The development of the Canning Bridge and South Perth Train Station precincts has moved a significant step closer following on from the Ordinary Council Meeting on 27 June 2007.

Having received the Community Engagement Reports prepared by consultants Estill and
Associates regarding the Canning Bridge and South Perth Train Stations, Council will now make the survey findings publicly available through the City’s website and Libraries, and the final Report will also be forwarded to the WA Planning Commission (WAPC).

The WAPC has advised the City that they will contribute half the cost of preparing, in
conjunction with the Cities of South Perth and Melville, a precinct plan for the 800 metre radius surrounding the Canning Bridge Station, and half the cost of investigating the opportunities for transit oriented re/development within the 800 metre radius precinct surrounding the future South Perth Station.

The City of South Perth will be matching the WAPC’s proposed funding with up to a maximum of $50,000 per precinct.

This progress follows on from the application and receipt of Network City Communities
Program grants by the City in 2005/06, which were used for community engagement projects to prepare specific local area planning strategies for each precinct.

Stage 1 consultation has involved key stakeholder interviews, focus groups, community forums and a community survey, with the final project reports delivered to Council in May 2007, highlighting residents’ key areas of expectation and concern for each individual precinct such as parking, traffic volumes associated with ‘kiss and ride’ and pedestrian access to the stations.

Mayor John Collins said that the completion of Stage 1 has seen the involvement of the South Perth community in determining the future direction of the precincts.

“The input and visioning gathered from the community will inform the basis of the second stage, involving the development of formal planning strategies,” he said.

“It is essential to ensure proper planning and development takes place with such important transport infrastructure, and this is attributed in part to the community through the consultation process.

“Now that we have received the survey report highlighting key areas, the second stage can be initiated, which will involve further investigation of the project and the preparation of a precinct plan for each train station.”

At this stage it has been agreed that the City of South Perth will assume project management responsibility for the South Perth precinct project and the City of Melville for the Canning Bridge project. As the WAPC is a significant stakeholder, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure will participate in these projects by contributing leadership, expertise and other associated technical support.

The City has anticipated making a significant financial contribution to both Stage 2 studies and has made appropriate provisions in the 2007/08 draft budget. Further community consultation will be undertaken in conjunction with the Stage 2 planning.

The Canning Bridge Station is scheduled to be opened later this year when the Southern Suburbs Railway becomes operational, however the Minister for Planning recently announced a delay in the construction of the South Perth Station.