Esplanade and Apex Reserve Bike Route Feasibility Study

Included within the Long-Term Cycle Network (LTCN), this area was identified in the 2023 Walk and Ride Melville Plan as a key route. In addition to this, the route has seen 11 reported crashes involving bike riders over the past five years.

The key objectives of this project is to:

• Encourage walking and bike riding with the aid of new infrastructure and address safety concerns around road safety
• Interconnected continuous, safe and well-maintained bicycle way that bike riders of all abilities feel comfortable with
• Encourage residents to leave the car at home and use active transport for work, school community, recreation and shopping
• Increase the attractiveness, comforts and safety for people enjoying the river foreshore on foot, riding a bike, or using mobility scooter
• Increase cyclist safety whilst using the carriageway

The City of Melville has engaged Arcadis to conduct this feasibility study. Arcadis brings local, national, and international experience in integrated transport planning expertise, in addition to being among Australia's leading infrastructure design and engineering companies.
 
The PR Collaborative has been appointed as Arcadis' stakeholder engagement consultant for this project. The PR Collaborative is a Perth-based PR consultancy delivering communication and engagement strategies.

The Esplanade Community Reference Group (ECRG) was established to support a collaborative and iterative engagement process for the project. The group helped ensure a broad mix of community perspectives and supporting agencies were represented.

Who was part of the ECRG?
The ECRG included a combination of invited stakeholder representatives and community members selected through an open Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The group consisted of up to 22 representatives.

How were community members selected?
Community representatives were selected by PR Collaborative through a blind assessment process using de-identified information, helping to achieve a diverse mix of demographics, interests and community perspectives.

Is there a Terms of Reference for the ECRG?
Yes. All ECRG members were required to adhere to the ECRG Terms of Reference outlined below.

ECRG Terms of Reference

The City of Melville is committed to improving the safety and experience for everyone who uses The Esplanade and Apex Reserve Bike Route, including walkers, joggers, runners, bike riders, scooter users, and those with mobility scooters. 

The City has commissioned a comprehensive feasibility study to assess how The Esplanade's roadway and adjacent foreshore recreational shared path can be made safer and more enjoyable. 

The project goals include: 

• Enhancing Safety: Making the road and path safer for all users. 

• Improving Vibrancy and Amenity: Enhancing the scenic beauty and usability of the area. 

• Facilitating Movement: Ensuring smooth flow for non-motorised vehicles and regular vehicles at reduced speeds.  

The City has engaged Arcadis to conduct this feasibility study.  The PR Collaborative has been appointed as Arcadis' stakeholder engagement consultant for this project. 

The Esplanade and Apex Reserve Bike Route Feasibility Study covers the area from Apex Reserve at Canning Bridge to Pulo Road, including the foreshore shared path to the Leach Highway intersection.  This area is a key segment of Western Australia’s Long-Term Cycle Network, serving both commuters and recreational users along the foreshore. 

Formation of the Esplanade Community Reference Group 

The City has proposed putting in place a formal community consultative advisory group to play a primary role in the consideration of issues associated with The Esplanade and Apex Reserve Bike Route Feasibility Study. Referred to as The Esplanade Community Reference Group (ECRG), the group will be complemented by a range of additional consultation and information opportunities for members of the community and relevant local interest groups.  

Core Objectives

• To ensure the City can make decisions, in relation to The Esplanade and Apex Reserve Bike Route Feasibility Study, that consider the relevant concerns, preferences and local knowledge of the community. 

• To provide accurate information to the community about significant aspects of The Esplanade and Apex Reserve Bike Route Feasibility Study. 

Functions

• Convey general community perspectives to assist the City to manage the issues associated with The Esplanade and Apex Reserve Bike Route Feasibility Study in a manner that will earn the support of the community. 

• Ensure the City hears from a diverse set of voices in the community, aiming for a collaborative outcome. 

