An agreement between the McGowan Government and the Shire of Dardanup has granted land for future expansion of Eaton Fair and development of a new civic building and library.
At just over 1.6 hectares, the surplus land reserve sits to the north-east of Eaton Fair Shopping Centre and is to be gifted to the Shire, enabling its sale to the developer with revenues to be reinvested in new civic, community and youth facilities.
The land transfer will not only contribute towards the delivery of significant community infrastructure, but it will create regional jobs, deliver new apartments around the town square and assist in the broader activation of the area as identified under the Eaton Fair Activity Centre Plan.
Future development plans include new Shire offices, community spaces and modern library facilities which will incorporate amenities for youth and a 'makerspace' - a shared public space for collaboration, informal learning and creative projects.
The facilities will be housed in a purpose-built, three-storey building which will also accommodate commercial retail and office space.
The overall project is expected to create approximately 100 jobs in the construction phase, and sustain more than 500 jobs in local business after completion.
As stated by Lands Minister Ben Wyatt:
"The rapid expansion being experienced across our South-West region is driving demand for innovative land use planning and development outcomes that will meet the future needs of a growing population.
"The transfer of this underutilised parcel of Crown land is a successful example of giving local government leverage to invest in social as well as financial capital, creating community assets such as library services and shared collaborative spaces."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
"This land transfer will deliver a great outcome for the residents of Eaton and the broader South-West region.
"It provides an opportunity for the Shire of Dardanup to deliver modern community facilities, support the growth of Eaton, provide benefits for local residents and attract investment.
"I congratulate the Shire for their work to collaborate with the State Government and identify innovative solutions to attract investment into the area, provide new local employment and business opportunities and deliver contemporary community facilities."
