Balcatta Stirling Local Area Plan - City of Stirling

Hi 

CITY OF STIRLING 1 

BALCATTA-STIRLING LOCAL AREA PLAN 

Brooke

Foreword 

It is my pleasure to present the inaugural plan for the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. This Plan presents a community vision for 

the next ten to fifteen years of the Local Area’s future, and outlines the priorities and outcomes required to realise this vision. 

Over 700 people were involved in the creation of this Plan, including residents, business owners, community groups, and 

State government agencies. Being a shared plan it reflects the priorities of these participants as well as those of Council, 

from which we propose to work together. 

Annual Implementation Plans will be carried out over the next ten to fifteen years to work towards realising the outcomes 

written in this Plan while building upon the existing strengths of the Local Area as we work towards the below vision: 

In the year 2020 the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is a friendly, distinct and attractive place that provides opportunities for community needs and 

desires in a sustainable way. People of any age or culture will be encouraged to interact, make friends and enjoy their local area because they 

can travel around easily and access a great range of amenities in cluding social hubs, community facilities, workplaces and quality parks. 

Balcatta-Stirling Local Area provides a healthy, happy lifestyle. 

Realising the vision of the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Plan is a joint effort. Council has committed to doing what it can, and requests the full 

support of the community in playing its part. We welcome your ideas, comments and questions. More information about the Balcatta-Stirling 

Local Area Plan and how you can be involved is available on the City’s website at http://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/Local+Area+Planning/ via email 

at localareaplanning@stirling.wa.gov.au, or by contacting the City on 9205 8555. 

Councillor David Boothman 

Mayor 

City of Stirling 


BALCATTA-STIRLING LOCAL AREA PLAN

Contents 

FOREWORD............................................................................................................................................................................................................1 

CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................................................................................3 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................................................................................................5 

BALCATTA – STIRLING LOCAL AREA PLAN OUTCOMES TABLE.................................................................................................................10 

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................................14 

2. PLANNING CONTEXT...................................................................................................................................................................................19 

3. COMMUNITY VISION AND VALUES ............................................................................................................................................................37 

4. BALCATTA-STIRLING COMMUNITY ...........................................................................................................................................................48 

5. BALCATTA-STIRLING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................................................................54 

6. BALCATTA-STIRLING HOUSING & BUILT ENVIRONMENT......................................................................................................................58 

7. BALCATTA-STIRLING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................................65 

8. BALCATTA-STIRLING MOVEMENT NETWORK.........................................................................................................................................74 

9. BALCATTA-STIRLING LOCAL AREA KEY OPPORTUNITIES ...................................................................................................................80 



PART1: 

SUMMARY & OUTCOMES 



Executive Summary 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Plan is the first comprehensive, 

community based plan the City of Stirling has produced for this 

locality. The plan has been produced as part of the City’s Local 

Area Planning programme, which provides a local focus by focusing 

on a defined locality. This allows for holistic consideration of social, 

economic and environmental issues and unique opportunities in a 

local area and integrates the outcomes of community engagement 

with the City’s broader strategic objectives. Local Area Planning 

also acknowledges that the City is not uniform in character and 

function and that community values and issues of concern vary 

from place to place. 

The plan presents a detailed profile of the local area and how it 

relates to the wider metropolitan area. This provides the context for 

analyzing potential future direction for the area. The profile 

combines empirical planning research with the outcomes of the 

community engagement process and what the visions for the local 

area are within the community. The plan then instigates achievable 

actions to work towards the realization of the community’s vision. 

The plan also serves as a reference guide and decision making tool 

for the City’s business units, Council, landowners and the 

community; more generally. 

The Local Area 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is a central precinct in the City of 

Stirling, encompassing the suburbs of Balcatta and Stirling but 

excluding those parts of Stirling that are covered by the Stirling City 

Centre project. The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has a fairly diverse 

land use character due to its industrial and residential roles, as well 

as different periods of development. While the northern portion of 

the area consists of the Balcatta Industrial Area, the eastern portion 

consists of infill development and the southern area contains 

Roselea and Princeton Estates, which are both contemporary 

residential estates, built on former agricultural land. The remainder 

of the area consists mostly of low-density 1970’s development. 

There are various community facilities and commercial facilities 

including Northlands Shopping Centre and two other commercial 

centres, five schools, numerous reserves and clubs and sporting 

facilities/associations. The local area is located 10km from the Perth 

City Centre and is increasingly being seen as an inner suburb of the 

wider metropolitan region. Located adjacent to the local area is the 

Stirling Regional Centre, which is a major commercial area within 

the City of Stirling. Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is in itself a major 

employment area, given the presence of the Balcatta Industrial 

Area within it. 

Community Consultation 

The local community’s input has been central to the development of 

the plan. This follows the intentions of the state government’s 

Network City and recognizes that many residents and business 

operators have a keen interest in planning for the future of their 

neighbourhoods. Community input not only allows planning for the 

local area to be more responsive to local needs and opportunities, 

but also aims to build capacity in the local area and the sharing of 

ideas and experiences. 

Community surveys, community forums, youth engagement and 

business engagement were used in the development of the plan, as 

to represent a diverse range of community interests in the process. 

People were also able to submit comments or petitions. The 

surveys sought to reliably measure the values, attitudes and 

priorities of community members and to initiate more in-depth 

deliberation at the community forums. 4,000 resident surveys were 

distributed, with some 586 being returned, thus providing a 



statistically valid representation of views. Specially designed 

surveys were given to youth and businesses and while the 

response rates for these did not yield statistically valid results they 

provide anecdotal insight into various local interests. Two 

community forums were then held to bring representatives of the 

community together to discuss their ideas, concerns and aspirations 

for the area. Discussion then led to the identification of priorities and 

preferences and development of the following vision statement: - 

In the year 2020 the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is a friendly, 

distinct and attractive place that provides opportunities for 

community needs and desires in a sustainable way. People of any 

age or culture will be encouraged to interact, make friends and 

enjoy their local area because they can travel around easily and 

access a great range of amenities including social hubs, community 

facilities, workplaces and quality parks. Balcatta-Stirling Local Area 

provides a healthy, happy lifestyle. 

The Community 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area community is a growing population 

(at 2% per annum), with growth largely attributed to the 

development of new residential estates and infill development and 

population growth is expected to continue. It is also an aging 

population and relatively culturally diverse population with a distinct 

European representation. The area is largely family orientated 

though there is growing trend towards non-nuclear families, with an 

increasing number of first homebuyers and single elderly residents 

in the area. 

The community has been established for many decades and some 

strong social networks exist in the area. The community members 

are particularly happy with the culture and community of the area 

and opportunities that the area presents. The continued 

development of a community, which builds on its strengths and 

diversity is recognised as being of importance and could be an area 

where Council provides guidance and assistance to the Balcatta- 

Stirling community in further strengthening. 

The cultural heritage of the area’s past, as a market gardening area 

and the character that the European residents have given the area 

is similarly of value and it is important that the cultural associations 

are valued and celebrated in the community. It follows that the 

Balcatta-Stirling community generally wished to see only moderate 

levels of change over the next 20 years. There was however a need 

expressed for there to be community hubs, which would provide 

amenities for diverse communities needs and spaces for social 

interaction. Such an area could possibly be developed at Stirling 

Village, Northlands or in the Stirling Civic Precinct. 

The development of recreation and leisure facilities, that allows for 

the enhancement of social connections and provides for diverse 

recreational needs in the community, was also identified as being of 

high priority in the local community. There is high demand for 

facilities in parks such as barbeques, as well as recreation facilities 

such as gymnasiums and aquatic centres, the latter of which was 

identified as the one thing most missing from the local area. The 

City can plan to ensure recreational opportunities are provided for a 

changing and growing population. 

Natural Environment 

The natural environment was also seen to be of value in the 

community and contribute to the local sense of place. The Stirling 

Civic Gardens and various other community parks were identified 

as favourite places, for their environmental value and provision for 

social interaction. The development of parks and reserves, which 

provide high-quality public open space and are ecologically sound, 

was established as the highest priority in the local area. 



Yet the ecological integrity of the Balcatta-Stirling local area is 

under threat. Cedric Grebe and Spoonbill-Shearwater Wetlands, as 

well as various other wetlands in the local area, are subject to 

growing attention for their declining quality caused by acid sulfate 

soils. Bioremediation projects and further study are underway to 

protect these areas and the City will be setting targets for 

improvements in water management. 

Housing and Built Environment 

The development of further dwellings and greater housing diversity 

is another important consideration for the community and presents 

much opportunity for the future development of the local area. While 

the area does have a range of housing types, there is still a need to 

increase housing diversity with two-thirds of housing consisting of 

single detached dwellings located on green-title lots. All the while, 

there are many residents living in one-two occupant households, 

suggesting that older children or existing residents and elderly 

residents could face difficulty in finding suitable housing in the local 

area. There is also a need to provide more housing, particularly 

affordable housing. The community recognises the need for smaller 

and appropriately designed housing to meet such needs. 

Meanwhile, many landowners are seeking opportunities to 

capitalise on the development potential of large lots or R40 zoned 

properties or are interested in seeing some lower density areas 

rezoned to accommodate greater housing density. However, 

support for higher density varies across the local area, with greater 

support for increased density around Stirling Train Station/Civic 

Precinct, north of Amelia Street and directly adjacent to Stirling 

Village. The City has an opportunity to rezone some R20 areas and 

provide more housing around the Stirling Train Station. 

There has been increased interest in developing underdeveloped 

sites over the local area into residential areas, with calls to develop 

East Roselea and the City initiating discussion with landowners 

over the area’s future and with the Department of Environment 

regarding the environmental issues and constraints relating to the 

site. Meanwhile, the Education Department has successfully 

applied to have part of the Balcatta Senior High School site rezoned 

under the Metropolitan Region Scheme to ‘urban’, to allow for 

residential development. As there is more development, there is a 

need to provide infrastructure and the City is currently investigating 

the feasibility and support for undergrounding power in the northern 

part of Balcatta and is working with the community to provide 

comment on whether a substation should be developed at Orr 

Place. There is also value attached to the design of the built form, 

with the need to ensure high-quality built forms to distinguish the 

area and sustainable building design. 

Business Environment 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area contains the Balcatta Industrial 

area and many small commercial centres, which provide local retail 

functions. Over 730 establishments provide approximately 6800 

jobs in the Balcatta Industrial Area, whilst several commercial 

centres throughout the local area provide a further 204 employment 

opportunities. Meanwhile, only 10% of the local resident 5400 

strong workforce, in fact work in the local area. The business 

community is however largely dissatisfied with the business 

opportunities provided in the local area. 

There is much transition however occurring in the economic profile 

of the Balcatta-Stirling area. An increasing number of showrooms 

and mixed business is being developed in the industrial area. In 

recognition of this new trend, the City has prepared and adopted 

the Industrial Areas in Transition Strategy to guide the future 

development of this area. Amendment 492 to District Planning 

Scheme No.2 and two new policies are being proposed to 

accommodate the emergence of showroom development and retain 

a sufficient amount of industrial land, whilst maintaining the 



aesthetic character of the industrial area’s built form, the latter of 

which is also seen to be of value in the community. 

The Stirling Centre Structure Plan Review also has bearing on the 

development and opportunities in the Balcatta-Stirling local area, 

despite its location outside of the local area. This plan is being 

developed to see the Stirling Regional Centre reach its full potential, 

with issues such as appropriate activity mix, transport and intensity 

of development being addressed. There are also opportunities to 

develop the Northlands area as a connected community hub, which 

delivers a variety of district level commercial functions, a mix of land 

uses and diverse local employment opportunities. The community’s 

demands for more cafes/restaurants could also be met by such redevelopment. 

The survival of smaller commercial centres is also 

important and there are opportunities for the City to investigate 

urban upgrades of centres, in recognition of the value of the built 

form of such centres. 

