Overview
Located 97 kilometers south of the state capital, Perth, Bouvard is the second southernmost suburb of Mandurah, Western Australia. The governance of Bouvard falls under the City of Mandurah.
The Origin of Bouvard
Bouvard owes its name to Cape Bouvard, positioned about 5 kilometers to the west. Nicolas Baudin, a French explorer, named the Cape during his voyage to Rottnest Island from current-day Bunbury in 1802-1803. The cape was either named after Charles Bouvard, a French chemist, or Alexis Bouvard, an astronomer and director of Paris Observatory.
Development and Environmental Conservation
The Park Ridge estate, one of several in Bouvard, was established in the 1990s. Bouvard Coastcare, a dedicated volunteer group, has been recognized for its commitment to preserving the delicate coastal and dune environment.
Geographical Layout
Bouvard comprises a thin stretch of land along both sides of the Old Coast Road, the principal route linking Mandurah and Bunbury. With Yalgorup National Park and the Harvey Estuary bordering it, Bouvard’s geographical aspect includes sparsely populated rural residential land with extensive lots separated by bushland buffers.
Population and Amenities
At the 2011 census, Bouvard recorded a population of 821 people. The community features walking trails, a few small roadside shops, and a fuel station. Schools and shopping centers are easily accessible, with the closest shopping center being IGA Dawesville.
Transportation
Public transportation has been available since May 2011, with selected 594 services from Mandurah Station servicing Bouvard. A Transperth school bus stops at the Bouvard Tavern, and South West Coach Lines, a private operator, provides service from Perth to Bunbury several times a day.
Politics
Bouvard’s political landscape leans towards the center-right, evident from the 2004 federal election results. The nearest polling place at Dawesville showed a primary vote of 60.59% for the Liberal Party. However, at the 2005 state election, the Liberals received a reduced vote of 43.8%, with the Australian Labor Party garnering 36.8% and the Nationals obtaining 9.2%.
