Sir James Mitchell Park Enhancements

Aerial view of Sir James Mitchell Park alongside the Swan River.

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Making your foreshore even better

We’ve got a range of projects planned for Sir James Mitchell Park to better enhance the natural environment and make this beautiful space even better for everyone to enjoy. Over the coming years we will be performing some upgrades that will improve conservation and connection to the river for people and wildlife; accessibility and inclusion; and the amenity of one of Perth’s most iconic areas of the Swan River foreshore.

Key features will include:

restoration of the South Perth foreshore riverbank and habitat enrichment of nearby established wetlands to improve stability and fauna habitat, and connection to the river for people and wildlife
improved connections to the river, beach access, shelter and pathways to enhance visitor experience, including retaining space for annual events
the construction of a new regional play space for families to enjoy
accessibility upgrades including a Changing Places toilet facility
completion of the Hurlingham Living Stream and additional low level lakeside plantings
lake water quality improvements
irrigation system upgrades and
lighting upgrades to improve safety.

The enhancements are happening in the area of Sir James Mitchell Park spanning the Scented Gardens to the east of Hurlingham car park. The works will be conducted in various stages over the coming years with the assistance of state and federal government funding.

The project stems from the South Perth Foreshore Strategy and Management Plan (SPF Plan) which guides future plans for the area based on what the community has told us they want at their foreshore during extensive consultation. The project achieves some key actions identified in the Plan in the following node areas: Node 2 Coode Street, Node 4 Coode Street Beach, Node 6 Deck Melaleuca Grove/ Scented Garden, Node 7 The Lakes and Node 9 Flag Pole.

In 2022 we conducted extensive stakeholder and community engagement to validate, update and further explore the SPF Plan Node 2: Coode Street. The outcomes of this engagement will contribute to that node’s enhancements and the draft design of the new regional play space. The Coode Street Foreshore Engagement Outcomes Report  is available on Your Say South Perth.

The City has worked closely with river and foreshore stakeholders during the planning process including the Department of Biodiversity, Conservations and Attractions (DBCA), Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) and the Commonwealth Government through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.

We’re working with First Nations groups to ensure the upgrades recognise and communicate the aboriginal connections to the land and the cultural and historical uses of the area.

Together we have developed a plan that strikes a balance between achieving sustainable environmental outcomes for this precious regional reserve; while also ensuring it evolves into a place that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy for years to come.

Please be patient

People walking along the South Perth foreshore.

These projects represent an exciting enhancement for our beloved foreshore but it will mean there is some impact for your visit. We need to plan for the future and these works are necessary to ensure our foreshore and local fauna is protected. The City has 5km of stunning river foreshore that visitors can enjoy as an alternative during the works.

The works schedule has been strategically developed to minimise disruption by avoiding peak activity periods and aligning operations with tidal cycles and prevailing weather conditions.

Businesses and trade operators have been informed of the project which aims to enhance their customers’ foreshore experience. The City will work closely with affected businesses to minimise disruption.

What's happening

Kicking off the enhancements to Sir James Mitchell Park was the installation of a new steel footbridge at Lake Douglas in April 2025 to replace the ageing timber bridge that was at risk of collapse. Residents can now enjoy a scenic walk across the lake thanks to the new bridge and widened adjoining concrete path. The project was funded by the City at a cost of $350,000.

A new accessible public toilet facility is under construction on the Coode Street Foreshore which will include the City's first Changing Places facility, made possible through over $180,000 of grant funding provided by the WA Department of Communities and the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

The nationally accredited Changing Places initiative provides appropriate facilities for people with high support needs who cannot use standard accessible toilets and will be completed by 2026.

These facilities are an important provision to aid both people with disability and their carers, allowing them to better participate in the community and access the City’s beautiful spaces and active places. This project will be complemented by a range of other access and inclusion initiatives implemented in future stages, including a regional play space.

We’ve began upgrading the irrigation system in Sir James Mitchell Park to replace the ageing infrastructure and increase watering capacity across the park.

The new and improved system will allow a more efficient use of irrigation water, increased customisation to allow hydrozoning, decreased downtime due to failures, and better coverage of the turf and garden areas. This project will enable the City to meet the demands of longer and hotter weather events and will ensure the popular foreshore park is maintained for the many events and visitors it hosts throughout the summer months.

