to the Shire of Boyup Brook in 1985 by the late Mr Eric Farleigh for Research and Training in Agriculture and the betterment of Boyup Brook.
Please click HERE to read a statement from the Farleigh family.
Supporting youth in the district who are considering a future in agriculture, Rylington Park provides financial support by granting scholarships to students attending Agriculture Schools in Year 11 and 12. For information about the Rylington Park Scholarship, click HERE.
Rylington Park has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Edith Cowan University (ECU). Signed on 29th October 2021, the MOU established an agreement for ECU to utilise Rylington Park for agriculture and regional development related research and allied education programs. The MOU endorses a high level, strategic relationship with ECU, which has potential to expand research and training opportunities for Rylington Park. It is intended that results of any research will be shared with farmers in Boyup Brook to the betterment of farmers and related businesses in the area. The MOU is a 20 year agreement.
The Charter of The Rylington Park Institute for Agricultural Training and Research was adopted by Council in November 2021 to confirm that the Rylington Park farming property, home of The Rylington Park Institute for Agricultural Training and Research, will be held in trust by the Boyup Brook Shire to benefit the Boyup Brook community and for the use of agricultural training and research.
Securing Rylington Park’s future
Rylington Park is an important community asset with a proud history of supporting agriculture, research, education and community participation.
The property was gifted to the Shire of Boyup Brook by the late Eric Farleigh, whose vision was for Rylington Park to benefit the local community and the agricultural sector more broadly.
The Shire remains committed to protecting that legacy and ensuring Rylington Park continues to deliver value for future generations.
A sustainable operating model
Rylington Park will remain owned by the Shire of Boyup Brook, with Council continuing to provide strategic oversight.
What is changing is the way the commercial farming operation is managed.
The Shire is progressing a commercial lease to an experienced farming operator. This will allow the land to remain productively farmed while reducing the financial and operational risks carried by the Shire and ratepayers.
The revised model will also allow the Shire to focus on Rylington Park’s broader community, research and educational purpose.
Continuing to benefit our community
The revised model will support:
• community cropping opportunities
• agricultural research and industry partnerships
• education and training activities
• continuation of the Rylington Park Scholarship
• more effective use of existing Shire housing
• reinvestment of lease income into community initiatives.
The Shire is also progressing a community cropping arrangement that will provide an eligible local group with access to land, with funds raised able to support local facilities, equipment, events and community projects.
Income generated through the commercial lease is intended to be placed in a dedicated Rylington Park Community Reserve and reinvested for the benefit of the Boyup Brook community.
Frequently asked questions
Will Rylington Park remain owned by the Shire?
Yes. Rylington Park will remain owned by the Shire of Boyup Brook, with Council continuing to provide strategic oversight.
Why is the operating model changing?
Commercial farming carries financial and operational risks, including seasonal conditions, commodity price fluctuations, labour availability, machinery replacement and rising operating costs. Leasing the commercial farming operation to an experienced operator will allow the land to remain productive while reducing the risks carried by the Shire and ratepayers.
Is the purpose of Rylington Park changing?
No. Agricultural research, education, training and community benefit will remain central to Rylington Park’s future.
What will happen to lease income?
The proposed model is for lease income to be placed in a dedicated Rylington Park Community Reserve. The intention is for these funds to support projects and initiatives that benefit the Boyup Brook community and uphold the purpose of Rylington Park.
Will research, education and the scholarship continue?
Yes. The Shire will continue to pursue research, education and training opportunities, and the Rylington Park Scholarship will continue. The accommodation facilities, training room and commercial kitchen will also be retained for appropriate future use.
What is community cropping?
Community cropping will provide an eligible local community group with access to land at Rylington Park. Funds raised through cropping may then be directed towards local facilities, equipment, events or other community priorities.
Further information will be provided once the arrangements are finalised.
Why is the CEO living at Rylington Park?
The CEO agreed to relocate to the existing residence at Rylington Park so the Shire-provided residence in town could be made available to an essential worker.
The Rylington Park residence had initially been considered for the essential worker but was not suitable because of its location outside the townsite. The arrangement made effective use of the Shire’s existing housing and did not require the purchase, construction or lease of an additional property.
Council acknowledges and appreciates the CEO’s flexibility and willingness to accommodate the move.
What happens next?
The Shire is finalising the commercial lease and tender process, along with arrangements for community cropping. Further updates will be provided as these processes progress.
For further information, contact the Shire of Boyup Brook on (Phone) or (email).
For further information, contact the Shire of Boyup Brook on 9765 1200 or email [email protected]