Here's a summary of recent updates and plans from the council meeting, focusing on new facilities and improvements to enhance our community spaces and lifestyle in Dawesville and surrounding areas.

Community and Social Spaces

There is growing community interest in creating more social and communal spaces, such as youth centres, senior centres, and art spaces catering to diverse activities and age groups. The soon-to-be-completed Dawesville Community Centre, set to open in Sept 2025, will add valued social spaces for residents in southern suburbs.

However, after reviewing the existing number of private swimming pools and recreational facilities in the area, the council concluded that there is no immediate need for a new public swimming pool at this time.

Enhancing Green and Public Spaces

With expected population growth and higher-density suburbs, protecting and improving green and public spaces is a key priority. Mandurah’s 2023–2033 Environment Strategy outlines plans to enhance and maintain existing green areas while also creating new ones. This includes ensuring easy access to these spaces for residents, fostering a more connected and sustainable community.

Dawesville and Southern District Priority Projects

Key projects in the Dawesville area aim to refine and optimise community and recreational infrastructure:

• Port Bouvard Recreation and Southern Estuary Hall Site: A master plan will be developed to determine the long-term future of these sites, including planning for new infrastructure, parking, and accessibility.
• Dawesville Community Centre: Construction is completing, with the centre set to be operational by Sept-2025. Efforts will focus on its effective use and partnerships with community groups and organisations.
• Dawesville High School and Shared Sporting Oval: Plans are set to ensure a shared-use senior sporting oval is included in the development of a future high school in the area.
• Dawesville Youth Park: The council will investigate potential sites for a neighbourhood-level youth space, ensuring it is centrally located, accessible, and well-integrated into the community.

The council recognises the demand for more skate and BMX facilities. Plans are being developed for new amenities in Dawesville, with small-scale facilities being considered within local parks and reserves to meet community needs.

While some previously planned projects, such as facilities at Caddadup Reserve, will not be progressed, the focus has shifted to higher-priority initiatives. It will be deferred for the foreseeable future, enabling resources to be reallocated to more immediate needs.

Focus on Population Growth

Significant growth is expected in Dawesville, Bouvard, Herron, and Clifton, with the population projected to increase by 5,000 between 2021 and 2036. With this growth, the council is prioritising shared-use facilities and community centres to ensure all residents have access to essential services and recreational opportunities. Rural areas will also see efforts to improve the relevance and efficiency of existing infrastructure.