The City of Mandurah is encouraging the community to have its say on the proposed plans for Mandurah’s Western Foreshore, designed to further reinvigorate popular public spaces for the community and visitors alike.
At the Mandurah Council meeting on May 28, Council agreed to release the proposed plans for public advertising, including the overarching vision for the area as well as a commercial proposal that would see an estimated $23million private investment in the space with mini golf, a licensed restaurant/microbrewery, café and chocolate factory.
Mayor Rhys Williams said the proposed plans outlined the next steps in transforming some of Mandurah’s most well-used and iconic spaces and encouraged everyone to have their say during the eight-week consultation.
“In 2018 we started a conversation with the community about the overall vision for our Western and Eastern Foreshores, which led to the transformation of our public areas including a competition-level skate park, a world-class adventure playground and the circular pool on the estuary,” Mayor Williams said.
“These new spaces have refreshed some of the city’s most popular spots, and now we’re considering the next phase that will make the Western Foreshore really come to life with a whole new level of activity.
“We’re already seeing positive and impactful benefits for our community and visitors, plus by refreshing our public spaces we’re hoping to encourage private investment, improve economic opportunities and create jobs for our city, ensuring a great future for all.
"Public feedback told us that the Western Foreshore’s commercial areas needed investment, and this led us to an Expression of Interest process to secure the right long-term fit for this iconic waterfront site.
“We received seven proposals, all of which featured a food and beverage offering. In this market, the food and beverage components are an important drawcard in creating the foot traffic for the other commercial elements to work. This is similar to what’s been done at foreshores in Busselton, South Perth and Fremantle, to name a few.”
The City’s draft Western Foreshore Leisure Precinct Plan, which details the proposed overall plans for the area with future usability front of mind, also includes the commercial space on the Western Foreshore which is currently leased by King Carnival.
The Precinct Plan details further public works in the area including new public jetties, an all-abilities paddle launch site, a market square, works to enhance the Mandurah War Memorial and activating underneath the Mandurah Bridge with an amphitheatre space, plus a further commercial opportunity for on-water recreation. There are also spaces for ball sports, a wider boulevard ideal for RSL marching events, new lighting, tree retention and new plants, plus a focus on maintaining community access and connection to the water.
“The Western Foreshore has always been an important place for our community to come together,” Mayor Williams said. “We now have an opportunity to take this space to the next level, plus offer an initial 25-year term for the waterfront commercial space which would provide a variety of options for people to enjoy and create local jobs and training at the same time.”
The community consultation phase is now open via mandurahmatters.com.au, with the City seeking feedback on both the overall Western Foreshore Leisure Precinct Plan and the Western Foreshore Commercial Site Business Plan. Feedback can also be provided by emailing council@mandurah.wa.gov.au
The consultation period closes on Friday, 26 July 2024.