Movement Network 

In relation to movement networks, there are high levels of car 

dependency in the Balcatta-Stirling Local area. While public 

transport is provided, it is limited and infrequent. The community 

has called for the development of a connective, integrated and 

sustainable transport network and the train services and bus 

integration could serve a major role in this area. The City would be 

required to collaborate with the Public Transport Authority to 

provide public transport and could also work with developers to 

provide pedestrian and cyclist facilities, which link with major 

destinations. Local traffic issues particularly along Karrinyup Road, 

parking shortages at Stirling Train Station, inadequate pedestrian 

and traffic safety and poorly maintained streetscapes were also 

identified as points of contention in the local community and is 

something the City would need to investigate further. The 

introduction of the ‘Travelsmart’ project to the City of Stirling offers a 

great opportunity to work with the State government and local 

communities to promote and increase walking, cycling and public 

transport use also. 

Key Opportunities 

The key opportunities, which have been identified from the process, 

include: - 

• Further establishing Stirling Village precinct as a Community 

hub which provides a range of commercial, recreational and 

social facilities; 

• Developing Northlands into a true activity centre; 

• Developing Wanneroo Road into an Activity Corridor with 

mixed use and higher density housing; 

• Developing well-designed mixed use corridors along 

Erindale and Balcatta Roads; 

• Increasing residential density in locations near the Stirling 

Train Station and major activity centres; 

• Protecting wetlands across the local area. 



Balcatta-Stirling Community Vision 

The Balcatta - Stirling Local Area has always been a place of social interaction, where communities develop. It began when ‘bal katta’ was a 

meeting place for Aboriginal people, providing daily needs and spiritual connection. It became a place where new cultural communities could 

flourish, first Chinese, then Macedonian and Italian. It has grown to become a diverse community that in the future will continue to be 

connected and caring. The Balcatta- Stirling community will work hard to be a ‘real community’ that makes time for family, friends and 

neighbours and respects and supports different needs and cultures. The Local Area will have the places, spaces, events and infrastructure to 

support social interaction and community building. 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has always been a place of opportunity, where newcomers can come and have the home they need, or earn a 

living through means that suits the local community’s changing capabilities - from market gardens, to Italian delicatessens to large-scale 

manufacturing. The area will continue to be a place of opportunity – with housing choice for changing needs and new residents, great places 

to run a business and opportunity and choice in transport, leisure and lifestyle. 

In the year 2020 the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is a friendly, distinct and attractive place that provides opportunities for community 

needs and desires in a sustainable way. People of any age or culture will be encouraged to interact, make friends and enjoy their 

local area because they can travel around easily and access a great range of amenities including social hubs, community facilities, 

workplaces and quality parks. Balcatta-Stirling Local Area provides a healthy, happy lifestyle. 



Balcatta – Stirling Local Area Plan Outcomes Table 

Balcatta-Stirling Community Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

Stirling Village Shopping Centre precinct is the centre of the village of Stirling – a community hub with commercial and health services and 

community activities and interaction. 

Outcome 2 

Recreation spaces that provide for a diverse set of leisure needs within the local community, including active and informal recreation for 

different users and age groups. 

Outcome 3 

Remembering and celebrating history and culture of the local area 

Balcatta-Stirling Natural Environment Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

Ecologically sound natural areas and sustainable open space 

Outcome 2 

Key parks across the local area become community social hubs – community parks – with facilities, landscaping and activities that encourage 

social events and community building. 

Outcome 3 

The local community, local business and local government working together towards a healthy environment and 

sustainable future. 



Balcatta-Stirling Built Environment Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

Ongoing opportunities for increasing housing in suitable locations and increased housing diversity to provide for changing community needs. 

Outcome 2 

Attractive and distinctive building design that contributes to local character and strives to be sustainable 

Outcome 3 

Making the best use of existing resources and facilities and the opportunities that the local area has to offer, in a sustainable manner 

Balcatta-Stirling Economic Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

The Local Area has a thriving and sustainable business and economic environment with a variety of successful small and large commercial 

centres, activity corridors, major employment centres and home business. 

Outcome 2 

Balcatta Industrial Area is a successful, innovative and inviting place to work and do business. 

Outcome 3 

Northlands Shopping Centre is a successful mixed-use activity centre with high quality retail, dining, entertainment and housing in an 

attractive, vibrant setting. 

Outcome 4 

Stirling City Centre is a true ‘City Centre’ offering excellent commercial, entertainment, employment, transport and community facilities to the 

Balcatta – Stirling community. 



Balcatta-Stirling Movement Network Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1: 

Residents are choosing more environmentally friendly, healthy and sustainable transport options. 

Outcome 2: 

A Safe and attractive movement network that equitably provides for all different transport users and modes of transport. 

Outcome 3: 

A high quality bicycle and footpath network throughout the local area that links residents to key hubs and facilities – shops, parks, schools, 

work and the train station. 



Part 2: 

Background Study 



1. Introduction 

Introduction 

This Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Plan is the first comprehensive, 

community based plan the City of Stirling has produced for this 

unique locality. The plan has been produced as part of the City’s 

Local Area Planning programme, which provides a local focus and 

encourages integrated planning and management at the community 

level. 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Plan brings together the outcomes 

of a specifically designed community engagement programme with 

the broader strategic objectives of the City of Stirling to build a 

vision for the future of the local area. The plan aims to instigate 

actions and guide decisions that will work towards the realisation of 

this vision. 

The analysis of the local area and the community consultation 

findings are brought together in the final section of each chapter, 

which presents the key ‘desired outcomes’ to be achieved over the 

lifespan of this plan. The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Plan will 

progressively implemented over the coming 10-15 years through an 

annual implementation programme that instigates actions to 

achieve these desired outcomes. Periodic monitoring and review of 

the plan and its implementation will take place and the Balcatta- 

Stirling community will be kept up to date on progress and be 

encouraged to get involved. 

This document presents a detailed profile of the local area - its 

people, its character and its environment; as well as current 

projects and its likely future direction. This profile provides a context 

for analysing what makes this area special, what its future needs 

will be, and how it relates to the wider metropolitan region. 

The community’s input has been central to profiling and analysing 

the area, through the examination of local issues and opportunities 

and the sharing of aspirations for the area. Community involvement 

has also been central to the development of the vision for the future 

of the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area and in the identification of 

priorities issues and actions to bring this vision to fruition. 



Background 

The notion of introducing Local Area Planning into the planning 

system of the City of Stirling was first raised in discussion during 

2004, as an example of a process for reviewing residential density. 

The concept of using the system for more holistic local planning, 

rather than purely for density review, was then explored, and it was 

subsequently included on the list of key strategic planning initiatives 

to be considered as part of a review of the City’s Strategic Plan 

during 2005. Considerable research and analysis on the concepts 

and practice of local-area style planning was subsequently 

undertaken by Council planning staff, to identify options for the City 

of Stirling. Discussions and briefing sessions with Council, 

executive staff and affected business units were also undertaken to 

examine how such a system would operate within the City. 

In October 2005 a Local Area Planning project proposal was 

presented to Council and Council subsequently resolved that the 

objectives of the project and the proposed local area planning 

boundaries be endorsed, and that a Pilot Local Area Planning Study 

be initiated. A pilot project was proposed so that the principles and 

methodology of the process could be tested, before application City 

wide. The Dianella Local Area was chosen as the pilot area, with 

the project conducted in 2006. 

The pilot project in Dianella proved successful, with an effective 

community engagement programme taking place and the City’s first 

local area plan being adopted. This led to Council adopting a roll 

out of the Local Area Planning programme across the City, in 

October 2006, with 2-3 projects to be commenced each year. The 

Balcatta-Stirling Local Area was subsequently chosen as the first 

project of 2007. 

The community consultation phase with the Balcatta–Stirling 

community was conducted between February and April 2007 and 

used a number of techniques to inform, motivate and engage the 

community in the project. The major components of the consultation 

phase included: 

‣ Community Surveys – a postal survey was sent to a random 

selection of 4,000 residents and 200 businesses in the local 

area. 

‣ Community Forums – two large forums were held to bring 

together discussion among residents, business & property 

owners, community groups and other stakeholders. 

‣ Youth Engagement – local youth were consulted through 

surveys and discussions via the Youth Advisory Committee. 

Balcatta Senior High School declined invitations to be 

involved. 

The information gathered from these events was then collated and 

analysed for incorporation into this plan (the key results are 

presented in Chapter 3). In addition to the information gathered 

from community input, considerable research on the local area was 

also conducted to provide information both to the community and to 

this plan. The preparation of this local area plan has also involved 

analysis of a wide variety of documents, plans and policies that 

affect the area, the City of Stirling and the Perth region. The 

resulting plan thus provides a synthesis of strategic planning 

documents and community aspirations. Another integral aspect of 

preparing this plan was working with the City’s business units and 

other relevant stakeholders to discuss local issues, opportunities 

and community priorities to develop widely supported and 

achievable outcomes for the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. 



What is Local Area Planning? 

Local area planning is a contemporary approach to planning that 

concentrates on planning for a defined area, rather than broad 

plans that cover the entire City, or strategies based on individual 

issues. This approach allows a comprehensive range of issues to 

be considered at both the local and regional level and addresses 

these issues through integrated planning strategies. It requires a 

holistic approach to planning which seeks to incorporate 

stakeholders and community members into the planning process in 

a collaborative approach to community building. Local area 

planning is a proactive, rather than reactive, process that enables 

the integration of social, environmental and economic initiatives into 

one plan that guides both the short and longer term direction of a 

local area. 

This method of planning is used extensively in Australia and 

internationally and is increasing in prominence in Western Australia, 

both within local governments and State planning agencies. Local 

area planning is similar to ‘precinct planning’ or ‘place planning’ in 

that it involves preparing a plan for an identified geographical area 

in order to facilitate development, change or better management 

within that area. The size of the subject area can vary – boundaries 

can be defined by a number of criteria, such as land use, character, 

population and identified boundaries. However the size of the area 

selected is based more so on management systems and the 

objectives of the project. 

The local area planning system acknowledges that the City is not 

uniform in character and function and that community values and 

issues of concern can vary from place to place. A focus on smaller 

areas allows local issues and the uniqueness of the area to be 

explored in greater depth, whilst still considering the impact of the 

area’s regional context. The process also enables closer, more 

comprehensive consultation with the local community at the start of 

the planning process, rather than just presenting plans to the 

community and asking them to accept them. More community 

involvement also creates a better exchange of knowledge and 

experiences between the City and its residents and among the 

community itself, thus building better understanding and stronger 

ties. 

Another major objective of local area planning is that it facilitates 

integrated planning - different disciplines and stakeholders working 

together on one plan that addresses many issues or topics. This 

requires stakeholders to share information and their objectives or 

aspirations for the area and enables them to work together to 

develop common goals for the future direction of the area. 

Integrated planning can avoid the conflicts and contradictions which 

can often arise when issues are addressed in isolation to one 

another. The City’s local area plans are not just planning 

department documents, they are strategies, reference documents 

and decision making guides for all the City’s business units, for 

Council, developers, land owners and the community. 

Local area planning in the City of Stirling divides the large 

municipality into smaller localities to enable more fine-grained 

planning, community consultation and management. Twelve 

individual local areas have been identified within the City (shown 

overleaf). Each local area is an area of a manageable size with a 

somewhat similar character that is generally defined by physical 

and identifiable boundaries, such as suburb boundaries, major 

roads, and where appropriate, changes in land use character or 

density. 



The 12 Local Areas of the City of Stirling 



Local Area Planning Principles Objectives 

A set of guiding principles have been established to guide the 

operation of the local area planning project and the preparation of 

each local area plan. These principles are: 

The objectives of the Local Area Planning programme for the City of 

Stirling are: 

Sustainability 

Sustainability requires balancing the current and future needs of the 

community, the environment and the economy to provide quality of 

life for today and tomorrow’s communities. 

Integration 

Local area planning requires an integrated approach to planning 

and management. The process of planning must bring together 

many stakeholders and the product must bring together a 

comprehensive range of issues. Integrated planning enables better 

coordination and more efficient management. 

Communication 

Local area planning is an effective tool for improving the City’s 

communication with the public. Integration and implementation of 

plans will also require strong communication with stakeholders. 

Public Participation 

Public involvement in local area planning is crucial to its success. 

All those with a stake in a local area’s future must be actively 

encouraged to be involved, through collaborative planning. 

Prioritisation 

Local area planning acknowledges that different communities have 

different priorities. Local area plans will recognise, emphasise and 

respond to the key issues identified as community priorities. 

