Banner featuring community members in Serpentine Jarrahdale

Road safety a priority in Council budget

Serpentine Jarrahdale is putting road safety in the driver’s seat, committing over $26 million to tackle the Shire’s most dangerous blackspots and make local roads safer for everyone.


Council has adopted its 2025–26 budget, paving the way for a $64.9 million investment in everyday services and transformative projects to support Perth’s fastest growing Shire.


The budget includes an extensive capital works program reflecting community priorities such as new and upgraded sporting facilities, better street lighting and improved waste services.


Shire President Rob Coales also forecast another year of working closely with State and Federal governments in a bid to achieve further funding for the infrastructure required to support Serpentine Jarrahdale’s rapidly increasing population.


In a year of tight financial circumstances, President Coales said the biggest focus in the budget ‘by far’ was improving the standard of local roads, with several critical major projects planned to take shape over the next 12 months,

  • $5.9 million towards construction of three roundabouts along Kargotich Road (multiple year projects totalling $17m fully grant funded).
  • $4.1m of MRRG Rehabilitation and Upgrade funded projects (King Road, Nettleton Road, Hopeland Road and Mundijong Road/Paterson Street intersection).
  • $3.3m for construction of Indigo Parkway (over two years).
  • $1.2m of Federal Blackspot funded projects for Karnup Road between Punrak Road and Hopeland Road.
  • $1m of Roads to Recovery funded projects (gravel resheeting of Selkirk Road, Henderson West Road and upgrades to Briggs Road and Baskerville Road).
  • $653,600 of State Blackspot projects to upgrade the intersection of Summerfield Road and Richardson Street.

President Coales said the budget had been framed to support the continuing transformation of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
Acknowledging the cost-of-living pressures facing households, and the difficulty of balancing current and future infrastructure needs, he said Council would continue its strong advocacy on behalf of the community.


“Our residents have told us loud and clear that road safety is their number one concern, which is why we will continue to work in partnership State and Federal government to deliver crucial infrastructure projects in the Shire,” President Coales said.


“With two new families moving into the Shire every day, our roads are under increasing pressure to cope. This budget supports major upgrades at several key locations and will help deliver a smoother and safer journey for motorists.

“While roads are by far the budget’s biggest ticket item, we realise more needs to be done and this will be an ongoing focus for years to come.”


The budget includes a 4.8% rate increase reflecting the 2.8% rise in Consumer Price Index (CPI) with a further 2% going towards funding the road program.


It allocates $4.75m for works to enable the re-opening of the Watkins Road Waste Transfer Station with a further $4.1m for footpaths, including a new path along Soldiers Road between Abernethy and Bishop Roads and upgrades to existing footpaths on Gordin Way (Byford) and along Wellard Street and Karnup Road (Serpentine).


More than $2.7m will go towards construction of the Oakford Fire Station. New streetlights will be installed at the intersection of Bournbrook Avenue and Gallagher Way (Cardup) and along Old Brickworks Road and Clara Street (Byford).


Sport and recreation facilities remain a key consideration with projects including the completion of Byford Pump Track, master planning for the Jarrahdale Trails Centre, upgrades at Serpentine and Districts Golf Club and lighting at Kalimna Oval and Clem Kentish Oval, as well as a back net and water fountain at Upper Briggs Oval.


Council also acknowledged the Shire’s strong equestrian heritage, maintaining the Trotting Complex Precinct concession to support the continued use of the precinct for professional equine activities.


President Coales said the budget was always a balance of diverse priorities and thanked the residents who made submissions during the process.


“We understand the pressures facing households, and we also have a responsibility to provide the services that make our community liveable and connected,” President Coales said.


“As well as roads, our footpaths, parks, library and waste services are all critical to our residents’ quality of life and these are all subject to rising costs and increasing demand.


“This budget ensures we can deliver the services and facilities our community relies on every day, and we will continue do everything we can to attract further funding for the Shire.”


View the 2025-2026 budget