Project Update: New Library, Administration & Community Centre

Published on Thursday, 6 July 2023 at 9:55:36 AM

Dardanup Shire Councillors donned hard hats and high vis vests this week for an inspection of progress on the Shire’s new Library, Administration and Community Centre.

Visitors to Eaton Fair in recent weeks will have spotted the two-storey mass timber construction really taking shape with the ground floor timber columns, beams and floor cassettes almost complete.

Over coming days progress by Shire contractor Perkins Builders will see the roof structure and sheeting stage of the construction reached.

Construction start of this landmark project back in January, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Shire of Dardanup and its community. Completion is expected in early 2024.

Dardanup Shire President Mick Bennett said the project would deliver a community hub of the future providing an engine room for collaboration, connection and innovation while showcasing the potential for leading sustainable timber construction.

“It has taken us a great deal of planning to reach this project milestone and we are very excited for the community to see it now taking shape,” Cr Bennett said.

“Even more exciting though will be in a bit over 12 months’ time when for the first time, community members can start accessing these incredible new facilities located right in the heart of Eaton.”

The new building will comprise Library, Council Chambers, Administration Centre, Make-it Space, plus mixed-use community spaces.

A modern two-storey, L-shaped building, it will be clad predominantly in jarrah with charred jarrah timber as accents.

Cr Bennett said the result will be a landmark demonstration building for the Shire as a mass timber structure made with Cross Laminated Timber Columns and beams and timber framing.

Its L-shape will allow for a civic courtyard space, accessible from the Library and Council Chambers.

The library courtyard space will allow for an outdoor play area for children and seating for patrons to read a book or linger and share a coffee with friends from the coffee hub included in the library.