‣ To review key planning issues, policies and forces acting on 

local areas within the City and develop a coordinated 

response to these; 

‣ To identify specific ‘opportunities’ and 'constraints' within 

each local area and develop strategies to address these; 

‣ To develop a commonly embraced 'vision' for each local 

area which recognises areas of local significance and key 

attributes contributing to each area's sense of place; 

‣ To identify issues of priority to the local community and work 

with them to developing practical solutions to these, within 

the context of a regional framework; 

‣ To foster open lines of communication between the City and 

the community; 

‣ To create a sound and comprehensible statutory and 

strategic planning framework for each local area to allow 

delivery of the vision and plan; and 

‣ To help ensure that each local area operates in a 

sustainable way and in balance with surrounding precincts 

and other areas of influence. 



2. Planning Context 

Study Area 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is a central precinct in the City of 

Stirling, encompassing the suburb of Balcatta and most of the 

suburb of Stirling. The precinct is bound by Mitchell Freeway, Reid 

Highway, Wanneroo Road, Morley Drive and Hamilton Street. A 

small south-west portion of Stirling, between Karrinyup Road and 

Stirling Train Station has been excluded from the study area, as this 

area is part of the designated Stirling City Centre – which is subject 

to a separate study. The local area covers approximately 1,080 

hectares and is 10km from Perth city centre. 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has a fairly diverse land use 

character due to its industry and residential roles, as well as 

different periods of residential development. The northern portion of 

the area is covered by a large industrial precinct, the eastern side is 

an infill development area with many medium density units, the 

southern area contains two new waterfront residential estates, 

whilst the core of the area maintains its original 1970s low density 

suburban character. The area also includes a variety of commercial 

and community amenities, including three shopping centres, five 

schools, numerous reserves and a number of recreation and 

cultural facilities. Remnants of the areas agricultural past also 

remain in the area. 

Significant local landmarks include the limestone pinnacles on the 

grounds of Balcatta Senior High School and the redeveloped 

wetland system between Roselea and Princeton estates. 

Key amenities in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area include: 

Shopping Centres 

Northlands Plaza 

Stirling Village Centre 

Amelia Heights Centre 

Major Parks and Reserves 

Richard Guelfi Reserve 

Rickman Delawney Reserve 

Jones Paskin Reserve 

Grindleford Reserve 

Sanderling/Spoonbill Reserve 

Schools 

Balcatta Senior High School 

Balcatta Primary School 

St Lawrence Primary School 

Takari Primary School 

West Balcatta Primary School 

Community Facilities / Clubs 

Community Recreation Centre at Balcatta High School 

Stirling Adriatic Centre 

Chung-Wah Association 

Siciliani Club 

Macedonian Cultural Centre 





Historical Overview 

Aboriginal use and stewardship of land within the City of Stirling 

prior to European occupation is acknowledged by the City. Oral 

and written histories identify that Aboriginal people occupied much 

of the area, and there are numerous registered heritage sites 

across the City that indicate past occupation or that are of cultural 

significance. The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has Aboriginal cultural 

and mythological significance as it was a meeting place, hunting 

place and water source. The ‘Stirling Wetlands’ and ‘Waterway’ 

registered sites which run from Roselea and Princeton, through 

Stirling to Herdsman Lake are recognised mythological sites. Other 

registered Aboriginal sites in the local area include Nugent Street, 

Balcatta Sand Quarry (near Rickman Delawney Reserve), Amelia 

Street (near Canning Street) and at Nightjar Street in Stirling. 

These places are registered with the Department of Indigenous 

Affairs as Aboriginal artefacts have been discovered there. 

The adjoining suburb of Stirling (much which is also part of the 

Local Area) was originally part of Osborne Park, which was 

established as a market gardening area in the late 19 th century, with 

the fertile swampy land being well suited for agriculture. Stirling did 

not become a separate suburb until nearly a century later. 

Agricultural activity in the local area flourished throughout the early 

part of the 20 th Century. Initially the local Chinese population were 

involved in market gardening, yet over time the number of Italian 

immigrants in the area increased and a greater range of rural 

activities, such as poultry farms and piggeries were introduced into 

the local area. The area’s development was also aided by the 

opening of a tramline along Main Street and establishment of the 

Osborne Park townsite as a focal point of activity for the district. 

European occupation of the area was established during the early 

stages of colonisation, with ‘subdivision’ in the 1840s. Two of the 

first land allocations were Perthshire Location AU, which was 

granted to Thomas Walters in 1840 and Swan Location 92 which 

was a grant of 780 acres allocated to Samuel Moore in 1844 then 

sold to John Charles Mews in 1875. The use of the name Balcatta 

was first recorded in the 1870s with Alexander Forrest using the 

name in 1877 and John Mews using the name in 1888. The name 

derived from the local Aboriginal name for the area north of 

Careniup Swamp, “bal katta” meaning ”his hill”. A landowner in the 

area, James Arbuckle, named his house Balcatta as it overlooked 

Careniup Swamp, and a subsequent subdivision in the area was 

named Balcatta Estate. The name was also spelt as ‘Balkatta” and 

‘Balgatta’. The name Balcatta is an important link to the area’s 

indigenous history. 



As Perth’s northern suburbs grew after World War II, agricultural 

activity began to relocate further north as residential development 

progressed rapidly. In the mid 1960s much of Balcatta was rezoned 

from rural to residential and blue-collar workers began to establish 

homes in the area. The establishment of Town Planning Scheme 

No.31 in 1972 facilitated conversion of much of the lower lying rural 

lands into a residential estate of over 1,000 lots. The 1970s also 

saw the establishment of the Balcatta industrial area, following it’s 

rezoning in the Metropolitan Region Scheme. The area is now a 

significant regional industry and employment hub. 

Balcatta’s growing residential population created the need for 

supporting amenities. A number of schools were established in the 

1960s and 70s, including Balcatta High School in 1967. Balcatta 

High School is today recognised on the City of Stirling’s Municipal 

Inventory of Heritage Places. A large community and recreation 

centre (Moir Community Hall) opened at Balcatta High School in 

1980 as the result of a joint project of State and local government. 

Several other sporting and cultural facilities have also been 

established in the area by community organisations. 

Redevelopment in the region also led to the establishment of the 

new suburb of Stirling which was officially gazetted as a suburb in 

1976 to be the home for the City of Stirling’s new administrative 

headquarters and to provide new residential land. Stirling was 

named after Admiral Sir James Stirling, who colonised the Swan 

River and was the first Governor of Western Australia. Subdivision 

of the suburb commenced in the late 1970s and continued 

throughout the 1980s and 90s with small pockets of land still being 

developed today, including Princeton and Roselea Estates. 

Roselea estate was named after the landmark Roselea Nursery 

which was a local landmark for much of the 20 th century. 



Regional Context 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is in a fortunate position within the 

Perth metropolitan region, being located approximately 10km from 

Perth city centre and 5km from the coast. The majority of the City 

of Stirling has traditionally been considered to be part of Perth’s 

middle suburbs, however given the vast outward growth of Perth 

and the location and accessibility of Balcatta and Stirling, they are 

now beginning to be viewed more as ‘inner suburbs’. 

The local area also benefits from its close proximity to the ‘Stirling 

City Centre’, which is directly south of the precinct. Land within 

approximately 1km of the Stirling Train Station is designated as a 

Strategic Regional Centre by the Western Australian Planning 

Commission’s Metropolitan Centres Policy. These are significant 

centres across Perth which should provide for a large range of 

retail, office, entertainment, recreation and community facilities and 

associated employment. Stirling City Centre contains key regional 

facilities such as Osborne Park Hospital, the City of Stirling 

Administration Centre, Stirling Civic Gardens, the train/bus 

interchange, Innaloo Shopping Centre, cinemas and other 

commercial, industrial and employment activity. 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area itself is also a significant regional 

employment hub due to the industrial precinct, which employs 

approximately 5,000 people and includes regional facilities such as 

the City of Stirling works depot and Western Power and Water 

Corporation offices. The large Osborne Park industrial area is also 

in close proximity, abutting the southern end of the local area. 

Osborne Park is a major business, industrial, commercial and 

employment hub for the north metropolitan region. Osborne Park 

also contains a ‘community hub’, along Main Street, containing 

shopping, dining, entertainment and office development and a 

nearby community centre. This hub also services residents of the 

Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. 

The eastern edge of the local area is bounded by Wanneroo Road 

which, under the State’s Network City planning strategy, has 

potential to develop into an ‘activity corridor’ - which is a major road 

with good public transport where activity clusters. The diversity and 

intensity of development along Wanneroo Road is therefore likely to 

increase in the future, possibly with higher density development and 

a greater mix of commercial activities such as offices, dining and 

retail. 

The Karrinyup regional centre is also in proximity to the Balcatta- 

Stirling Local Area. This regional centre is based around Karrinyup 

Shopping Centre, which provides commercial and employment 

opportunities to surrounding suburbs. The centre also provides 

community facilities such as Karrinyup Library and a community 

recreation centre. The suburb of Karrinyup also contains a large 

sports centre, which is accessible to residents of the Balcatta- 

Stirling Local Area. Other major recreation facilities within close 

proximity include Lake Gwelup Reserve and Karrinyup Country 

Club. 

The other areas surrounding the local area are a variety of 

residential suburbs. To the north is the suburb of Hamersley, a 

1980s low-density residential suburb. To the east are Westminster 

and Nollamara, two suburbs previously often considered 

“Homeswest suburbs”, that are now being redeveloped into 

contemporary medium density suburbs. Tuart Hill, to the south is 

also experiencing some redevelopment with infill housing. 



Balcatta-Stirling 

Local Area’s 

Regional Context 



State Planning Framework 

The following review of the principal State government planning 

documents provides an overview of the statutory and strategic 

planning framework that operates within the Perth metropolitan 

region. The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area sits within this metropolitan 

context and the plan for the locality and any future development 

must be consistent with the objectives and requirements of these 

documents. 

State Sustainability Strategy 

The State Sustainability Strategy, released by the Department of 

Premier and Cabinet in 2003, is designed as a whole of government 

strategy to promote sustainability in government, private sector and 

community activities. It establishes a framework of sustainability 

principles, visions and goals across key issues such as urban 

settlements and natural resource protection. This is followed by 

examples and actions for governments, business and community 

members to follow, stressing the need for a triple bottom line 

approach to development which encompasses environmental, 

social and economic sustainability. The local area planning 

programme is a major initiative by the City of Stirling to work 

towards its own mission of ‘creating quality lifestyle and sustainable 

development’. Local area planning encompasses the triple bottom 

line approach and aims to balance community, environmental and 

economic needs. 

contribute to the sustainability and regeneration of existing 

centres and suburbs. 

Create a quality built environment in Western Australia 

through the conservation of cultural heritage, the 

development of quality urban design, creating a ‘sense of 

place’ in new and revitalised areas, and the active 

development of quality public spaces. 

Communities develop through close participation in solving 

their own sustainability issues…to facilitate community 

development ‘bottom-up’. 

State and local governments are acting in unison to realise a 

sustainable future for the Western Australian community. 

Other partnerships with universities, civil society and 

industry are able to creatively resolve sustainability issues. 

Key aims and objectives of the State Sustainability Strategy that 

local area planning can facilitate include: 

The development and application, in consultation with the 

community, of a range of techniques and initiatives that will 

The three interrelated pillars of sustainability 



State Planning Strategy 

The State Planning Strategy (1997) is prepared and administered 

by the Western Australian Planning Commission and the 

Department for Planning and Infrastructure to guide planning, 

development, resource protection and conservation across the 

State. The strategy examines major issues and trends influencing 

the state and sets out a vision for future development. The strategy 

contains five guiding principles – environmental, community, 

economic, infrastructure and regional principles, and details 

strategies and actions under each principle for the State 

government, local government and other agencies to follow. The 

strategy includes numerous criteria that plans should include to 

address these principles and strategies. Some of the criteria that 

are relevant to local area planning include: 

Encourage mixed use development. 

Encourage a range of housing densities. 

Maximise the potential for development near public transport 

routes. 

 

 

Provide a central community focus. 

Ensure that consultation occurs at appropriate stages in the 

planning process. 

