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#1 · (Edited)
#197 ·
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26349995-5008620,00.html
Iconic Cottesloe Beach set for multi-million dollar upgrade
EXCLUSIVE: Glenn Cordingley
November 14, 2009 06:00pm


BEACHFRONT UPGRADE: Cottesloe Beachfront is set to undergo a multi-million dollar revamp. Picture: Ian Munro

EXCLUSIVE: PERTH'S iconic Cottesloe Beach is headed for a dramatic multi-million dollar makeover.

The finalised foreshore concept plan -- the culmination of three years of workshops and consultations -- has been submitted by Cottesloe Town Council to the State Government for approval.

Planning Minister John Day is expected to make an announcement before Christmas.
A key component of the plan is to remove most of the old car park opposite the Cottesloe Beach Hotel, replacing the bitumen with grass and seating.

"The years of speculation and talk about the future of Cottesloe and its magnificent beach are over,'' Cottesloe Mayor Kevin Morgan said.

Other parts of the plan include:

The rock and grass terraces fronting the beach would be redesigned.

A wheelchair-friendly boardwalk would sit alongside the groyne -- from the existing pathway to the water.

Marine Parade would be dotted with extended alfresco areas and raised pedestrian crossings.
New toilets and changing rooms would be installed and the promenade would be reconfigured from the Indiana Tea House to North Cottesloe.

Access from Marine Parade to the main beach would be enabled via a lift attached or adjacent to the Indiana Tea House.

Extra parking bays would be provided along Forrest St, and the Napier St car park would be redeveloped -- with a second level possibly built.

Mr Morgan also foreshadowed the introduction of pay-and-display ticket machines in Napier St only, which would require a change in State legislation.

"This (plan) has been years in the making and there is no turning back,'' he said. "The concept will take us into a new era and protect and enhance the unique lifestyle of Cottesloe and its iconic stretch of coastline.''

The council last month voted 11/0 to form its own taskforce to calculate the costs and introduce timeframes for the staged works.

It has engaged urban-design consultant Linley Lutton to assist with the implementation. Dr Lutton was the brains behind the planned Bentley Technology Precinct -- Perth's biggest urban renewal project -- and the Dampier Master Plan, which investigated how to make the northwest mining town more liveable.

"People can walk along a wonderful promenade from Eric St to Forrest St from an elevated position,'' Dr Lutton said of the Cottesloe proposal.

"That is one of the main qualities that needs to be drawn out of this entire exercise because of its uniqueness. No places in the metro area have that setting and it is of paramount importance that we use this as the centrepiece of the entire concept.''

He said the current Cottesloe Beach foreshore environment could not continue because "it was falling into disrepair''.

Mr Morgan said the council would get the ball rolling by starting some roadworks, such as building roundabouts, "as soon as possible''.

He estimated the total cost would "run into the tens of millions'' and admitted the project was dependant on State and Federal funding.

But he insisted: "This is not a dust gatherer. This will happen or everything will soon start to crumble.

"The grassed terraces are literally falling down as we speak. There are steel bars holding some of them up.''

Council chief executive Carl Askew confirmed the council would apply for Federal community infrastructure funding before the January 15 deadline.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged the application and said grants of at least$1 million were available to local governments from $120 million in total.

The Cottesloe blueprint is currently being assessed by the WA Planning Commission and a recommendation is expected to be made to Mr Day within six weeks.

"The foreshore plan is part of a local planning scheme, which sets guidelines for future development in the town,'' a WAPC spokeswoman said.

Mr Morgan said he wanted to see the project completed by 2013. He said his council had so far spent about $200,000 on developing the vision.

He said the foreshore improvement plan was first mooted four years ago by local architects commissioned by mining magnate Andrew Forrest.

Those findings were used to develop the latest strategy.

Mr Morgan said the concept builds on Cottesloe's character.

"It won't be like Bondi or Europe,'' he said. "It will value add to the elements that have made this place a magnet for tourists and anyone else who wants to enjoy what is here.''

Cottesloe business lobby group Pro Cott described it as "the single most significant plan in the town's history''.

"We have been waiting for an initiative like this for years because we are very aware that Cottesloe is an international brand and is simply not a place where locals can enjoy the amenities,'' board member Katherine Kalaf said.

Surf Life Saving WA figures show that more than 600,000 people used the beach in 2008/09, which is a major drawcard in state, national and international tourism campaigns.

Premier Colin Barnett this week refused to comment on the concept, even though he is the local MP and lives there.
 
#202 ·
I wonder if this development will get priority for State funds over NB and the Foreshore since it is in an area close to Barnett's heart. (and yes, I know the amount of $ involved is nowhere near the two CBD projects I mentioned) Maybe they can use the Royalty for Regions money for it.
 
#220 ·
Wellard Village Centre
Took these on Saturday :)

The village centre, just imagine the apartments and shops amongst these awesome trees :D


Village Square - future hang out for drunks and bogan teens


Gardens by the square






Looking down to the wetlands


Its too hard to get real trees, so instead they install funky metal ones =D


Looking up to the train station... once again imagine some buildings ;p They will come eventually...


Looking out the mirror down a street (hence the backwardsness)
 
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