Dardanup Shire’s new library, administration and community centre taking shape as councillors make site visit

Construction of the Shire of Dardanup’s new home is starting to take shape with councillors given the opportunity to see the work in progress up close this week. Dardanup Shire councillors donned hard hats and high-vis vests to visit the site for a progress inspection on Wednesday. Since construction began in January, the new Library, Administration & Community Centre has begun taking shape with the ground floor timber columns, beams and floor cassettes almost complete. The next stage of construction will include sheeting and building the roof structure. Dardanup Shire president Mick Bennett said once completed, the project will provide a community hub of the future, presenting opportunities 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,” he 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 two-storey, L-shaped building will comprise the Shire’s council chambers and administration centre, along with the library, a Make-It Space and other mixed-use community spaces. It will be clad predominantly in jarrah with charred jarrah timber as accents. Cr Bennett said the final result would be a landmark demonstration building for the Shire as a mass timber structure made with cross laminated timber columns, beams and timber framing. The building’s L-shape will also allow for a civic courtyard space that will be accessible from the library and council chambers, providing an outdoor play area for children and seating for patrons to read a book or share a coffee with friends from the coffee hub set to be included in the library.