Ensure environmental issues are considered in the 

preparation of plans. 

Metropolitan Region Scheme 

The Metropolitan Region Scheme (1963) is the overarching 

statutory planning scheme for the Perth metropolitan region. It 

classifies all land in the region into general zones, such as Urban, 

Industrial or Rural, or into reserves, such as for Parks and 

Recreation or High Schools. The scheme text that accompanies the 

map establishes provisions for development control across the 

region, such as requiring local government schemes to be 

consistent with the broad zonings of the MRS map. 

The Metropolitan Region Scheme map delineates land in the Balcatta-Stirling 

Local Area with zonings including ‘Urban’ (brown) and ‘Industrial’ (purple) 

and reserves land for Balcatta High School (HS). The Stirling City Centre is 

zoned as a ‘Central City Area’ (blue). 



Network City 

In 2004 the Western Australian Planning Commission released 

Network City: community planning strategy for Perth and Peel as 

the new strategic plan for the region, to guide development for the 

next 30 years. The strategy was developed in response to 

anticipated population growth, changing community expectations of 

the planning system, and the need for a more sustainable Perth 

region. The strategy emphasises a need not only for changes in 

development patterns but also in how planning is conducted, 

stressing that ‘the key will be to plan through participative decisionmaking 

at a local and regional level’. The development of the 

strategy was based on an extensive and innovative public 

consultation program, which saw more people than ever actively 

involved in planning for the metropolitan region. 

Accommodate urban growth primarily within a network city 

pattern, incorporating communities. 

Align transport systems and land use to optimise accessibility 

and amenity. 

Protect and enhance the natural environment, open spaces 

and heritage. 

Deliver for all a better quality of life, building on our existing 

strengths. 

Plan with the communities. 

Network City guides metropolitan land use patterns, planning 

activity and decision making. The premise of a ‘network city’ is 

based on reinforcement or development of ‘activity corridors’ (major 

roads with good public transport where activity clusters) and ‘activity 

centres’ (key commercial and employment centres), with land use, 

housing and transport systems developed to support this network. 

Within the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area, Karrinyup Road is identified 

as a ‘secondary activity corridor’ (not of primary importance) and 

the Balcatta industrial area as an ‘other activity centre’ (for industrial 

activity not mixed uses). Nearby activity centres include the Stirling 

city centre, surrounding Stirling train station, and Stirling Central 

Shopping Centre on Wanneroo Road. The plan is however 

conceptual, not prescriptive, and the concept of activity centres or 

corridors could be applied to other suitable centres or roads in the 

local area. 

Other objectives of Network City that are relevant to local area 

planning include: 

The Network City Concept of Activity Corridors and Activity Centres 



Metropolitan Centres Policy 

This Metropolitan Centres Policy is a statutory State Planning Policy 

and provides the regional planning framework to co-ordinate the 

location and development of retail and commercial activities across 

Perth. The policy establishes a hierarchy of different size centres 

across the region and controls the number, location and floor size of 

major retail and commercial centres, including city centre, regional 

and district centres. The policy aims to define and reinforce the 

roles of different types of centres, whether it be major employment 

provision, recreation, entertainment, or daily convenience shopping. 

The policy also guides the development of local commercial 

strategies by local governments. The most recent version of the 

Centres policy was gazetted in 2000, however it is likely that the 

provisions of the policy will be reviewed and modified so that it is a 

more effective tool for implementing the more recent Network City 

strategy. 

State Planning Policy 3.5 Historic Heritage 

Conservations 

State Planning Policy 3.5 Historic Heritage Conservations sets out 

the principles of planning for the conservation and protection of 

Western Australia’s historic heritage. It ensures that places and 

areas of heritage significance are conserved; that development 

does not adversely impact places with significant heritage value and 

that landowners and developers are aware of heritage processes. 

The policy applies in most part to heritage areas, buildings, 

structures and other man made and natural landscapes, which are 

of heritage significance at a State and local level. Heritage 

protection is important for Western Australia’s social, environmental 

and economic prosperity and enhances connection to place and the 

quality of the built environment. 

Metropolitan Transport Strategy 

The State’s Transport Strategy was released in 1995 and aims to 

facilitate an efficient and accessible transport system for the Perth 

region through better co-ordination, integration and efficiency in 

transport and land use planning and management. The strategy 

acknowledges that the dominance of private vehicles in Perth’s 

transport system is likely to continue over coming decades yet 

identifies that changes need to be made to address the high levels 

of pollution, congestion, accidents and costs associated with the 

system. Goals to address these issues include improving and 

promoting walking, cycling and public transport; better land use mix 

and higher densities at strategic locations; and development of 

accessible commercial and employment centres. Since the release 

of the Transport Strategy several more specific plans and policies 

have been developed to implement its goals, such as Bike Ahead, 

Travelsmart 2010 and the Freight Transport Strategy. 

Bush Forever 2000 

Bush Forever is a State Government strategy for the conservation 

of bushland and natural environments across Perth. The strategy 

aims to protect ten percent of each of the 26 different types of 

vegetation complexes originally found on the Swan Coastal Plain, 

and to conserve threatened ecological communities. The strategy 

identifies valued sites across the region that should be reserved, 

maintained or rehabilitated for conservation and/or recreation 

purposes. These sites may be in public or private ownership. The 

Western Australian Planning Commission has also prepared a draft 

State Planning Policy to provide statutory support to Bush Forever. 

There are nine Bush Forever sites within the City of Stirling, 

however none are located in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. 



Residential Design Codes 

The State’s Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) is a statutory 

State Planning Policy that provides the base standards for local 

governments to control residential development. The Codes 

prescribe measures for requirements such as lot size, parking, 

setbacks, open space and building heights, to guide housing 

developers and local governments on what can be approved as 

acceptable development. Some degree of flexibility on these 

measures is however provided through the ‘performance criteria’ 

assessment method, which allows developments to be assessed 

against performance or objectives based statements. State 

legislation requires all local governments to adopt the Residential 

Design Codes and they are adopted through Stirling’s District 

Planning Scheme. The City has also adopted a number of 

residential development policies to strengthen or clarify the 

requirements of the codes, including policies on streetscapes, 

building height and parking. 



City of Stirling Planning Framework 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Plan sits within a broader planning 

framework that operates within the City of Stirling. A range of plans, 

strategies and policies are developed by the City to guide the 

management and development of the City and its inhabitants. Key 

documents include: 

The City of Stirling’s Strategic Plan 2004/-2008 

The Strategic Plan 2004/2008 is the blueprint for what Council 

hopes to achieve and how this will be done over a five-year period. 

The plan incorporates Council’s vision, mission and values and 

guides operational activities through the Key Result Areas of: 

‘Our Community’ – to provide services that meet changing 

community needs. 

‘Our Built and Natural Environment’ – to encourage 

sustainability and enhance choice in the built environment, while 

preserving and enhancing the natural environment. 

‘Our Economic Opportunity’ – to enhance opportunity, choice, 

and prosperity for the community by encouraging sustainable 

economic development of the City. 

Through its Strategic Plan 2004/2008, the City of Stirling also 

ensures that resources are managed effectively and good 

governance is provided for the benefit of the community. 

Local Planning Strategy 

The City’s draft Local Planning Strategy was prepared in 2004 to 

facilitate the review of the current District Planning Scheme and to 

articulate the future direction of development across the City over 

the coming 20–30 years. The strategy covers a comprehensive 

range of topics, such as Population & Housing, Commercial 

Centres, and Community & Recreation Facilities, identifying the 

current situation, key issues, and future trends in each topic. This 

information provides the basis from which to build the Planning 

Scheme and to develop more specific planning strategies. 

District Planning Scheme No. 2 

The District Planning Scheme, which was gazetted in 1985, is the 

current planning scheme controlling development across the City. 

The scheme and the scheme map establish zoning of land, uses 

and development permitted on that land, and development 

standards such as parking and setback requirements for industrial 

or commercial development, and also includes provisions for 

heritage protection and detailed requirements for special precincts, 

including Roselea and Princeton estates. A wide range of policies 

to control development has also been adopted under the scheme. 

The City is undertaking a review of Scheme No.2 and is anticipating 

advertising a new draft Local Planning Scheme No. 3 in late 2007. 

Commercial Strategy 

The draft Local Commercial Strategy covers all commercial centres 

in the City from the large regional centres, to the district, local and 

neighbourhood centres. The strategy identifies objectives for each 

type of commercial centre and guides the planning of these activity 

nodes, including the limitations on expansion, centres that require 

specific action or improvement, and supporting services and 

facilities. The strategy relates to the provisions of the State 

Government’s Metropolitan Centres Policy and also provides 

Council with a basis for decision making for each centre. 



Industrial Areas in Transition Management Strategy 

In response to emerging trends affecting the City's industrial areas 

including increase in retailing from established industrial premises, 

large showrooms seeking to locate in industrial areas, and 

associated traffic and amenity issues, the City has recently adopted 

a strategy to manage and control development within its industrial 

areas. The strategy, covering the City’s industrial areas in Balcatta, 

Osborne Park and Dianella, proposes a containment of showroom 

activity to major roads, an amendment to the City’s Planning 

Scheme to better control development, and design guidelines. 

Housing Strategy 

The City is currently preparing a Local Housing Strategy to guide 

the future development of housing and residential lots across the 

City. The strategy will provide a general overview of housingrelated 

issues and the housing profile of the City and establish what 

changes or improvements are needed in planning schemes and 

policies to provide more housing choice and a more sustainable 

built environment. The housing strategy will also inform any plans 

or decisions for changing residential densities within the City, and it 

will guide consultation and decision making in the Local Area 

Planning project. 

Public Open Space Strategy 

A strategy is currently being prepared to guide the provision and 

management of parks and reserves across the City. The 

development of this strategy involves establishing objectives for the 

amount and location of public open space across the City, an 

inventory and assessment of existing spaces, and guidelines for 

future provision and maintenance. Standards will be established for 

the facilities required, the target size, and catchment areas of 

different categories of open spaces, such as local, district and 

regional reserves. The strategy will seek to balance the objectives 

of efficient management, conservation and quality recreation in a 

sustainable manner. 

Integrated Transport Strategy 

An Integrated Transport Strategy is currently being developed to 

facilitate increased accessibility for all members of the community, 

through resource efficient and sustainable approaches to transport 

planning. Key principles underlying the strategy are reducing car 

dependency, increasing public transport use and increasing 

pedestrian and cyclist amenity. The strategy examines the 

relationship between land use and travel and establishes ways to 

improve access and transport options between homes, workplaces, 

commercial centres and other activity nodes. 

Seniors and Youth Strategies 

The City recognises that different sectors of the community have 

different needs and that specific strategies are needed to 

adequately plan for different groups. The City has adopted a 

Children’s and Youth Strategy and is anticipating finalising its 

Seniors Strategy in late 2007. These strategies will direct the 

provision of specific services and facilities for different age groups, 

as well as look at measures for enhancing quality of life and 

community interaction for these groups. 



Plans and Projects for the Balcatta-Stirling Locality 

Stirling City Centre Structure Plan Review 

The Western Australian Planning Commission’s Metropolitan 

Centres Policy designates a number of key centres across the 

Perth metropolitan region as ‘Strategic Regional Centres’. These 

centres, such as Stirling, Joondalup, Morley and Fremantle, are 

intended to provide for a large mix of retail, office, entertainment, 

recreation and community facilities. The Stirling city centre has also 

been identified in the Commission’s Network City planning strategy 

as a ‘major Activity Centre’ on an ‘Activity Corridor’, which 

reinforces its role as an important centre in the metropolitan region. 

identity for the regional centre. Design options for the area will be 

discussed with landowners and the local community in late 2007. 

The Stirling City Centre includes the Stirling Civic Centre precinct, 

Osborne Park Hospital, the Innaloo Shopping Centre, the Greater 

Union Theatre complex, part of the Osborne Park industrial area 

and some residences. Although adjacent to the Balcatta Local 

Area, the centre will be addressed through a separate project, The 

Stirling City Centre Structure Plan Review. A Structure Plan is an 

integrated land use plan for large urban areas that set out the broad 

environmental, land use, infrastructure and development concepts 

to guide detailed site planning. The City of Stirling has formed a 

partnership agreement with the Planning Commission to conduct a 

detailed review of the last structure plan that was adopted for city 

centre. 