Stage 1 of the project was completed in 2024 and involved the area near Lake Tondut, Clydesdale Reserve, on Douglas Avenue. We have also replaced and upgraded the system from the west side of the Narrows Bridge to the South Perth Esplanade car park.

We are currently working on Stage 2 of the upgrade between Coode Street and the South Perth Esplanade car park, which will be completed by early November 2025. These works have been planned to allow continued use and minimal interruptions for park users.

The final stage of the irrigation upgrade project will extend the improved system from Coode Street to Ellam Street and will begin in the 2026/2027 financial year.

We’re upgrading lighting in Sir James Mitchell Park to improve access and safety.

New electrical lighting will be installed along the pedestrian pathway from the Boatshed Café to Mill Point Close in two stages: Mends Street to Millers Pool and South Perth Esplanade car park to Mends Street*. Construction is planned to start in December/January and will be scheduled to minimise impact on summer foreshore events.

The lighting will improve safety along the foreshore pedestrian path at night, with further works planned to continue to Millers Pool and the bike and pedestrian pathways west of the Narrows Bridge in the Mill Point Reserve area. This will then provide pedestrian path lighting to the entire length of the Sir James Mitchell Park foreshore path network.

The lighting has been designed provide minimal impact to residents and limit glare onto the river and wildlife. It is highly customisable with the ability to set hours of use, as well as being low cost and easy to maintain.

*During November temporary solar lighting will be installed from the Boatshed Café to the South Perth Esplanade car park to replace the bollard lighting that has been regularly targeted by vandals.

In 2026 work will start on restoring the riverbank along Sir James Mitchell Park to connect and link established wetlands within the park with the Swan River foreshore.

Our South Perth Riverbank Restoration project is made possible by a $2.8m grant from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program (URCP), $850,000 funding from Department of Biodiversity, Conservations and Attractions and a $1.3m investment from the City of South Perth.

The project has a strong environmental focus with the aim of restoring the health of the river for native plants, animals and local communities by creating a habitat connection between existing foreshore wetland areas and the river. It will involve two stages that will see the foreshore area from the Scented Gardens to Djirda Miya restored.

DBCA logo.

Stage 1

Stage 1 of the URCP project is centred around the Coode Street Foreshore and will start in early 2026. It will involve realigning the existing pedestrian path further inland, away from the river. Two new headlands will also be constructed to protect the foreshore from anticipated sea and river level rises. This work will create an opportunity to regrade the existing river beaches and reconnect the river with nearby foreshore wetland areas, providing improved habitat for native wildlife such as the Rakali and the Fairy Tern.

The beaches near where the summer StrEATs event is held and where Funcats is located will be retained and regraded to enhance the experience for visitors. The realignment of the pedestrian footpath will also create more space for pedestrian movement around the Funcats area and the Boatshed Café.

Prompted by the need to stabilise the riverbank in this area and replace ageing riverwall assets, the Urban Rivers and Catchment Program grant will enable us to make additional improvements to make this already popular precinct an even more beautiful, active space while also achieving the required environmental outcomes.

Stage 2

Stage 2 of the URCP is planned for 2027/2028 and will include regrading the existing river beach between the Boatshed Café and the boat ramp, and introducing new habitat protection for the freshwater outflow near the jetty.

The ageing river wall between the boat ramp and Djirda Miya will be removed, allowing for the creation of a new gently sloping (1:20 grade) recreation beach, protected by two new headlands. The future regional play space and picnic areas will connect to this beach. The existing pedestrian path will be realigned further inland, away from the river, improving access and creation of the beach.

The park area between Djirda Miya and Lake Douglas will be revegetated to establish new wildlife habitat and strengthen ecological connections between the two areas.

Project plan

Project views

FAQs

I have provided feedback about this area in other projects. Will my previous feedback be considered?
Yes, we are basing our engagement on previous feedback we received on the South Perth Foreshore Strategy and Management Plan. This engagement builds on the aspirations already identified by the community.

What happened after the engagement which was completed in November 2022?

A concept design is available below. Once the design has been finalised, detailed design will take place. Implementation of the design is only now possible as the City has received grant funding.