• Bring to the attention of the City any general community concerns or specific issues about the project that may have the potential to impact on its acceptance by the wider community. 

• Assist in relaying to the wider community information and views about aspects of the project. 

• Provide a two-way information flow between the community and the City. 

• The ECRG will not have decision-making powers. 

Membership

Membership of the CRG is voluntary and will consist of a combination of invited key user groups and, through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, self-nominated members from the local community and representatives of local businesses, to ensure that an optimal cross-section of views is represented. 

Up to 20 representatives from sporting, community, business and other representative groups (as outlined below) that have a vested interest within the project area will be invited. 

Consultants for the project shall be co-opted to participate in ECRG meetings and discussions on an as-required basis. 

Chair

ECRG meetings will be chaired and facilitated by The PR Collaborative. 

Responsibilities of Members

Members are required to: 

• Attend meetings and participate in discussions. 

• Represent the interests and views of their section of the community. 

• Share their views but also remain committed to open and shared dialogue. 

• Inform interest groups and others about the project status and direction and convey feedback at meetings. 

• Refrain from speaking publicly or to the media on behalf of the ECRG or the City. 

• Advise the chairperson/facilitator if unable to attend meetings. 

• Actively participate during meetings in discussions on issues that are relevant to the project. 

• Restrict debate to relevant issues and items. 

• Be open and honest in their dealings at ECRG meetings and with ECRG members and project representatives. 

• Declare any vested interest. 

• Respect all confidentiality requirements requested by ECRG members and/or project representatives. 

Responsibilities of the Project Team

Project Team members are required to: 

• Ensure members of the ECRG are made aware of relevant project information. 

• Ensure meetings are scheduled to maximise participation. 

• Be responsible for taking meeting notes. 

• Be responsible for circulating agendas, meeting notes and any other relevant project information. 

Meetings 

• Meetings will be held at a function centre located close to the area(venue to be confirmed) and will commence at 6pm, and runfor no more than two hours.   
• The ECRG to meet on two separate occasions during the preparation of the Project Report.   
• The first meeting will be held on 31 July 2024 and the second meeting on 21 August 2024.  
• City of Melville Elected Members will be invited to attend the ECRG as observers. 
• The initial meeting will be run as a workshop, enabling members to develop an understanding of the project, plus consideration of the issues, challenges and opportunities, as well as the vision for the project outcomes. 
• The follow-up meeting will consider the vision outcomes and ways to support the delivery of that vision, along with an opportunity to consider the draft proposals. 
• The City will request permission to use photographs of the ECRG for media purposes.  Permission must be sought from all members if any individual wants to publicise or use images of ECRG participants in any public media (including social media). 
• ECRG members may be provided with confidential information in various forms by the City.  Information may be marked as confidential or verbally disclosed as confidential.  Members must agree to maintain confidentiality concerning all confidential information made available to the ECRG, unless written approval is obtained from the City to do otherwise. 
• Where an ECRG member has a conflict of interest (actual or perceived) in relation to a matter in which the group is concerned (or a matter that is likely to be considered or discussed) the member must disclose the interest to the group before the matter is considered or discussed at the meeting. Disclosure, which must include the nature of the relevant interest, will be recorded in the meeting minutes. 

Selection Process

The City will conduct a public Expressions of Interest (EOI) process through local media and on its website. People interested in joining the ECRG may nominate in the categories as shown in the Membership section above. 

Nominations must include: 

• Name 

• Address 

• Telephone 

• Email address 

• Reason for nominating 

• Confirmation of availability to participate 

Nominations in the respective categories from those people who meet the above requirements will be assessed by The PR Collaborative and members chosen to ensure the optimal cross section of views is represented on the ERCG. 

The community, including local residents, the wider City of Melville community, and people from outside the area who use the space, were invited to share their thoughts through an online survey. Feedback could also be provided over the phone, in person, or by completing a hard copy available at City of Melville Libraries and Leisure Facilities.

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