The review provides an opportunity to establish a current, 

comprehensive and robust guiding document to ensure that the 

Centre achieves its full potential, by addressing issues such as 

appropriate mix and intensity of development around the train 

station, the Stephenson Highway road reserve, improving the 

pedestrian and cyclist environment and creating a strong heart and 

Stirling City Centre area 



East Roselea 

The Roselea estate, north of Karrinyup Road between Jones Street 

and Grindleford Drive has developed over the past decade from an 

undeveloped rural and wetland area into a contemporary waterfront 

residential precinct. The development of Roselea and Princeton has 

transformed the character of Stirling and established it as a high 

value residential area. This has led to increasing interest in 

redeveloping the vacant and rural sites adjacent to Roselea for 

residential use. 

The area is zoned ‘Urban’ under the Metropolitan Region 

Scheme, which makes a ‘Rural’ zoning under the City’s 

Planning Scheme inappropriate. 

 

Vesting the whole area as a public reserve would be costly for 

the City, including compensating landowners, rehabilitating 

environmental values, and improving aesthetic qualities. 

A need to ensure any development is well designed and 

coordinated. 

The precinct known as ‘East Roselea’ comprises approximately 35 

hectares bounded by Karrinyup Road, Albert Street, the northern 

perimeter of Grindleford Reserve and the Grindleford drain which 

adjoins the eastern side of the developed Roselea area. The City of 

Stirling has freehold title to approximately 13 hectares in East 

Roselea. The City has held preliminary discussions with 

landowners in the precinct to discuss preferences for the future of 

the area and most landowners have indicated a desire to move 

forward with residential rezoning and development of the area. 

The City has also held discussions with the Department of 

Environment regarding the environmental issues and constraints 

associated with the area, particularly issues associated with the 

removal of peat, acid sulphate soils and a receding water table. 

Council has resolved to initiate a study into the area to provide an 

indication of the likely risks associated with either leaving the land 

undeveloped, or redeveloping the site to a more intensive use, and 

to assess how any environmental risks would be managed if 

redevelopment were to proceed. 

The other issues that need to be addressed before determining the 

future of the East Roselea precinct include: 

 

It is important to identify the community’s vision for the area. 



Industrial Strategy & Amendment 492 Part Rezoning of Balcatta High School 

The industrial areas of the City of Stirling have for several years 

been the subject of increasing commercial interest, resulting in the 

emergence of new large business enterprises of a showroom / retail 

nature and stand-alone offices, as opposed to the more traditional 

manufacturing, processing and warehousing type of industrial 

development. In recognition of this trend the City has prepared and 

adopted the Industrial Areas in Transition Strategy to guide the 

future direction of the City’s industrial areas, principally Balcatta, 

Osborne Park and Dianella. 

To implement this strategy the City is proposing an Amendment to 

District Planning Scheme No. 2 and two new policies for industrial 

areas. Should the proposal be approved by the Minster for Planning 

and Infrastructure, Amendment 492 will introduce a new ‘Mixed 

Business’ zone into the industrial areas of Osborne Park and 

Balcatta. This zone is intended to accommodate the emergence of 

higher intensity showroom type activities seeking to establish on 

major traffic routes. In the Balcatta area, properties along Erindale 

Road and most of Balcatta Road will be rezoned to ‘Mixed 

Business’. New provisions in the Planning Scheme and the Mixed 

Business Design Guidelines will control the type of businesses in 

these areas as well as the aesthetic character of new development. 

It is not however intended that these streets will become shopping 

areas – as retail activity is more appropriate in commercial areas. 

The Education Department has successfully applied to the Western 

Australian Planning Commission to rezone a portion of Balcatta 

Senior High School from ‘Reserve: Public Purpose’ to ‘Urban’, 

under the Metropolitan Region Scheme. This rezoning will facilitate 

the rationalisation (disposal) of land considered to be surplus to the 

school’s needs and the redevelopment of the southwest corner of 

the school site for residential use. The total size of the school site 

is 11.2 hectares, the rezoning covers approximately 7,000m 2 , 

bringing the site down to 10.5 hectares (the standard public high 

school site size is 10 hectares). The Minister for Planning and 

Infrastructure approved the amendment, subject to requirements 

regarding a certain number of trees being retained or transplanted. 

The City’s District Planning Scheme Map must now be amended to 

apply a residential zoning and R-Coding (e.g. R20, R30) to this 

portion of the site, then subdivision may take place. 

The other parts of the Balcatta industrial area will change in zoning 

from ‘Special Garden Industrial’ to ‘General Industrial’ and 

development will be restricted to industrial type activities. New 

industrial development will be required to follow the General 

Industrial Design Guidelines, which seek to improve the aesthetic 

quality of industrial development. The ‘Mixed Business’ and 

‘General Industrial’ zonings will thus provide for different types of 

businesses, and more effectively separate incompatible land uses. 

Approximate rezoning area of Balcatta Senior High School grounds 



Balcatta Underground Power Project Western Power Substation 

The Underground Power Programme is a State Government 

initiative to convert existing residential areas in Perth to 

underground power. Under the programme 50% of project costs are 

subsidised by the State Government with the remaining 50% to be 

provided by the relevant local government. In keeping with the user 

pays principle, Council has resolved that the City’s 50% contribution 

will be fully recovered from the owners of properties that benefit 

from the underground power works. 

The City has put forward proposals in each round of projects 

undertaken by the State and has recently received preliminary 

approval by the Office of Energy for the proposed Balcatta project 

area as a round four project. The project area encompasses the 

majority of the northern portion of Balcatta between Amelia Street 

and Delawney Street and is scheduled to commence in late 2008. 

Prior to formal adoption of the project the owners of all affected 

properties will be surveyed to determine the level of community 

support and the willingness of owners to contribute the required 

50% funding payment. 

Western Power has purchased lot 51 (HN 7) Orr Place, Stirling for 

the future development of a substation to service the electricity 

needs of the immediate locality. The City has been advised that 

because of increasing electricity demand and population increases, 

Western Power anticipates that a number of additional substations 

will be required across the Perth Metropolitan Region in the coming 

years. Western Power states that due to increasing residential 

power use, for things such as air conditioning, heating and home 

entertainment the service area of a substation has dropped to 

around 4km, thus creating a need for more substations within 

developed areas. Western Power stated “to ensure a reliable power 

supply in the local area, the substation must be located in the Odin 

Drive vicinity”. Western Power’s alternative to additional substations 

is increasing the voltage capacity of transmission lines to existing 

substations or turning power off to an area for a period. 

A large number of residents in the locality are strongly opposed to 

the substation development and a Special Electors Meeting of 

Council was held in December 2006 for residents, Council and 

Western Power to discuss the proposal. Residents made it clear to 

Council that they are very concerned about the amenity of the area 

in terms of the potential health hazards and the appearance of the 

proposed substation and they asked for Councils assistance in 

dealing with Western Power and investigating alternatives. 

Proposed Balcatta project area for the State underground power project 

Council and City staff have advised Western Power they would like 

to further discuss the proposal and look at more suitable sites in the 

locality for the substation. It is anticipated that the substation will be 

required by 2015, and communication will continue in the 

meantime. However the City is not the approving authority for such 

development, it can only make a recommendation to the Western 

Australian Planning Commission, if/when a development application 

is made. 



Spoonbill Lakes Bio-remediation Model 

A large portion of the chain of wetlands that cover the metropolitan 

region is located within the City of Stirling, particularly in the 

suburbs of Gwelup, Stirling and Herdsman. Over the last decade 

there have been increasing concerns over the impact acid sulphate 

soils have had on wetlands and water quality and the City has 

undertaken significant research into comprehending the nature of 

acid sulphate soils, the extent of their occurrence, their impact on 

waterways, and methods for remediating acidified or contaminated 

soils and water. Wetlands in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area have 

been affected by such problems and the City is developing a bioremediation 

model in collaboration with Edith Cowan and Curtin 

Universities for Spoonbill Lake. The bio-remediation model will 

seek to establish an effective method for rehabilitating the lake, 

which may then be used for other wetlands experiencing similar 

problems. 

Local Area Public Open Space Plan 

Development of parks and reserves in the locality will be guided in 

the future by the City’s forthcoming Public Open Space Strategy. 

This strategy will be used to guide an inventory, assessment, and 

classification of all reserves in each local area, with a subsequent 

plan for the future management and development of the reserves 

being prepared. A review of public open space in the Balcatta 

Local Area will commence following the adoption of the City-wide 

strategy. This review will facilitate the development of a public open 

space plan to guide the development of facilities in parks and 

reserves in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. The plan will also 

identify specific parks which are considered appropriate locations 

for developing ‘Community Parks’ – these are medium sized parks 

in accessible locations which will be developed with facilities and 

landscaping to encourage social activities and community 

interaction – such as BBQ’s, toilets and shade shelters. The 

proposed plan will be advertised for community input. 

TravelSmart 

An innovative travel behaviour programme has recently been 

introduced to the City of Stirling. TravelSmart is a WA communitybased 

program that helps individuals, schools and workplaces 

make smarter choices about the way they travel. The programme 

uses a range of different projects to promote alternatives to car use 

and encourages people to swap one or two of their weekly car 

journeys to a smarter, more sustainable form of transport, such as 

walking, cycling, public transport or car-pooling. Being TravelSmart 

has a number of benefits, including increased physical activity and 

fitness, more activity in local communities, less traffic, saving petrol, 

decreased pollution and less greenhouse gas emissions. 

A range of different TravelSmart programmes, with residents, 

workplaces and schools are currently being initiated across the City. 

Schools in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area can be assisted by the 

City’s TravelSmart officer to set up a ‘Walking School Bus’ or 

develop their own school-specific plan, whilst companies and other 

workplaces can also be assisted to develop a Green Transport Plan 

for their workplace. 

Follow My Lead 

The City of Stirling launched the ‘Follow My Lead’ walking group 

project in 2006. This community-based programme is designed to 

increase the physical activity levels of residents whilst also 

encouraging responsible dog ownership in the local community. 

‘Follow My Lead’ aims to get City of Stirling residents of all ages 

walking both for exercise and social interaction, where local 

residents meet up for regular walks at a nearby reserve. The 

programme also encourages people to bring their dogs along as 

well, although dog ownership is not necessary to join a group. 

‘Follow my lead’ walking groups are set up at various parks and 

reserves around the City and there are currently two walking groups 

operating in the Balcatta-Stirling locality. 



3. Community Vision and Values 

Community Engagement Process 

One of the key objectives of the state government’s Network City 

planning strategy is to ‘Plan with communities’. Network City 

recognises the importance of involving local communities in 

planning for the future of their locality. This is emphasised in Priority 

Strategy No.8, which aims to: 

Plan for local places to develop identity and pride, and to 

increase social and cultural capital, by engaging the 

community in decision making. 

The City of Stirling also values the importance of ‘planning with 

communities’. The City recognises that many residents and 

business operators have a keen interest in planning for the future of 

their neighbourhoods, and that fair and balanced planning is best 

delivered through the active involvement of those it affects. The 

local area planning programme was therefore introduced to provide 

the City with an effective method for working together with local 

communities to create clear and achievable visions for each locality. 

The programme also aims to improve communication and 

information sharing between the City and the public, thus producing 

plans that will be widely supported by the public and also improving 

community bonds. 

The community engagement phase is a major element of each 

Local Area Planning project. It is conducted at the start of the 

project for each local area, prior to the local area plan being 

prepared, so that community priorities and values will form an 

integral part of the plan. In this way the City seeks to move away 

from the traditional model of community consultation, which 

involves merely advising people of planning proposals, to 

encouraging participatory and collaborative planning. 

The community engagement process for the Balcatta-Stirling Local 

Area Planning project was carefully designed to encourage the 

community to take part in planning for the future of their area. A 

variety of methods were used to design, promote and conduct 

consultation which provides a number of opportunities for a broad 

range of community members and stakeholders to take part. This 

included surveys specifically for residents, business owners and 

youth, and two community forums. People were also able to submit 

written or email comments, suggestions or petitions. 

