Serpentine

Serpentine is a suburb in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale situated 55 kilometres southeast of Perth and 7 kilometres south of Mundijong.

Located on the South Western Railway between Perth and Bunbury, Serpentine was one of the original stations when the line opened in 1893. The town's population was 128 in 1898. 

In 1891, the government opened land in the area by declaring the Serpentine Agricultural Area. By December 1893, there was sufficient demand for town lots, leading to the gazettal of the Townsite of Serpentine. The townsite takes its name from the nearby Serpentine River, which is descriptively named for its winding, "serpentine" nature observed in its lower reaches when it was discovered and named in the early 1830s.

It is a remarkable rural village with premier equine and polocrosse facilities that attract a range of events and visitors throughout the year. 

Jarrahdale

Jarrahdale is a small historic suburb in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, located 45 km southeast of Perth, Western Australia, in the Darling Range. The town's name is derived from its location in a jarrah forest. Established in the late 1800s as the state's first major timber milling operation, Jarrahdale played a crucial role in the development of Western Australia through the global exportation of jarrah timber. 

Since 2001, the historic precinct has been managed by the National Trust of Western Australia, alongside private residential and tourism-oriented developments.

Find out more about our plans for a future Jarrahdale Trails Centre.

Byford

The original name of Byford was "Beenup."

"Beenup" is the Aboriginal name associated with nearby Beenyup Brook and was the spelling initially used for a railway siding in the area.

The actual name "Bienyup," was mentioned in surveyor Robert Austin's account of an expedition through the area in 1848. On April 23, 1920, the township's name was changed to Byford. The name Byford was chosen through a ballot that included other options such as Beenup, Beenyup, Glengeorge, and Winterbourne.

From November 19 to 22, 2020, the Byford Progress Association held centenary celebrations to commemorate the naming of Byford.

Karrakup

Karrakup is a locality situated southeast of Perth, Western Australia, within the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. The name "Karrakup" is derived from the Noongar word for the red-tailed black cockatoo and was officially adopted as a suburb name in 1997.

The locality extends east from the town of Byford, encompassing the Ridge Hill Shelf and rising over the Darling Scarp. It is bounded by Albany Highway to the east (adjacent to Jarrahglen), South Western Highway to the west, and Jarrahdale Road to the south. Karrakup is in proximity to the historic areas of Cardup and Whitby.

Darling Downs

Darling Downs is an outer south-eastern suburb of Perth within the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. The name, referring to the suburb's proximity to the Darling Scarp, was first used as an estate name in 1977, and adopted as a suburb name in 1997.

Cardup

In 1844, surveyor Robert Austin recorded that Cockburn Sound Location 22 was called "Cardoup." The brook adjoining the northern boundary of this location has been referred to variously as Cardoup or Cadup Brook.

In 1851, H. Mead purchased the location and listed his address as Cardup, a spelling that was subsequently adopted for the brook on most later plans and surveys.

By 1927, a railway siding had been constructed nearby and named Cardup after the brook. Although the siding is no longer in use, the area continues to be known as Cardup. The name is of Aboriginal origin and is said to mean "place of the racehorse goanna" (Kurda).

Whitby

Whitby is named after the nearby Whitby Falls, with the name officially approved for the locality in November 1988.

Originally called "Mundajill" by the Noongar people, Whitby Falls was renamed by settler Henry Mead in 1848 after he purchased property in the area to establish the Whitby Falls Estate for farming.

In 1897, the land was acquired by the government of Western Australia and converted into Whitby Falls Hospital, a facility for the treatment of the mentally ill. The hospital operated until 2006, making it the longest-running mental health care institution in Western Australia's history.

Mardella

Mardella is an outer suburb of Perth, Western Australia, situated approximately 41 kilometres (25 miles) south-southeast of the central business district. It lies within the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. 

Despite being part of the Perth metropolitan area, Mardella retains a predominantly rural character, with a significant portion of its residents involved in farming and agricultural activities. It has excellent equine properties and is valued for its range or rural pursuits. 

Oldbury

Oldbury is a suburb located in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, situated west of the South Western Highway. It is in close proximity to the towns of Byford and Mundijong.

Part of the Pinjarra Plain, the district is a productive environment featuring dairy and rural engagements, although consisting of sandy soils and largely felled. The area was part of the Group Settlement Scheme, being established in 1922 as Group 35, along with the drainage scheme that contributed to the Peel Estuary environmental task and the consequent Dawesville Cut.

It enjoys excellent accessibility to Kwinana Freeway and the broader Western Trade Coast. 

Oakford

Oakford is a suburb within the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. The suburb was named in 1982, taking its name from a townsite briefly declared in the area in 1926.

