The work to convert City of Melville owned land in Applecross into public open space is progressing, with Council approving a community stakeholder engagement approach and timeline at the October 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council for the 50-52 Kishorn Road and 23, 29 and 31 Moreau Mews sites.
The City remains committed to new public open space and streetscape improvements for the site with the project aiming to develop a new town square public open space in the heart of the Canning Bridge precinct, transforming the area into a green, welcoming space where the community can relax, engage in leisure activities, and connect with one another.
The community stakeholder approach includes opportunities for the community to talk about their vision for the site in November and December 2024 before a public comment period on a draft plan in April and May 2025.
Community input will be crucial in shaping the use of the space, ensuring the design reflects local needs and aspirations.
Council also made an amendment to a previous requirement to obtain vacant possession of 23-27 Moreau Mews by 30 November 2024, and approved that 60-day periodic leases may be entered into beyond this date with the residential tenants, until the Moreau Mews Public Open Space site is ready to be developed.
The move to periodic leases would provide those residents with ongoing affordable housing in the midst of a housing crisis with the hope there may be some easing in the rental market by the time Moreau Mews is ready to be converted into public open space and the sites vacated.
Having tenants living in the property also ensures the properties would not remain vacant for a significant period of time.
The City owned car park at 29 Moreau Mews will remain accessible to the public pending a decision by Council on the final design and budget for the public open space redevelopment.
Comments attributed to City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair:
“The City of Melville is committed to progressing the work to convert the City of Melville owned land at 50-52 Kishorn Road and 23, 29 and 31 Moreau Mews in Applecross into public open space,” said Mayor Mair.
“We want vibrant and activated local places and spaces with this location sitting in the heart of the Canning Bridge precinct which through this project we’ll see a new town square public open space where the community can relax, engage in leisure activities, and connect with one another.
“There will soon be opportunities for the community to share their vision for this site and I encourage our community to have their say about how they want to use this area.
“Council’s decision to move to 60-day periodic leases for 23-27 and 29 Moreau Mews until the space is ready to be developed is an acknowledgement of the current housing crisis and I hope that this crisis eases once the site is ready to be developed.”
Image: City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair and Councillor Daniel Lim on-site at Moreau Mews in Applecross.