Community Surveys 

The community engagement programme for the Balcatta-Stirling 

Local Area commenced with surveys of different elements of the 

local community, including residents, businesses and youth. The 

surveys sought to reliably measure the values, attitudes and 

priorities of community members across a range of topics and 

issues relevant to the development of a local area plan. As the 

surveys are the first stage in the consultation process, they were 

also used to raise awareness of the Local Area Planning Project 

across the community and engage people in the project. The results 

of the surveys are also used as a starting point for more in-depth 

deliberation, through community forums. 



The resident survey was the largest of the three surveys 

undertaken, with 4,000 questionnaires being posted out to a 

random selection of residents within the local area. This random 

selection ensures that sufficient volume and diversity of residents is 

contacted, in order for the results to adequately represent the views 

and values of the community. A total of 586 resident surveys were 

returned which provides a reliability of +/-5 at 95%, meaning that we 

can be 95% confident that the results are no more than 5% different 

to the results that would have been received if the entire population 

of 15,000 was surveyed. The demographic information recorded in 

the responses indicated a good representation of the wider 

community was achieved. 

Specifically designed surveys were also given to a selection of 

businesses and ‘under 18’s’ within the local area to gauge the 

values and priorities of the sectors of the community. Whilst the 

response rates to these surveys were not high enough to be 

considered ‘statistically valid’ in terms of the number of people 

contributing, the responses are still valid and have provided an 

insight into the priorities of these groups. 

Community Forums 

Two community planning forums were held to bring representatives 

of the community together to discuss their ideas, concerns and 

aspirations for the local area. The forums were open to all members 

of the Balcatta-Stirling community including residents, property 

owners, business proprietors, resident groups and community 

organisations, as well as other stakeholders such as state 

agencies. The forums were promoted though the community 

surveys, direct mail and public advertising to attract a diversity of 

interests and demographics that represented the wider community. 

Two identical forums were held on Saturday morning 10 th March 

and Thursday evening 15 th March, with a total of 120 people taking 

part. 

Community consultation experts, Estill and Associates, were 

engaged to assist in designing and conducting the forums. Each 

forum included presentations by the City, four themed sessions lead 

by Estill, facilitated discussions in small tables, feedback between 

the tables, and a reflection session. Participant’s comments and 

ideas were recorded individually and also in a ‘table worksheet’ that 

recorded the key themes and priorities that participants at each 

table agreed upon. The four sessions of each forum were based on: 

1. Community Vision: 

My/our group’s vision of the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area in 20 

years time. 

2. Priorities and Preferences: 

What’s most important in planning for movement and 

transport; buildings and land uses; activity centres and 

community hubs; and recreation and public open space. 

3. Community Building: 

How community members could be involved in achieving their 

vision for the future of the area. 

4. Reflections: 

Reviewing your vision, my/our group’s top three priorities for 

the local area, and rating of satisfaction with the forum. 



Community Engagement Findings 

Analysis of each public submission and each consultation process 

was undertaken to identify the key themes, issues and values of the 

local area community overall, including majority held opinions, 

issues or concerns for a particular group or area, and individual 

ideas and aspirations. A comprehensive summary of the community 

consultation findings are presented under the following five 

headings, with emphasis placed on themes or issues that were 

most commonly supported. 

Community Values 

Community engagement was used to identify the core values of 

local residents and stakeholders - how they feel about the area, 

what’s important to them for the future and are there commonly 

shared values that can be considered ‘community values’? 

The survey demonstrated that residents of the Balcatta-Stirling 

Local Area are quite happy with the area overall. When asked to 

rank their satisfaction with the area as a place to live on a scale of 1 

to 9, 79% of respondents gave a score of 6 or more, with only 6% 

giving a ‘dissatisfied’ rating (3 or less). Analysis of all consultation 

indicates that the most pleasing aspects of the Balcatta-Stirling 

Local Area were its community and culture and the lifestyle and 

opportunities that the place offers. Satisfaction also comes from 

education facilities, transport facilities and safety and security of the 

locality, although various comments were received for improvement 

in these areas. 

The area’s great location, with close proximity to workplaces, a train 

station, shopping facilities and the coast, also contribute strongly to 

people’s satisfaction with living in the area. However business 

operators only reported reasonable levels of satisfaction with the 

local area as a place to run a business. Youth however were 

generally satisfied and think they would probably like to stay living 

in the area in the future. 

Overall, how satisfied are you with the Local Area as a place to live? 

1% 1% 

3% 

7% 

13% 

20% 

27% 

14% 13% 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Very dissatisfied Reasonably satisfied Very satisfied 

How distinctive do you think the character of the area is at the moment? 

2% 

3% 

6% 

16% 

20% 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

No discernable character Moderately strong character Very distinctive character 

17% 

21% 

5% 

9% 



Residents feel that the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has a 

reasonable level of uniqueness that distinguishes it from other 

localities. Survey respondents identified ‘the people’ of the area as 

most heavily contributing to its character, particularly cultures, age, 

ethnicity, and household types. Natural elements such as front 

gardens and verges also help to define the local identity, whilst the 

built form (architectural style, density) and the general feeling / 

vibrancy of the area were not identified as strong elements. The 

majority of survey respondents did not have a high demand for 

developing a stronger local character and there was no clear 

consensus on what elements are most important for doing this. 

However, through discussion it became clear that community forum 

participants would like a higher quality built form with more 

distinguishing residential design and more appealing commercial 

and industrial areas, to make the area more distinctive. 

There were also many special places identified within the locality. 

The survey and forums clearly identified Stirling Civic Gardens 

(abutting the southern border of the local area) as residents’ 

favourite place in the locality, due to its good facilities and 

appearance and large open space. Several other parks and 

gardens across the local area were also identified as ‘favourite 

places’, particularly larger reserves with sporting and active spaces 

such as Jones Paskin, Rickman Delawney and Sheldrake 

Reserves. The new residential estates of Princeton and Roselea 

are also valued by many across the local area for their combination 

of modern housing, waterways and parkland. The community also 

highly values places in the locality that provide community 

amenities and access to services and employment, including 

Stirling Village shopping and medical centre, the industrial/business 

area, Balcatta Senior High School and Stirling Train Station. 

Issues and Concerns 

The community consultation identified what concerns individuals 

had about the local area and what the key issues are for the City of 

Stirling, or others to address. These range from simple concerns to 

complex issues, and some matters may require further investigation 

and a multifaceted approach to resolve, where possible. 

One of the strongest themes to emerge from consultation findings 

was ‘improving and enhancing the movement network’. This 

includes a variety of concerns and requests for improving road 

conditions to slow traffic and make some streets safer for all users; 

improving the appearance of the road network with verge planting 

and maintenance; and providing more opportunities for other users 

in the movement network through more foot/cycle paths and a safe 

and attractive environment for current and potential pedestrians and 

public transport users. 

Whilst a number of roads in the area are of particular concern to 

some residents, such as intersections on Karrinyup Road and traffic 

on Jones Street, when asked to prioritise, the majority of survey and 

forum participants chose improving services and facilities for the 

train, buses and walking as more important than improving driving 

conditions. A major concern was parking at Stirling train station or 

providing better bus access, whilst there is strong demand generally 

for more non-car based transport infrastructure, including bus 

shelters, seats, paths and bike racks. 

Another key area of concern for residents was improving parks and 

reserves in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. The main concern here 

was with lakes or wetlands, as residents were concerned with 

current decreasing water levels and water quality. Yet the 

community demonstrated a strong desire to see the overall 

environmental quality of reserves improve, with native plantings and 

functional plantings (e.g. shade trees, fruit trees), sustainable water 



management and fauna habitats. There is also a strong demand for 

improving facilities in parks and increasing recreational facilities 

within or around the locality. This ranged from more seats and 

barbeques in parks to a strong demand for a pool or aquatic centre 

nearby, and more facilities or spaces for youth to recreate. 

Other places in the local area of which the community would like to 

see improved are the vacant service station at Stirling Village 

shopping centre as well as the Northlands shopping centre precinct. 

The general appearance, parking, the tavern area and the range of 

shops and commercial activities at Northlands were identified as in 

particular need of improvement. There is also some demand for 

improvements to the waterways and traffic in Roselea and 

Princeton Estates, particularly among those who live in or around 

the Estates. Many across the community would also like to see the 

appearance and use of the East Roselea land improved. Opinions 

appear split however on whether it should be redeveloped with 

housing or mixed use, or whether it should be parkland with more 

public recreation. 

Housing and the ageing population are two related areas of concern 

for the community. When asked to consider future housing needs 

48% of survey respondents, and many forum participants, said 

there was not enough housing for retired people. There is also a 

desire to ensure sufficient support facilities for seniors, such as 

aged care, transport and recreation. Many residents also feel there 

is insufficient housing for low-income earners and first home 

buyers, and the sustainability of current housing is also an issue. 

There is a strong community desire for housing form to change to 

be more unique, more interesting and more resource efficient. 

Another issue of concern for some in the community was safety and 

security. Although generally people are ‘reasonably satisfied’ with 

safety and security, there are some concerns with burglary, 

antisocial behaviour and graffiti. Residents desire is for the future of 

the area to be a safe and inviting place to live, walk around, and for 

children to play. 

How do you feel about the facilities and conditions for the following 

types of transport options in the Local Area? 

Cycling 

Walking 

Car Parking 

Driving 

Train 

Bus 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 

Poor Fair Good 

Overall, how do you feel about the safety and security of the area? 

3% 3% 

8% 

21% 

27% 

21% 

11% 

3% 2% 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Very disssatisfied Reasonably satisfied Very satisfied 



Opportunities and Ideas 

The community consultation and public suggestions have gathered 

a wealth of information on opportunities and ideas for the future of 

the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. These findings can be grouped into 

a number of themes which illustrate the key opportunities for 

achieving the community vision for the future. Some of the most 

common or innovative suggestions are listed below each theme. 

‣ Developing community hubs with social places and 

recreation spaces 

A key theme for the vision of the future of the Balcatta-Stirling 

Local Area is for there to be a strong community which has the 

facilities, spaces and events that support interaction and social 

development. There is strong demand for more social spaces and 

events in the area, such as cafes, barbeques, parties and fairs, both 

to socialise with friends and family and to meet neighbours and 

make new ties. Many people see that the Stirling Village area - with 

shops, a medical centre and adjoining parkland, has the potential to 

become a ‘community hub’, a busy yet friendly place with shops, 

services and social spaces that is the heart of the community. 

People would also be encouraged to walk and cycle to these hubs 

creating more opportunities for interaction and increasing safety 

and enjoyment. 

There are also many opportunities for parks and recreation spaces 

to further develop as community hubs where people can exercise, 

recreate and socialise. There is some demand for an aquatic centre 

to be located near the local area, yet this recreation demand could 

also be met by other suggestions such as community parks, places 

for children to play and learn, and youth meeting places and active 

facilities such as courts or skate ramps. 

‣ Developing stronger and more dynamic activity centres 

It was recognised that the major ‘centres’ in the local area, 

particularly Northlands shopping centre and Balcatta industrial area, 

have not reached their full potential and more businesses, business 

diversity, improvement strategies, beautification and changes in 

planning controls were all suggested to help make these centres 

more successful and appealing places. Key suggestions were: 

Can the Balcatta industrial area become a showcase business 

and employment centre that generates innovation and business 

growth? 

Can Northlands shopping centre area become an attractive 

activity precinct with a variety of shops, cafes, al fresco dining, 

markets and a modern pub? 

Can we have a major centre that is attractive and vibrant, with a 

variety of facilities and activity during the day, evening and 

weekends and that is inviting to all cultures and age groups? 

‣ Becoming a more sustainable community that makes the 

best use of facilities and resources 

There are many opportunities for community members and the City 

of Stirling to contribute to the sustainable future of the local area. 

Many in the community want to see things like less car use and 

water recycling, yet also recognise the importance of making better 

use of the great facilities already in the area, such as parks and 

schools. Popular ideas from the forums included: 

Can we make better use of parks and, with more facilities or 

some social events to encourage us to go there more often? 

Can we have a shuttle bus linking to the train station and 

shopping centres? 



Can we have areas to garden together and continue the market 

gardening heritage of the local area? 

