North Dandalup, Western Australia

North Dandalup is a small town in the Peel region of Western Australia along the South Western Highway between Serpentine and Pinjarra. Its local government area is the Shire of Murray. At the 2011 census, North Dandalup had a population of 346.[2]

North Dandalup
Western Australia
North Dandalup Memorial Hall
Map
Coordinates32°31′08″S 115°58′05″E / 32.519°S 115.968°E / -32.519; 115.968
Population242 (UCL 2021)[1]
Postcode(s)6207
Area92.8 km2 (35.8 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Murray
State electorate(s)Murray-Wellington
Federal division(s)Canning
Localities around North Dandalup:
Nambeelup Keysbrook Keysbrook
Nambeelup North Dandalup Keysbrook
Ravenswood Meelon Meelon

History

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The name "Dandalup", a Noongar name relating to the rivers in the area, was shown on maps from 1835 onwards, but its meaning is unclear. When the Pinjarra to Picton Junction railway was joined to Perth in 1894, North Dandalup, near where the river of that name crossed the railway, was noted as a stopping place.[3]

Whittaker's timber railway ran from North Dandalup into the Darling Ranges where they had been granted a forestry concession of 36,000 acres (150 km2).[4]

Land for a school was set aside in 1899 and the school commenced operations in April 1900. A town hall and recreation ground were built in 1915. The town was gazetted in 1972, a year after work began on the construction of the nearby South Dandalup Dam. On 28 October 1994, the $50 million North Dandalup Dam was opened 6 km from the town.[5]

Present day

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North Dandalup today has a primary school, hall, convenience store and fuel station. The nearby North Dandalup Dam offers recreational facilities and activities. It lies close to the North Dandalup Important Bird Area.

A new estate development, Dandalup Springs[6] is under construction with titles for stage one due for release. 122 lots will be released in phase one with a further 100 lots (approximately) in phase two. This estate will see the population of North Dandalup more than double.[timeframe?]

Transport

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North Dandalup is located on the South Western Highway, and the turnoff for Dwellingup, Western Australia for travellers from Perth, Del Park Road, is located in the town.

It is a stopping place for the Australind passenger train from Perth to Bunbury.

Preceding station   Transwa Following station
Serpentine
towards Perth
Australind
(closed until 2025)
Pinjarra
towards Bunbury

References

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "North Dandalup (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.  
  2. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "North Dandalup (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 31 October 2012.  
  3. ^ "History of country town names – N". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2007.
  4. ^ Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, May, 1965 pp 81-86
  5. ^ Water Corporation of WA. "North Dandalup Dam" (PDF). Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Dandalup Springs". Retrieved 11 May 2014.
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