City of Mandurah endorses a concept plan for a community centre at Dawesville

THE City of Mandurah endorsed a concept plan for a community centre in Dawesville at its meeting last night.

Council officers will now pursue funding opportunities for the estimated $4.6 million centre that will include a combination of State, Federal and local government funding mixes.

The centre would be built on a 0.2ha site on Dandaragan Drive, Florida, adjacent to a proposed retail development centre, on land owned by Coles.

The City identified the need for a community centre in Dawesville to service the expanding southern corridor in its 10-year capital plan and as a priority project in its social infrastructure plan.

In December, the City engaged consultants to prepare a concept plan.

A report to the council said the centre remained a high priority with the district’s population expected to double in size from 7500 in 2016 to 15,000 in 2036.

A future centre would be accessible to all ages and abilities with demographics indicating a mix of people, including a mostly older population in established areas and mostly young families with children aged up to 14 in new subdivisions..

The concept plan included a hall for hire, multi-use spaces, kitchen and toilets and outdoor areas including a courtyard and garden that would be easily accessible via cycle paths or a 20-minute ride for residents in the catchment area.

During a broad consultation period, residents said they wanted a centre that served many difference local people and activities and a space that catered for meetings, talks, social activities, education and training classes, youth and seniors activities, playgroups, community health, arts and crafts and special events.