Can we have places for learning and interacting with nature? 

e.g. rehabilitate Spoonbill Reserve and wetland and include an 

interactive centre. 

Can we work towards becoming a carbon neutral local area? 

‣ Building and utilising community capacity 

Community capacity refers to the skills, knowledge and capabilities 

of people within a community that can be harnessed to exploit 

opportunities and address problems. The Balcatta-Stirling 

community has much capacity to achieve its own goals and can 

work individually, in groups and in conjunction with the City of 

Stirling or other organisations to achieve the vision for the future. 

Some ideas and suggestions from within the community are: 

Be active participants in the community; support community 

events, local businesses, local groups and join community 

associations. 

We can start our own interest and social groups, such as a 

resident’s association or a nature group. 

We can increase communication with the City of Stirling and our 

Ward Councillors. 

We can develop and celebrate our community by having bbq’s, 

parties, fetes, concerts and ‘get involved’ events. 

We can improve our connection to our place and to each other 

by helping each other out, welcoming new residents, 

neighbourhood watch, sharing history and beautifying our area. 

We can each contribute to becoming more sustainable by 

driving less, being ‘waterwise’ and conserving resources. 

‣ Increasing housing choice and improving housing design 

The local area contains a large amount of older houses on large 

lots, whilst the locality is an excellent location within the Perth 

region and has a good level of public transport, local employment 

and public amenities. Given that there is community concern for 

the sustainable growth of Perth and for provision of housing for the 

local community, especially seniors and first home buyers, there are 

opportunities for increasing the amount and range of housing in the 

Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. There was considerable support in the 

community forums and surveys for increasing residential density 

around the train station, along major roads and surrounding key 

commercial precincts in the local area. Most forum participants also 

agreed that having a greater range of densities and lot sizes across 

the local area would provide the opportunity for different housing 

types, sizes and styles to meet the varied future needs of the 

population. Many in the community also felt there was a number of 

opportunities for improving the design of housing, both to make the 

locality more attractive and unique yet also to make houses more 

energy and water efficient. 

How do you feel about the amount and range of housing available 

to meet the community’s future needs? 

Housing for low income earners 

Housing for large families 

Retirment villas or villages 

Apartments and flats 

Small dwellings 

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 

Too Much About Right Not Enough 



Community Priorities 

In order to implement the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Plan and to 

consistently work towards achieving the vision for the future, it is 

essential to identify what actions and ideas are most important to 

the community and what issues need to be addressed first. It is also 

necessary to identify what can realistically be achieved in a short 

term time frame and what actions require longer term investigation 

or implementation. This requires acknowledging that not all ideas 

can be achieved, rather efficient planning requires selecting the 

proposals that have the most support, are the most needed in the 

local economy, community or environment, or will have the most 

significant impact or benefit. To assist this process the community 

engagement process has been used to identify community priorities 

- issues or actions that are important to the largest amount of 

individuals, sectors of the community, and the collective community. 

The community survey asked participants to consider how much 

they would like to see the area change over the coming 20 years. 

The response reflected other findings that showed residents are 

quite happy with the area at present, yet have desire for some 

changes and improvements over time. 73% of survey respondents 

wanted to see moderate change to the local area over the coming 

20 years. When asked how they would like to see improvements 

funded, 60% supported redirecting funds from services or projects 

that they felt were less important to the local area and 37% were 

also supportive of waiting until proposals could be budgeted for. 

The community survey also identified other community priorities for 

future development. Leisure and lifestyle appear to be a high 

priority for residents, with many requests for a pool, cafes, 

restaurants or sports facilities. Improving the appearance of the 

area in various locations, particularly road medians, verges, parks 

and wetlands is also important to the community. 

How similar do you want the Local Area to be in 20 years time? 

3% 

1% 

4% 

13% 

30% 30% 

12% 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Exactly the same Moderate change Totally different 

What is the one thing missing in the area that you would 

most like to see? (Survey respondents Top 5 requests): 

1. Swimming pool 

2. Cafes or restaurants 

3. Recreation/sport centre or facilities 

4. Specialty shops, deli or markets 

5. Bus stops/services or cycle/footpaths 

What places in the local area are most in need of 

improvement? (Survey respondents Top 5 requests): 

1. Roads, verges, medians, footpaths 

2. Parks, reserves, wetlands 

3. Northlands shopping centre precinct 

4. Roselea Estate & east Roselea area 

5. Disused service station at Stirling Village 

1% 

6% 



The two community forums for the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area were also designed to identify community priorities. Participants considered and 

discussed a range of issues and individual ideas throughout each forum and at the conclusion of the forum were asked to list their three most 

important priorities for the future of the local area. Participants then discussed with their table groups what was most important to them and, 

where possible, chose three ‘table priorities’ which they agreed upon. The graph below illustrates what issues were the top priorities for 

community forum participants, shown for both the highest proportion of individuals and the highest proportion of table groups. The graph shows 

five clear priorities that were agreed on at many tables, the environmental quality of parks and reserves being the highest, with community 

hubs, more housing, more leisure facilities and better activity centres being equally supported. These can be considered ‘agreed community 

priorities’. These issues were also the top priorities when looked at from an individual participant’s perspective. Further examination of these 

issues and their relative importance to the community is undertaken overleaf. 

1. Environmental quality of parks and reserves 

2. Develop community hubs 

3. Increase residential density 

4. Increase park/recreation facilities 

5. Improve amenity of commercial/industrial areas 

6. Connected community, with more events 

7.Improve walking/cycling facilities 

8. Improve bus services 

9. Good quality residential design 

10. Diversity and culture in the community 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 

Individuals 

Tables 

Top 10 Priorities for Tables and Individuals at the Forums 



Analysis of all community input has identified a list of issues that are 

the most important to the most people. Given that the consultation 

findings can be considered an accurate representation of the wider 

community’s opinion, the follow list can be considered the top 

community priorities for the future of the Balcatta-Stirling Local 

Area. 

1. Environmental Quality of Parks and Reserves 

Having attractive, high quality public open space is the highest 

priority for the Balcatta-Stirling community. This includes 

rehabilitating the wetland system and developing ecologically 

sensitive reserves that are water-wise and have native plantings. 

These reserves will be a source of Balcatta-Stirling community pride 

and reconnect people with nature and history. 

2. Recreation and Leisure 

The high value placed on open space is linked to the importance of 

leisure in the community’s lifestyle and the desire to use recreation 

activities to bring different members of the community closer 

together. There is a high demand for increasing facilities such as 

barbeques, seats and lights in parks so that more social activity will 

occur, yet high demand also for recreation facilities such as gyms, 

sports and aquatic centres and a strong desire to ensure youth and 

seniors have adequate recreation facilities. 

3. Community Hubs 

The third highest priority for the Balcatta-Stirling community is the 

development of one or a number of ‘community hubs’. The 

precincts surrounding Stirling Village and Northlands Shopping 

Centre and the Civic Precinct based around the City of Stirling 

complex have the potential to become community hubs with a 

range of amenities for community needs and social interaction. 

(See Opportunities and Ideas page. 40 for more details). 

4. Housing 

The fourth community priority is increasing quality and diversity in 

residential density, housing types and styles to cater for the needs 

of the population, especially retirees. The majority of the community 

support some higher density around activity hubs and transit areas, 

with the remaining residential areas ranging between R20 to R30. 

However ensuring new development is of a high standard in terms 

of attractive appearance, local character and environmental 

efficiency is also a high priority. (See Opportunities and Ideas p. 41) 

5. Connectivity and Sustainable Transport 

The community would like a movement network that better 

connects all types of transport users to local community amenities 

and that encourages transport that is physically active, socially 

interactive and environmentally sustainable. This includes 

increasing the coverage and frequency of bus services, supporting 

the use of the train station such as more parking or a shuttle bus 

and improving the bicycle and footpath network. 

6. An Holistic Community 

People knowing and supporting each other and becoming like an 

extended family with community groups and events. The community 

will respect its culture and diversity and its children and seniors. 

7. Sustainability and Conservation 

Be a leading ‘green area’ with conservation of nature, water and 

energy, sustainable building design and reducing car use, that also 

makes best use of residential land and existing facilities. 

8. The Function and Amenity of Key Centres 

Redevelop Northlands to a modern area with more diversity of 

shops and amenities and retain and strengthen the industrial area 

which is very important for employment and business. (See 

Opportunities and Ideas p. 40). 



Vision for the Future of the Local Area 

Developing a commonly embraced community vision for each Local 

Area across the City of Stirling is a principal aim of the Local Area 

Planning programme. The vision incorporates key community 

values and priorities, what makes the locality special, and what the 

area will look and feel like in the future. The community vision is 

established to guide future planning and decision making for the 

local area over the lifespan of the Local Area Plan and to set out an 

agreed path for the City of Stirling and the local community to work 

towards. 

‘Community Visioning’ was a major element of the community 

planning forums for the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. Participants 

considered their personal vision of what the area would be like in 20 

years time and also discussed their views within their group to 

identify some agreed elements. A number of themes can be 

identified from analysis of this input and when considered against 

other elements of the community forums and findings of the 

community survey, the following community vision has been 

established: 

Balcatta-Stirling Community Vision 

The Balcatta - Stirling Local Area has always been a place of social 

interaction, where communities develop. It began when ‘bal katta’ 

was a meeting place for Aboriginal people, providing daily needs 

and spiritual connection. It became a place where new cultural 

communities could flourish, first Chinese, then Macedonian and 

Italian. It has grown to become a diverse community that in the 

future will continue to be connected and caring. The Balcatta- 

Stirling community will work hard to be a ‘real community’ that 

makes time for family, friends and neighbours and respects and 

supports different needs and cultures. The Local Area will have the 

places, spaces, events and infrastructure to support social 

interaction and community building. 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has always been a place of 

opportunity, where newcomers can come and have the home they 

need, or earn a living through means that suits the local 

community’s changing capabilities - from market gardens, to Italian 

delicatessens to large-scale manufacturing. The area will continue 

to be a place of opportunity – with housing choice for changing 

needs and new residents, great places to run a business and 

opportunity and choice in transport, leisure and lifestyle. 

In the year 2020 the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is a friendly, 

distinct and attractive place that provides opportunities for 

community needs and desires in a sustainable way. People of 

any age or culture will be encouraged to interact, make friends 

and enjoy their local area because they can travel around 

easily and access a great range of amenities including social 

hubs, community facilities, workplaces and quality parks. 

Balcatta-Stirling Local Area provides a healthy, happy lifestyle. 



4. Balcatta-Stirling Community 

Community Profile 

The key defining characteristics of the Balcatta-Stirling Local 

Area community are that it is a growing population, an older and 

aging population and a relatively culturally diverse population 

with a distinct European representation. At the time of the 2006 

Australian Bureau of Statistics Census the combined population 

of the suburbs of Balcatta and Stirling was 16,530 people. The 

population of this local area has grown by a total of 6,000 people 

over the last 30 years, with 1,600 people in the last 5 years and 

the current growth rate is 2% per anum. The local area is 

currently experiencing an above average growth rate for an 

established area, particularly due to the development of the new 

housing estates in Stirling (Princeton and Roselea) and infill 

development in the medium density area to the east of Balcatta. 

The average age of residents in Balcatta-Stirling is 38 years of 

age and 16.4% of the population was aged 65 years or older in 

2006. The median age and the proportion of seniors is higher 

than City of Stirling or metropolitan Perth averages, this 

combined with the lower proportion of children (15.8%) and the 

increase in median age and seniors since the 2001 Census, 

indicates both an older and an aging population in the local area. 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has a comparatively high 

proportion of residents that were born overseas and from non- 

English speaking backgrounds. 40% of all residents in 2006 

were born overseas and unlike many places in Perth where the 

majority of immigrants come from the UK and New Zealand, the 

highest level of immigrants come from Italy (9%) with Greek, 

Macedonian, Croatian and Vietnamese born people each making 

up between 1% and 4% of the local area population. Only 0.7% 

of the population identified themselves as Indigenous Australians 

in 2006. 35% of all residents in the local area speak a language 

other than English at home with Italian, Macedonian, Croatian, 

Greek and Chinese dialects the most common other languages. 