As the Coode Street foreshore is within the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) area, the City will need to apply for approval from DBCA prior to implementation of any of the actions planned for the area.

Why is this project happening?

The current river wall is degraded, and the naturalised river edge will provide long-term environmental and community benefits.

Will this impact access to the foreshore?
Some areas may have temporary restrictions during construction, but the City will provide updates to minimise disruptions.

How will the project benefit wildlife?

The naturalised edge will improve habitats for native species and contribute to a healthier ecosystem.

Will this affect boating and water activities?

The City is working to ensure minimal impact on river users, with alternative access points available if required.

Will there be new paths installed as part of the project?
Yes, there will be access paths created through the length of the area for pedestrian and maintenance access. Paths will be made from compacted crushed limestone.

Will the new paths be suitable for bikes, skateboards, scooters/accessible for wheelchair used and/or people with ambulant disabilities?
The paths will be suited for pedestrians, wheelchairs or people with ambulant disabilities. The compacted aggregate surface is less suited to skateboards, scooters or high speed cyclists.

How can I ask questions about the project?

Fore more information, submit a request or phone 9474 0777 and ask to speak to someone about the Coode Street Foreshore project.

Stage 2 of the Hurlingham Living Stream will commence in February 2026. The project will complete the transformation of the Hurlingham Drain and parts of the surrounding grass area into a vibrant, planted living stream, aligning with the City’s South Perth Foreshore Strategy and Management Plan 2015 for Node 7: The Lakes.

This project, valued at $925,708, is supported by $602,350 in funding from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Stage 2 will be a continuation of the earthworks, pathways installation and planting undertaken in Stage 1 in 2025 and will include:

turf removal
removal of timber channel boards
reshaping of the drainage channel
installation of limestone pathways
planting of approximately 40,000 native tube stock plants
installation of temporary fencing to protect small plants during the establishment period.

Stream with new plants growing around it and trees in the background.

The popular Coode Street play space will be getting upgraded to provide families with even more reasons to visit the beautiful South Perth foreshore.

We’ll be asking the community to provide their input into the play space as we develop a design. You’ve told us during previous consultations about what you would like to see at the foreshore and we’ll use that information to inform our preliminary plans. Funding for the construction will be sought in 2026/27.

The play space will complement the nearby Changing Places facility currently under construction and future riverbank restoration works happening nearby.

As part of the works happening at Sir James Mitchell Park, we will conducting seasonal planting to enhance our green spaces in line with our Urban Greening Strategy. This Strategy was shaped by extensive input and collaboration with our community and is guided by four key pillars: Protect, Enhance, Manage, Connect and Support.

The planting will include a mix of low-level plants to improve drainage and fauna habitat as well as new trees to increase shade and replace trees that are at the end of their life.

Latest news

Works set to commence on Hurlingham Living Stream

Media Release 21 January 2025

Sir James Mitchell Park

The Hurlingham Drain is one step closer to becoming a vibrant living stream with works on the project set begin in February.

The conservation initiative, which forms part of the Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest program, will improve water quality flowing into the Swan Canning Estuary and foster greater biodiversity.

The $925,708 project is supported by $602,350 in funding from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, with the City contributing the remaining funds.

City of South Perth Mayor, Greg Milner said he was excited to see the project come to life when work officially began.

“Not only will this project transform an open drain into a thriving ecosystem, but it will also elevate the park’s natural beauty, making it an even more inviting space for the community,” he said.

The living stream will include access paths made from compacted crushed limestone through the length of the area for pedestrian and maintenance access.

“The new path will offer visitors the chance to explore the living stream and appreciate the diverse flora and fauna that call it home,” Mayor Milner said.

A selection of approximately 45,000 tubestock plants, including native shrubs, rushes and sedges will be planted along the living stream to enhance the biodiversity of the area.

“I’m eager to see the living stream develop into a vibrant habitat for local wildlife, further enriching our treasured foreshore,” Mayor Milner said.

DBCA Acting Riverpark Manager Michael Shaughnessy said the project would complement and enhance community use of Sir James Mitchell Park with consolidation of turf adjacent to the drain, reprofiling of the banks and the establishment of native vegetation to support urban biodiversity.

The project, which will be implemented in two stages over two years, is due for completion late 2026 and is part of the City’s approach to urban greening.