Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire named fastest growing population in Australia

A local shire has been named the fastest growing local government area in Australia.

Results from the past three years showed Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire had the fastest growing population, Australian demographers i.d, consultant Glenn Capuano said.

“Between 2016 and 2036, the population for the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale is forecast to increase by 40,682 persons (147 per cent),” he said. 

“Over the past five years the Shire has had a 49.5 per cent population growth. Despite the fact that there has been a significant slow down in growth across WA last year.”

He said comparison, Perth City had grown 38.6 percent in this time. 

In the past year, the Serpentine Jarrahdale population had grown 8.1 per cent.

Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire president Michelle Rich said the Shire had welcomed nearly 10,000 new residents in the past five years. 

“For council, this means facilitating development of things like schools, shopping centres, sport and recreation facilities, aged care services and youth and community services,” she said. 

Specifically, Ms Rich said the Shire would meet future population demands by helping to deliver the Tonkin Highway extension. 

“This project will be a game-changer for our residents and the catalyst for creating thousands of local jobs,” she said.

 “It will also reduce heavy freight traffic, decrease vehicle emissions, and significantly improve safety for all road users.”

Ms Rich said projects in the works include a new sporting complex, aging population services and a rapid bus link between Rockingham, Mundijong, Byford and Armadale.

Mr Capuano said the Shire had an “overspill” from surrounding areas including Armadale and Gosnells.  

In contrast, Mandurah generated its own growth in part and also had migration from the whole of Australia. 

“It is a retirement location so has an ageing population,” Mr Capuano said.

“A lot more families have also moved to Mandurah in the past five years.”

Mandurah had a modest growth in the last year of 1.3 per cent and 13.2 per cent in the past five years. 

According to the i.d forecast statistics, The City of Mandurah population was set to skyrocket from 87,886 in 2018 to 119,877 by 2036.