Dardanup Shire Council endorses majority design for new administration, community and library building

The Shire of Dardanup council’s new home is another step closer to fruition with councillors endorsing a majority design concept for the new building that will be located northeast of Eaton Fair Shopping Centre. The council recently endorsed an 80 per cent design submission created by local building firm Perkins Builders and Perth-based Peter Hobbs Architects and Advanced Timber Studios for the new library, administration and community building. The Shire of Dardanup Community Hub, which will comprise council chambers, administration centre, library, makers space and mixed-use community spaces, will be a two-storey, L-shaped building clad predominantly in stringy bark with charred jarrah timber accents. The multimillion-dollar building will be made with laminated veneer lumber columns and beams, timber floor cassettes and light timber framing. One leg of the building will front the proposed town square, while the ‘L’ creates a formal civic courtyard space accessible to the library and council chambers. The ground floor will accommodate the council front reception, council chambers, library and makers space, while the first floor will accommodate the council administration offices. The gross maximum price for the building is set to be received by the Shire in May with designs expected to be completed by July and construction scheduled to begin during spring. It is expected the building will cost about $16 million. Dardanup shire president Mick Bennett said the chance to share the design of the new facility with the community in more detail was an exciting step. “Our new building will provide a fantastic focal point in the centre of Eaton and become a truly unique social asset,” he said. “It will be a vibrant gathering place for community members and a catalyst for economic growth by creating new jobs and attracting business investment.”