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13 The Esplanade Public Open Space

13 The Esplanade Public Open Space

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Development of a new public open space in the Canning Bridge Precinct.

Last Updated: 4 December 2024 Follow Engagement

With the increasing density within the Canning Bridge Activity Precinct, Council has identified the need to provide additional public open space for local residents. At the April 2023 Ordinary Meeting of Council, Council resolved to progress converting the site at 13 The Esplanade and 64 Kishorn Road, Mt Pleasant, into new public open space.

Public open space is land that is freely accessible and for a variety of purposes, including parks, playgrounds, sporting fields and civic spaces. Aside from providing places to play, be active or relax, public open spaces bring environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits. It can increase aesthetic appeal, amenity and value of the area. 

    Proposed plan

    At the November 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council, a proposed concept design was presented, and Council supported the design to progress grant funding applications.

    Click the arrow on the right hand side to scroll through the design.
     

    Can't see the design above? View the proposed plan and other documents in the document library.

    About the site

    The former Senior Citizens building was demolished eight years ago, and since then, the site has been used as a car parking area and construction set-down zones, with no buildings or structures remaining. The vacant land and parking area, located between 13 The Esplanade and 64 Kishorn Road in Mt Pleasant, covers approximately 2,000 square metres. It serves as a connection between Kishorn Road and The Esplanade, with part of the site being used for car parking. The land is currently not zoned as public open space.

    Site challenges include:

    • Ensuring the green space is adaptable to changing demographics and increasing density in the future
    • The need for a continuous connection to the river foreshore
    • Balancing multiple functions within a relatively small site area

    FAQs

    What has happened so far?

    At the April 2023 Ordinary Meeting of Council, Council resolved to forthwith progress conversion of 100% of the site at 13 The Esplanade and 64 Kishorn Road, Mt Pleasant to public open space.

    • At the July 2023 Ordinary Meeting of Council, Council resolved to adopt the following consultation, development and completion timeline for the site at 13 The Esplanade and 64 Kishorn Road, Mt Pleasant. Public consultation, concept plans, report and recommendation to be presented to Council at the February 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council and to provide funding for construction to commence immediately on approval with a proposed completion date by December 2024.
    •  In response to the resolution from the July 2023 Ordinary Meeting of Council, the City has completed the public consultation and concept design phases of the open space project at 13 The Esplanade and 64 Kishorn Road, Mt Pleasant.
    • The City sought Council’s endorsement of the concept design and to progress with the detail design of the public open space at the May 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council. Council voted against supporting the concept design and budget 6/5.
    • The City presented a revised concept design and sought Council support at the November 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council, in order to allow the City to progress its grant funding application. Council supported this design, adding a new request that the CEO seek funding for this project through Election commitments through local candidates (Bateman and Tangney) in the lead up to State and Federal elections. 
    What will happen next?
    The City will progress its grant applications at both State and Federal levels in order to meet budget requirements for the proposed development. 
    What has changed from the initial draft Concept Design?
    Due to budget constraints, the City of Melville Council did not support the original draft.

    At the November 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council, an updated draft design was presented, and Council supported the design to progress grant funding applications.  The concept must be supported by Council to allow the City to seek funding for this project via grant applications.

    The initial draft (pictured below) incorporated community feedback and included features such as:  
    • Art and play areas: Creative and interactive spaces for children and families.
    • Potential outdoor exercise equipment: Facilities to promote health and fitness.
    • Seating and gathering spaces: Comfortable areas for relaxation and socialising.
    • Path network links and connections: Well-planned paths to ensure easy access and connectivity.
    • Green space: Open grassy areas, garden beds, and trees to enhance the natural beauty.
     

    In order to meet the budget requirements for this project, the following items were removed from the updated design:  
    • Art  
    • Carparking  
    • Bike stands  
    • Bin surrounds  
    • Water fountain  
    • Mature transplanted trees  
    • Feature seating elements with raised bespoke garden beds. 

    You can view the supported concept design above.
    How can I be kept informed on the outcomes of this project?
    To stay updated on the outcomes of this project, simply click on the 'follow engagement' button at the top of this page. 
    What was the engagement process to develop the draft design?

    With the engagement timeline condensed for this project, an initial draft concept design was developed and shared with the community. We then sought community feedback through an online and in-person survey, as well as two drop-in sessions at the location. These sessions provided an opportunity for the community to share their feedback and ideas in person, as well as learn more about the project’s vision, the site's constraints, and the challenges of balancing multiple uses within a relatively small area.

    This information was communicated to the local and wider community through a mix of traditional methods (letters, posters, newspapers) and digital platforms (webpage, emails, and social media).

    The site faces several limitations, including the need to accommodate a variety of uses within a restricted space, ensuring future adaptability for changing demographics, and creating a seamless connection to the river foreshore. These constraints were key considerations in the design process, and the community’s input was essential in shaping a proposal that aligns with both local needs, site's practical and finacial limitations.

    Will there be any additional opportunities to provide feedback?
    There are no further opportunities to provide feedback on this project.

    Contact us

    ContactOpen Space Design
    Emailopenspace.design@melville.wa.gov.au

    Timeline

    • 18 April 2023
    • Ordinary Meeting of Council
      Council resolved to forthwith progress conversion of 100% of the site to public open space
    • 16 August – 6 September 2023
    • Public engagement
      Community members are invited to view the draft concept plan and provide comment
    • Tuesday 22 August 2023
    • Drop in session 3-5pm
      Swan River Rowing Club, 2 The Esplanade, Mount Pleasant WA 6153
    • Wednesday, 23 August 2023
    • Drop in session 6-8pm
      Swan River Rowing Club, 2 The Esplanade, Mount Pleasant WA 6153
    • 7 September 2023 – January 2024
    • Concept development
      Draft concept will be refined based on key findings from community consultation
    • 20 February 2024
    • Ordinary Meeting of Council
      Report item presented with concept design and Officer recommendation. Item deferred.
    • 22 May 2024
    • Ordinary Meeting of Council
      Item presented to Council. Council voted against supporting the concept design and budget
    • 19 November 2024
    • Ordinary Meeting of Council
      Council resolved to support the design and seek grant funding options

    Location

    Project location
    13 The Esplanade and 64 Kishorn Road, Mt Pleasant Get Directions

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