The City has issued a formal response to the Dawesville Discovery Centre Project Proposal, which was submitted to the Mayor and Councillors on 26 February 2026. The proposal was acknowledged for its quality, clarity and the evident care taken in its preparation. The City noted that the vision and purpose of the project were well articulated and professionally presented.

Existing Environmental and Eco-Tourism Priorities

The City advised that its environmental engagement team had previously outlined the organisation’s current environmental and eco-tourism priorities in correspondence dated 17 March 2026. These priorities include the development of ecotourism opportunities at Yalgorup National Park in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), the enhancement of environmental and cultural education experiences at Creery Wetlands and the thrombolites, and the continued delivery of a network of urban and nature trails.

Strategic Alignment and Community Leasing Constraints

The City explained that its community leasing portfolio is closely aligned with strategic objectives due to limited space, limited resources and the subsidised nature of community-purpose leasing. As a result, new leases must be planned and allocated in accordance with the City’s Corporate Business Plan. In circumstances where external proposals do not align with current corporate priorities, the City is unable to progress applications to lease.

Based on these constraints, the City confirmed that it is not possible to advance the Dawesville Discovery Centre proposal within the next two years.

Future Consideration and Referral

Although the proposal cannot proceed at this time, the City has referred it to the Economic Development Team for future reference. The response notes that if the City decides to activate the site at 2 Thisbe Drive, Dawesville (Reserve 30624), the proponent may be contacted for further information and may be invited to submit an expression of interest.

Assessment Process and Competing Priorities

The City highlighted that it receives a high volume of proposals from both community and commercial groups seeking to lease or licence land. Each proposal is assessed against the Strategic Community Plan, corporate priorities, project feasibility, internal due diligence requirements and approval processes. This context explains the need for careful prioritisation and the City’s decision not to progress the proposal at this time.

Conclusion

The City’s response indicates that while the Dawesville Discovery Centre proposal is well regarded, it does not currently align with the City’s strategic priorities or community leasing capacity. The proposal remains on record for potential future consideration should circumstances change or if the City seeks to activate the identified reserve.