A new urban planning study will look at ways to revitalise the station precinct around the new Canning Bridge Railway Station.
The City of Melville, City of South Perth and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) on behalf of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) have commenced a planning analysis of the precinct and the surrounding area.
The study will address matters such as pedestrian access to the station, car parking and vehicle circulation, housing diversity, built form, precinct character and visual landscape.
"The precinct has high importance as a transfer point, being the nexus of the railway and major east-west bus routes," said WAPC Chairman Jeremy Dawkins.
"However, the site for the rail station is highly constrained in a relatively narrow portion of the Kwinana Freeway reserve and this space limitation impacts on opportunities for associated urban development in close proximity to the station and limits pedestrian access to the station from the surrounding area.
"The study will identify these opportunities and constraints and look at ways to support the precinct as a robust activity centre within the context of the State Government's Network City framework."
The precinct will be planned along transit oriented development principles - that is, to be a connected, walkable neighbourhood incorporating a mix of residential and commercial development where appropriate with reduced reliance on private motor vehicle transport.
The planning analysis will include an economic study of the precinct to assist in identifying an optimal land use mix. Ways to improve accessibility within and around the precinct will also be addressed.
Concept plans will be developed to improve the function and amenity of the precinct. In addition, the study will seek to identify capital improvement and funding opportunities.
It will culminate in a planning framework and implementation guide to support a staged approach to improving the function, accessibility and amenity of the Canning Bridge precinct.
The City of Melville and City of South Perth are working with their respective communities and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure to ensure the precinct planning incorporates the best of contemporary transit oriented development principles.
A stakeholder open day for major landowners and stakeholders of Melville and South Perth will take place on 21 July. Details of this event will be advertised on the council website.
Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said the city was committed to working co-operatively and creatively with its partners and the Melville community.
"We have appointed Director Strategic Urban Planning Craig McClure to oversee the consultants' work and lead a project management group comprising members from all three partners," Mr Aubrey said.
South Perth Mayor James Best said the study offered a unique opportunity to shape the future of this small but significant precinct.
"The creation of the train station is the catalyst to re-thinking the character and use of the land immediately around it in line with sustainable urban design principles."
Those stakeholders that are most influenced by activities and infrastructure in the area will be invited in the near future to provide their views on the Canning Bridge Precinct and to provide suggestions where improvements may be needed.
Residents’ contributions from a stage one study are being included in this study. Stage one of the study commenced the community engagement on the Canning Bridge Precinct and included a community workshop,
“The City of South Perth was pleased with the input by a large number of residents into stage one and encourages individuals to have their say in this more detailed process,” said Mayor James Best.
For further information contact
Craig McClure, City of Melville on 9364 0985 or cmcclure@melville.wa.gov.au
Roslyn Mulcahy, City of South Perth on 9474 0716 or roslynm@southperth.wa.gov.au
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