South West Development Commission

Shire of Dardanup

The growth in the Eaton township sees a predominantly urban population now residing in the Shire of Dardanup. Millbridge Estate is Eaton's newest subdivision, with approximately 1,400 lots to be released over the life of the development.

Agriculture, particularly beef, sheep, dairy and viticulture continue to play an important role in the local economy.

One of the largest integrated softwood milling and processing plants in Australia is also located in the Shire of Dardanup. The complex produces sawn pine timber and a range of reconstituted wood-based panels (particle board), including melamine faced panels, structural flooring and wet and dry flooring.

Attractions

Visit the Ferguson Valley website for detailed information on local attractions, events, tours and accommodation options in the shire.

Shire statistics

Shire representatives
Shire President	John Gardiner
Chief Executive Officer	Mark Chester
Towns & communities
Dardanup, Burekup, Eaton, Waterloo, Ferguson, Wellington Mills, Padbury Fields, Copplestone, Paradise, Crooked Brook, Henty, Dardanup West, Millbridge, Picton East
Local industries
Beef cattle, Dairying, Poultry, Sheep, Br ickworks, Timber Processing, Viticulture and Wineries, Tourism, Stockfeeds, Mineral Sands Mining. Light Industry
Population
Estimated resident population, 2011	13,450
Average annual growth rate, 2006-2011	4.2%
Demographic averages (a)
Median age	35
Median monthly home mortgage repayment	$1,192
Median weekly household rent	$200
Median weekly household income	$1,125
Mean houshold occupancy rate	2.8 people
Building approvals 2010-11
Total value of building approvals	$36,857,000
Residential approvals	$33,040,000
Non-residential approvals	$3,817,000
Number of residential building approvals	136
Labour market (b)
Labour force employed	7,043
Unemployed	189
Unemployment rate	2.7%
Average income 2008-09
Average personal taxable income per annum	$58,513
Property values (c)
Average sale value of dwellings, 2008	$356,305
Minimum price of sold properties	$228,000
Maximum price of sold properties	$746,000
Subdivisions
Residential lots approved for development, 2010	60
Agriculture
Total agricultural land holdings, 2005-06	21,935 hectares
Number of farms, 2005-06	166
Value of agricultural production, 2005-06	$16,851,890

Sources
(a) Australian Bureau of Statistics.
(b) Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Small Area Labour Markets - Australia.
(c) Valuer General's Office, Residential Sales Data 2009.