Sports facilities, road projects drive big capital works program

Some of the biggest spending is for new and upgraded community buildings ($4.6m), sporting facilities ($17.4m), road works ($9.3m) and coastal foreshore management ($3.7m), all catering for existing and growing communities.

Mayor Tracey Roberts said that as Perth’s largest growth city, new facilities not only have to be created in the City of Wanneroo, but existing infrastructure also needs to be upgraded and maintained.

 “A key focus of our budget deliberations has been on more efficient service delivery and sustainable solutions to effectively manage ongoing costs.  

“The result is that this year’s increase in residential rates, averaging just 2.45% across the City, will be the smallest increase in more than a decade. 

“This is despite our rapid population growth that puts pressure on services and the increasing demand for more social infrastructure close to where people live. 

“Of course, due to the significant growth and diversity of the City’s population, these demands on services will continue to increase.

“The City’s budget priorities are a direct reflection of the community themes contained in the newly adopted  10-year Strategic Community Plan 2017/18 – 2026/27, a document built on direct engagement - via surveys, focus groups and forums - with residents and other stakeholders.

“This budget is aimed at delivering a distinctive, prosperous, progressive and diverse City with self-sufficiency in employment, in addition to being inclusive and inter-connected with activated places to live, work and play,” she said.

Highlights of the capital works program include:

Sports facilities

More than $4 million has been budgeted this year for significant sporting facility improvements and traffic management at the Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex.

Heading the major developments is an allocation of $2.1m for new unisex changeroom facilities for the Kingsway Olympic Clubrooms, in addition to male and female toilets, a first aid room, umpire room and external storage.

Also, a $700,000 allocation has been made for a new building at the Kingsway Little Athletics Centre, providing a meeting room, storage and toilets to replace two ageing sheds and a sea container.  

Further development of sporting and recreational facilities at Banksia Grove District Open Space is another top priority this year, with more than $2.8 million set aside for the construction of change rooms and the installation of floodlighting at the Grandis Park ovals. The proposal is for multiple change rooms, umpires room, male and female toilets in addition to a multipurpose hall with kitchen facilities.
Also at Grandis Park, $600,000 has been earmarked for the construction of a first-class skate park facility next to the smaller, rectangular sports ground. 

Roads

Heading major road expenditure in Landsdale and Darch is the $2.3 million upgrade of Mirrabooka Avenue to dual carriageway over 2.6 kilometres from Hepburn Avenue to Gnangara Road.

Another big ticket item is the Kingsway Traffic Management Scheme where $820,000 is set aside for improvements between Wanneroo Road and Ashdale Boulevard to address issues of pedestrian and cycle safety, traffic speed, volumes and congestion.

Major improvements to Flynn Drive are among a host of road projects identified in the budget for suburbs in the Wanneroo East region.

More than $480,000 has been allocated for a new single carriageway on a revised alignment for Flynn Drive, from Wanneroo Road to Tranquil Drive, including street lighting.  The new alignment will allow for a future dual carriageway.  

Parks and open space

Land clearing and earthworks for the Butler North District Open Space development will begin this year with almost $2.5 million allocated in the 2017/18 budget. Construction of playing fields to cater for AFL, athletics, cricket, hockey and soccer as well as hardcourts for netball and tennis along with associated clubrooms will deliver a valuable asset for all residents. 

The regional project – incorporating passive recreational facilities such as an amphitheatre, playgrounds, sheltered barbecue and rest areas – is likely to run over three financial years and ultimately require expenditure of more than $18 million.

Coastal protection

Almost $3 million for long-term coastal protection works, designed to stabilise and widen Quinns Beach, has been allocated for the coming year.  The multi-million dollar project – to be carried out over three years - will add a fourth groyne at Queenscliff Park in addition to extending existing groynes. 

The longer groynes will enable additional sand to be trapped between them, resulting in a wider beach and an improved buffer against erosion during winter storms. The existing Quinns Beach carpark will be retained.  The project includes the design and construction of beach access staircases at Waterland Point with physical works to be undertaken in 2017/18. 

At Sovereign Drive, Two Rocks, $400,000 will be used to create a new beach access to the north, while $200,000 will be spent on dune restoration and fencing at various northern locations.