The City of South Perth and City  of Melville, along with the Western 
Australian Planning Commission and Department of Planning, took home a prestigious “Award for Planning Excellence” at the Planning Institute of Australia (Western Australian division) 2011 awards ceremony held on Friday  9 December.  

The award, in the category of “Best Planning Ideas” was for the “Canning Bridge Precinct Vision”, a project undertaken jointly by the two Local Governments and the State Government Planning agencies in conjunction with planning consultants GHD Pty Ltd.

The judges’ citation praised the project for providing “a framework for the regeneration of an important activity centre optimising its location, commercial, transport and access strengths and community values.”

The 50-year Vision is the culmination of extensive community consultation over five years.  It promotes the progressive redevelopment of the area around the Canning Bridge bus-rail interchange into a residential, retail and commercial hub, integrated with public transport and local amenities.  The aim is to facilitate sustainable transport, with improved pedestrian, cyclist and “kiss and ride” connections in the area, making facilities accessible without needing a car.

The judges also said: “The vision was based on a solid analysis of economic, growth and movement scenarios by a strong and committed partnership between state, multiple local governments, and consultant involvement while being supported by a process of community engagement.

The strength of this project is considered to be the adaptive scope which will ensure that the implementation of the vision occurs over time, striving for continual improvements.”

City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty said that the award recognised all the hard work that went into the project over the last few years. 

“It also acknowledges the success of the City’s commitment to its partnerships and working with the community. This award is an excellent launching pad for us to take the next step and commence a detailed Structure Plan study for the precinct, which will include further engagement with the community,” Mayor Doherty said.

For more information, visit Canning Bridge Precinct page or Department of Planning website.