News & Events
Treechange the new seachange
Encouraging events for the
Horse & Pony Club
Small Farm Field Day a Big Hit
July 4th, 2008
Gidgegannup Showgrounds
Village News - June 2008
Small Farm Field Day
June 29th, 2008
Gidgegannup Showgrounds
Port Bouvard Ltd Supports Gidgegannup Events
Port Bouvard Ltd Seeks Gidgegannup Community’s Views
Market Research Feedback
A survey was issued to 800 Gidgegannup households in November 2007. By the December deadline a 22% response rate had been achieved.
The results provided some interesting insights into the Gidgegannup lifestyle including:
- 46% of respondents moved to Gidgegannup for the country lifestyle, while 25% were seeking peace and quiet and 20% space and privacy
- These attributes also ranked as the top best aspects of Gidgegannup, along with natural/rural setting (33%), friendly community (28%) and that Gidgegannup is close to other places such as Midland (20%)
- Residents stated that Gidgegannup needed better shops (32%), and more reliable power & telecommunications (19%)
- 41% of the residents spend their leisure time bushwalking, 23% horse riding and 16% socialising
- In terms of activities undertaken outside of Gidgegannup, 77% ate out, 77% went shopping, 61% went to the movies and 38% went to the markets in Midland, Guildford and Mundaring
- Residents tended to use the existing Gidgegannup shops for their newspaper, post and petrol with all major grocery and household shopping undertaken in Midland, Mundaring or Guildford
- 49% of respondents wanted a fruit and veggie shop in Gidgegannup, 48% a chemist, 47% an IGA, 42% a butcher and 38% a pub/tavern
- 38% of residents would also like a swimming pool, 33% a children’s playground, 32% a library, 27% a seniors centre and 25% a gym
- Not surprisingly 92% would like to see future development include rain water tanks, 82% roof insulation, 78% retention of native gardens, 73% waterwise gardens, 73% grey water reuse, 70% passive solar design, 70% water efficient water appliances and 62% solar power or alternative energy
- 30% of residents recognised that development of the townsite would improve infrastructure and services to the area, 8% recognised that there would be less travel and 8% indicated there would be more shops
- 34% of residents would use public transport once a week or more often. This was evident by the fact that 70% of the respondents were travelling 15 minutes or more to work.
The research has outlined the fact that residents were concerned about the impact of increased population to the area and in particular with retaining the community feel of Gidgegannup. This is a valid concern which will need to be addressed through the design of the village and surrounding areas and in the range of community facilities which are proposed.
Residents also indicated that other localities such as Margaret River, Balingup, Busselton, Bridgetown, Toodyay and York were good examples of town centres that Gidgegannup could ultimately become like in terms of streetscape and character.
Overall however, the respondents to the survey indicated an interest in developing Gidgegannup and this is the focus that Port Bouvard Ltd now hopes to share with the community and relevant government departments.