Oakford comprises some of the State's best equine opportunities, with an amazing range of properties, trails and local facilities. The equine community is an essential part of the Shire. 

Hopeland

Hopeland is a suburb in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. 

It was established in 1923 as Group 46 of the Group Settlement Scheme on Peel Estate; the name was in use for some time and it was established as a suburb name on 1 May 1997.

The area comprises a range of unique properties and features, including the State's premier sporting aviation facility. 

Mundijong

Mundijong is an outer suburb of the Western Australian capital city of Perth.

Originally named Jarrahdale Junction, it was at the junction of the Rockingham-Jarrahdale line and the government railway line from Perth to Bunbury, which was built in 1893.

A town grew up around the junction, and a timber depot, which included a large planing mill. The town was first declared as "Manjedal" in 1893 as it was thought to be the Aboriginal name of the area. In 1897 this was found to be incorrect, and the name was changed to Mundijong. It was officially gazetted as a locality on 1 May 1997. 

The Shire's administration building and Civic Centre are based in Mundijong.

As a town, it will be the most important new growth area over the next 30 years. It will experience a growth rate that will see it add 7500 new homes in the next 15 years. The Shire is advocating for the freight rail development to occur, which will help integrate the town's development and provide future options for passenger rail. 

Keysbrook

Keysbrook is an outer southern suburb of Perth, Western Australia in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale along the South Western Highway.

It was first established as a railway siding on the South Western Railway in 1897, and is believed to have been named after Charles Key (1847–1885), who leased land in the area. The townsite was gazetted in 1916, and the locality was established in 1997.

It comprises a range of intensive and extensive agricultural enterprises and is a significant economic contributor through primary production. 

Future Jarrahdale Trails Centre

Lot 814 / 815 Millars Road, Jarrahdale

Shire land in Jarrahdale presents a prime opportunity for a versatile tourism accommodation destination, capitalising on trail tourism and timber milling heritage. Lots 814 and 815 Millars Road, on the outskirts of Jarrahdale, feature historical structures and worker cottages, currently serving as an RV stopover area. With reasonable exposure, dual frontage, heritage assets, proximity to trails, and flexible land use options under Local Planning Scheme TPS 3, the site is poised to meet the growing demand for diverse land uses.

Features & Landmarks

• Serpentine Dam: Located near Jarrahdale, Serpentine Dam is a major water reservoir and a popular spot for picnics, fishing, and birdwatching.

• Jarrahdale Cemetery: This historic cemetery dates back to the late 19th century and contains the graves of early settlers and pioneers of the region.

• Jarrahdale Heritage Park: This park preserves the historical heritage of Jarrahdale, including old timber mill sites, railway relics, and walking trails that showcase the area's logging history.

• Serpentine Falls: Just a short drive from Jarrahdale, Serpentine Falls is a picturesque natural attraction with cascading waterfalls, swimming holes, and bushwalking trails.

• Jarrahdale Railway Station: While no longer operational, the Jarrahdale Railway Station remains as a historical landmark, reflecting the importance of rail transport during the timber milling era.

Byford Metronet Rail Extension

Once the Byford Rail Extension is complete, residents in Byford and the wider Serpentine Jarrahdale area will enjoy a seamless 42-minute train journey to the Perth CBD. The Armadale Line is extending 8km south to a new ground-level station in Byford, supporting one of Australia's fastest-growing areas. Armadale Station is getting a facelift, becoming an elevated station, and busy level crossings are being replaced. The project aims to boost development opportunities in Armadale and Byford, enhancing connectivity and easing road congestion, with the Armadale/Thornlie Line temporarily closed until mid-2025 for these improvements.

Features & Landmarks

• Byford Town Centre

• San Simeon Boulevard Plaza

• Future Byford Health Hub

• SJ Community Recreation Centre

• Byford Library

• Briggs Park

• Byford Secondary College

To stay up to date, learn more at Metronet.

Future Byford Health Hub

The East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) and SJ Shire collaborated to create the Byford Health Hub (BHH) to meet community health and social needs. The BHH, to be located in the Shire Civic Reserve, will provide high quality care closer to home, extending beyond traditional hospital settings. The facility focuses on hospital avoidance, links patients to primary care, fosters partnerships between health and social care providers, enhances the patient experience, and improves long-term health outcomes in the SJ Shire community. The hub will be built on the southern half of the Shire's 7000 sqm civic reserve, less than 100m from the platform of the new Byford Rail Station. 

