Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire is a predominantly rural Local Government Area, with the largest townships at Byford and Mundijong about 35 and 45 kilometres south of Perth respectively. The eastern areas of the Shire are dominated by conservation, timber and water catchment uses, with major water storages for Perth such as the Wungong Reservoir (part) and the Serpentine Dam located in the Shire. The central spine of Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire features many of the urban centres and the main transport corridor. Towns such as Byford, Mundijong and Serpentine and linked by the South Western Highway and the Bunbury Railway. The western end of the Shire remains predominantly rural, with a relatively small population. However, the outward growth of Metropolitan Perth towards the Shire in recent years has already and will continue to change these land use dynamics, with extra pressure for urban and rural residential expansion at the northern end of the Shire.
The Shire currently features a relatively small residential population, with the majority of residents located in the towns of Byford, Mundijong, Serpentine and Jarrahdale, as well as in rural residential areas in Oakford and Darling Downs. The rural residential areas around Byford, Oakford and Darling Downs feature a large share of equine properties, with significant training facilities. The economic base of Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire is still strongly oriented towards primary industries, although a large share (more than half ) of residents work outside the Shire. Other important industries include construction (driven by housing growth in the region) and other services, such as retail trade, education and health.
The population of Serpentine Jarrahdale has been relatively small until recent decades, with the expansion of Perth southward. The population of the Shire was just over 5,000 in 1981, growing to more than 8,000 by 1991 and up to 11,700 by 2001. Most of this growth was driven by small rural residential development and incremental developments at the fringe of the population centres. In the past three years, residential development has increased dramatically, with a much larger share of 'conventional' fringe residential development. As development rates in the City of Gosnells slow, more residential development is likely to spill into Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire (as well as the City of Armadale).
The primary housing market role that the Shire has played over the last two decades has been to provide rural-based lifestyles within commuting distance of employment in Perth. Recent developments are likely to provide relatively affordable housing for young and established families from southern Perth. This role is expected to continue and expand as the stocks of residential land in Gosnells are depleted and as housing costs in Perth remain high. The majority of people moving to Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire are expected to come from established areas in southern-eastern Perth
Within Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire, areas have developed and will continue to evolve different roles within the housing market. Variations occur due to environmental and aesthetic differences, the type and quality of residential and rural residential development being undertaken, the range of land uses in the area and accessibility to employment and services. As the largest main growth area of the Shire, Byford attracts people in all age groups, especially young and established families. Other areas such as Cardup-Oldbury-Mardella, Jarrahdale and Serpentine-Keysbrook-Hopeland attract families as well as some empty-nesters and young retirees. Oakford and Darling Downs tends to attract a greater share of mature families, while Mundijong is likely to attract much larger numbers of persons when greater levels of residential development occur over the following decade.
There are also significant differences in the supply of residential land within the Shire which will also have a major influence in structuring different population and household futures over the next five to twenty years. In the short to medium term, large greenfield stocks are available in Byford, as well as smaller rural residential opportunities across Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire. In the longer term, these areas are likely to be supplemented by a range of new greenfield areas in Mundijong Township and Oakford.