Features & Landmarks

• Byford Town Centre

• San Simeon Boulevard

• Byford Metronet Rail Extension

• Briggs Park

• Byford Secondary College

• SJ Community Recreation Centre

• Byford Library

West Mundijong Industrial Area

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has been planning for the development of the West Mundijong Industrial Area since 2008 after project consultation with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. In 2018 this 440ha land parcel was zoned industrial, with the potential to create several hundred industrial lots and employ in excess of 13,600 people at full buildout.

The Shire has completed a Structure Plan and Development Contribution Plan for this area and the first industrial lot subdivision is underway. The development of the West Mundijong Industrial Area will also be supported by gradual upgrades of local road infrastructure and the delivery of major State Government infrastructure (Tonkin Highway and freight rail deviation). As a result of the upgrades to the key roads surrounding West Mundijong Industrial Area, there will be improved freight connectivity to and from the Inner Harbour and to the future Westport Outer Harbour. It will also mean improved connectivity to the new Tonkin Highway Extension leading to the main north-south freight network of Perth and Peel.

Find out more by clicking here.

Future Westport

The Future Westport project in Western Australia focuses on addressing long-term freight and logistics needs in the Perth Metropolitan Area.

Strategic Planning: Future Westport strategically plans to accommodate future freight growth, analysing current infrastructure, potential port locations, and evaluating environmental and social impacts.

Port Development: The project optimises existing port facilities' efficiency and capacity, considering expansions at the Port of Fremantle, improvements to industrial areas, and the development of new port facilities.

Transportation Integration: Future Westport integrates port operations with road, rail, and potentially inland waterways to enhance connectivity and efficiency, reducing congestion and environmental impacts.

Environmental and Social Considerations: The project emphasises sustainability, addressing habitat conservation, air and water quality, and climate change resilience. Social impacts and community engagement are key considerations.

Economic Growth and Competitiveness: Future Westport supports economic growth by ensuring efficient freight movement, attracting investment, creating jobs, and enhancing international trade opportunities for Western Australia's competitiveness in trade and logistics industries.

Latest news:

Westport has recently evaluated design options for the new port, considering factors such as economic impact, sustainability, community benefits, and connections to road and rail networks. Learn more by watching Westport’s video—click here to view. The preferred design will provide a modern and efficient port and freight network to future proof trade in WA, enhancing Kwinana’s status as a world-class industrial hub, and minimising environmental impacts to support the long-term health of Cockburn Sound.

Features & Landmarks

• Kwinana Fwy

• Thomas Road

• Tonkin Highway Extension

• West Mundijong Industrial Area

• Future Freight Rail Deviation

• Perth Airport

Learn more about the project by clicking here. 

Byford Town Centre

Byford Town Centre is undergoing a significant transformation from a rural hub to an urban centre, driven by the increasing residential demand in the surrounding areas. This transition is being accelerated by the development of the new Byford Rail Station, a key component of the broader Perth Metronet plan.

The Byford station, positioned at the end of the rail line, is designed to connect the historic and emerging parts of Byford, fostering a cohesive town centre. In anticipation of this growth, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has allocated a 7,000 sqm community-purpose site in their recent activity centre plan. This site is intended to become a focal point for the community, integrating seamlessly with other planned civic and commercial enhancements around the town centre.

Learn more here

Future Keirnan Park Recreation and Sporting Precinct

Keirnan Park Recreation and Sporting Precinct is a 63-hectare site located on the corner of Keirnan Street and South Western Highway, Mundijong.

In recognition of the significant population growth in the Shire, an assessment of community infrastructure and public open space needs identified the need for a district sporting space that can also perform a regional function for identified key sporting codes.

Keirnan Park was identified as the most appropriate location for this sport space and this was supported by a decision by the State Government in August 2020 to provide $20 million for a first stage development. The precinct's Masterplan was endorsed by Council on 15 March 2021.

Learn more about the project by clicking here.

Briggs Precinct

Home to top local sports clubs like Mundijong Centrals Junior Football Club and SJ Blues Cricket Club, Briggs Precinct features practice nets, ovals, a pavilion, skatepark, and a BMX track, making it ideal for various sports and recreational activities. The two ovals are equipped with lighting for night training and games, whilst a variety of youth programs are offered from the youth centre located at the pavilion throughout the year.

Next to the ovals is the SJ Community Recreation Centre, which offers a fully equipped health club, a group fitness studio, sports courts, an extreme sports area, a 300-seat function room available for hire, and out of hours school care services. A variety of community and recreational term programs are offered from the centre, with something to suit everyone!

With a number of projects across the Briggs Precinct identified to help serve our growing community, concept design and development processes are currently underway, such as youth centre upgrades, a skate park extension, a pump track development and investigations for a future expansion for the recreation centre.

The BMX facility will also be relocated to Keirnan Park in the coming years, which will provide the opportunity for a new sports pavillion and community facility to be developed between the two ovals.