Although 9% of the population were born in Italy a total of 14% of 

residents speaks Italian at home. This exemplifies the value of 

many in the local area to maintain their cultural and family 

connections. The diversity in culture is not however reflected in 

religious affiliation, as approximately 80% of the total population 

is Christian. Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism only 

constitute less than 1% of the population for each religion. 

The local area would be considered by many as a family area, 

however it has a range of different household types with nuclear 

families only making up 32% of all households. This is consistent 

with averages across most areas of Perth and Stirling, where the 

proportion of couples without children and people living alone 

has been increasing for many years. 61% of all housing in the 

local area has no more than two occupants, with a large proportion 

of dwellings in Balcatta having only one occupant. The high 

proportions of seniors, and the increasing number of first home 

buyers in the local area, is contributing to this trend. 



Key Characteristics of the Local Area’s Population 

2006 Census BALCATTA 

LOCAL AREA 

CITY OF 

STIRLING 

PERTH 

REGION 

Population 16,530 176,867 1.44 million 

Population growth rate (p/a) 2% 0.9% 1.7% 

Median age 38 years 37 years 36 years 

Aged 65 or over 16.4% 15.2% 12% 

Aged 14 or under 15.8% 16.5% 19.5% 

Born overseas 40% 32% 31% 

Speaks 2 nd language at home 35% 20.6% 18% 

Average dwelling occupancy 2.5 people 2.4 people 2.5 people 

Nuclear family households 32% 23% 30% 

Lone person households 26% 32.8% 23% 

Tertiary education (over 15s) 32% 37% 36% 

80+ 

75-79 

70-74 

65-69 

60-64 

55-59 

50-54 

45-49 

40-44 

35-39 

30-34 

25-29 

20-24 

15-19 

10-14 

5-9 

0-4 

5% 3% 1% 1% 3% 5% 

Males Females 

Age-Sex Distribution of the Local Area Population 



Community Amenities 

Shopping Centres 

Northlands Plaza 

Stirling Village Centre 

Amelia Heights Centre 

Major Parks and Reserves 

Richard Guelfi Reserve 

Rickman Delawney Reserve 

Jones Paskin Reserve 

Grindleford Reserve 

Sanderling/Spoonbill Reserve 

Schools 


Balcatta Primary School 

St Lawrence Primary School 

Takari Primary School 

West Balcatta Primary School 

Community Facilities / Clubs 

Community Recreation Centre 

at Balcatta High School 

Stirling Adriatic Centre 

Chung-Wah Association 

Siciliani Club 

Macedonian Cultural Centre 



Community Issues & Opportunities 

A Social, Friendly and Supportive Community 

The Balcatta-Stirling community has been established for many 

decades and there are some strong social connections and support 

networks within the community, particularly within key cultural, 

religious and business groups. However the community is growing 

and changing over time and many new and older residents would 

like to feel connected to a strong community. A key priority 

identified through community consultation was ‘people knowing and 

supporting each other and becoming like an extended family.’ The 

community forums demonstrated that the community has much 

capacity to achieve its own goals. The City of Stirling, Councillors 

and existing community organisations can work with the local 

community to develop social capacity. The City provides many 

social support services and cultural and leisure facilities which local 

residents can make better use of. Partnerships and support could 

also be harnessed for developing new community groups, holding 

social events and celebrating local culture and history. 

Recreation and Leisure 

The Community consultation findings have emphasised the 

importance of leisure in the community’s lifestyle and the desire to 

use recreation activities to bring different members of the 

community closer together. There is a high demand for increasing 

facilities in parks so that more social activity will occur, yet also high 

demand for recreation facilities such as gyms, sports and aquatic 

centres to support active lifestyles. The demand for facilities is also 

linked to the community’s desire to ensure youth and seniors have 

adequate recreation opportunities. The City needs to appropriately 

plan and promote recreation facilities so that funding is equitably 

spread across localities and between different interests and age 

groups, to ensure all people have access to a healthy lifestyle. 

Community Hubs 

A key theme for the vision of the future of the Balcatta-Stirling Local 

Area is a strong community with the facilities, spaces and events to 

support interaction and social development. Stirling Village precinct 

has been identified as a valued part of the local area providing both 

community amenities and social interaction in a friendly 

environment. The precinct already has popular commercial 

facilities, a medical centre and adjoining parkland, yet is surrounded 

by vacant, inactive and unattractive sites, including the old service 

station, a bland car park, vacant land and housing that does not 

connect the precinct. This area has the potential to be further 

established as a ‘community hub’ that has a level of vibrancy due to 

the activity in the area, yet also has appeal as a social meeting 

place. An urban design/improvement strategy is needed to improve 

the public spaces, and high quality development is needed around 

the shopping centre. There are also many opportunities for parks 

and recreation spaces to further develop as community hubs where 

people can exercise, recreate and socialise. The creation of hubs at 

Northlands and Stirling Village would require the commitment of the 

centres’ owners. 

Stirling Village could be a more inviting and social precinct 



Arts and Culture and Heritage 

The culture and heritage of the local area and its residents are 

highly valued by the community. The locality has important heritage 

in its Indigenous past and its role in the early development of Perth. 

Cultural and heritage aspects also include its rural and market 

gardening past, and the character and contribution the Italian, 

Macedonian, Croatian and Greek residents have given the area. 

The wetlands of the locality are one unifying theme in the area’s 

heritage as they were important for Aboriginal people as well as 

Chinese, then Italian, market gardeners. The local area also 

contains many important cultural associations and facilities which 

have been operating in the area for many decades, such as the 

Chung Wah Association, the Stirling Adriatic Centre, the Siciliani 

Club and the Macedonian Cultural Centre. These facilities are of 

regional importance to ethnic communities dispersed across the 

inner and northern suburbs. It is important to these groups and the 

wider community that the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area’s history and 

culture is recognised, valued and celebrated. Cultural, art and 

heritage projects and events are something the City of Stirling and 

community can work together on. 

Safety & Security 

Safety and security is an issue of concern for some in the 

community, whilst others value the level of security they feel in the 

local area. Although community consultation found that generally 

people are ‘reasonably satisfied’ with safety and security, there are 

some concerns with burglary, antisocial behaviour and graffiti. 

Recent statistics show the local area as having comparable crime 

rates to surrounding areas, yet burglary rates would be a concern to 

some and can cause a feeling of insecurity for some residents and 

business owners. Whilst crime or safety were not identified as major 

problems or top priorities for improvements, residents desire is for 

the future of the area to be a safe and inviting place to live, to walk 

around, and for children to play. 

The community plays an important role in local safety and security 

and must continue to report suspicious activities, crimes and 

problems to the City’s security service or police. The City must also 

promote the services it offers to residents and businesses and 

ensure its security patrols have a visible presence in the area. 

Ensuring the local area is a safe place to live into the future also 

includes designing parks and public places to be safe, inviting and 

well lit, and also managing traffic and transport so that streets are 

safe for all users and people feel comfortable to walk and cycle in 

the area. 

Stirling 

Balcatta 

Hamersley 

Nollamara 

Osborne Park 

Vehicle Theft 

Graffiti 

Burglary 

As sault 

0 5 10 15 20 

Average Monthly Reported Crimes 2006 



Community Outcomes to Achieve 

Desired Outcome for the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area 

Outcome 1 

Stirling Village Shopping Centre precinct is the centre of the 

Stirling “village” – a community hub with commercial and 

health services and community activities and interaction. 

Outcome 2 

Recreation spaces that provide for a diverse set of leisure 

needs within the local community, including active and 

informal recreation for different users and age groups. 

Outcome 3 

Remembering and celebrating history and culture of the 

local area 

Examples of current or potential actions to achieve this outcome 

Investigate owners’ willingness to carry out a Local Centres Urban 

Design Study and improvement strategy for Stirling Village and 

Northlands Shopping Centre. 

Encourage redevelopment of the derelict service station site. 

Investigate opportunities for better physical and social connection 

between Stirling Village and Spoonbill-Shearwater Reserve. 

Remediate Spoonbill-Shearwater wetland and develop the reserve as 

a community hub, with opportunities for social events. 

Rezone vacant Residential and Civic land adjoining Stirling Village to 

encourage office, café, mixed use or medium density housing. 

Rezone R20 pocket adjoining Stirling Village to encourage a small 

higher density node, with lots fronting Spoonbill-Shearwater Reserve. 

Promote greater community use of existing community and 

recreational facilities. 

Promote shared use of school and private recreation and social 

 

facilities, such as with organisations within the East Roselea area. 

Promote quality organised activities within the area for young people to 

recreate in existing or new facilities. 

Investigate recreation and leisure opportunities in the Stirling City 

Centre project, such as the importance of Stirling Civic Gardens or 

other new spaces for recreation. 

Plan for changing recreation and leisure needs as the population grows 

and demographics change. 

Promote the ongoing use of existing aquatic facilities within the region. 

Identify and acknowledge past and current heritage sites and buildings 

(e.g. tours, site markers). 

Acknowledge and promote Indigenous heritage, such as a wetlands 

 

walking trail. 

Celebrate and promote the cultural communities within the local area. 



5. Balcatta-Stirling Natural Environment 

Natural Environment Profile 

The Balcatta-Stirling local area was once characterised by a chain 

of wetlands running through to Herdsman Lake, and the influence of 

this feature has remained strong throughout its development. These 

wetlands were used by Indigenous inhabitants prior to European 

settlement, and as development of the area increased, the moist 

soils provided fertile grounds for market gardening. Whilst the area 

remained one of the last major market gardening areas within the 

City, the landscape has changed again through different uses, most 

recently significant residential development. Despite the rapid 

urbanisation of the area, the wetlands that remain continue to be a 

central aspect of the area’s identity today. 

Cedric Grebe and Spoonbill-Shearwater wetlands, as well as those 

running through the Princeton and Roselea estates, have come to 

attention in recent years due to their declining quality, which can 

largely be related to the acid sulfate soils prevalent in the area. 

Bioremediation projects, and further investigations into the affects of 

acid sulfate soils, are underway in an attempt to protect these 

valued sites. 

There are over 50 open space reserves of various sizes ranging 

from pocket parks to large public reserves within the Balcatta- 

Stirling area. Different types of reserves provide opportunities for 

sports, play, relaxation and socialising. The Civic Gardens, though 

on the periphery of the local area, form a strong focal point for the 

local community. 

Wetlands are an environmental feature of the locality 

Civic Gardens is very popular with Balcatta-Stirling residents 



Natural Environment Issues & Opportunities 

Environmental Sustainability 

The Balcatta-Stirling community expressed a keen concern for the 

sustainability of their local area, particularly in terms of its 

environmental wellbeing. Many of the factors which must be 

addressed to improve the sustainability of the area, such as water 

management, climate change and biodiversity, are discussed 

below. 

Ecologically Sound Parks and Reserves 

Community consultation revealed a strong desire to develop 

ecologically sensitive reserves that are water-wise and have native 

plantings. These reserves will be a source of Balcatta-Stirling 

community pride and reconnect people with nature and history. 

Balcatta-Stirling community members suggested that ecologically 

sustainable open spaces could be achieved through native 

plantings and functional plantings (e.g. shade trees and fruit trees), 

sustainable water management and fauna habitats. 

Community Parks 

Community parks, civic gardens and shared open space are highly 

valued by the Balcatta-Stirling community. They are valued as 

places for leisure and education, and strengthen the community by 

providing a shared space for working together and socialising. 

The possibility of areas for gardening together and continuing the 

market garden heritage of the local area was raised during 

consultation as a possible future use of some community parks. 

Another priority was providing places for learning and interacting 

with nature. Spoonbill Reserve, for example, was suggested as a 

site for wetland rehabilitation, complemented by educational 

features such as interpretive signage. 

Water Quality and Conservation 

Residents of the Balcatta-Stirling local area expressed their concern 

with the decreasing water levels in local wetlands. Spoonbill- 

Shearwater and Cedric Grebe wetlands to the east of the local 

area, and the wetlands running through Roselea and Princeton 

estates, which once formed part of a wetland chain through to 

Herdsman Lake, have all been effected by lack of rainfall as well as 

quality concerns. 

The City joined the International Council for Local Environmental 

Initiatives (ICLEI) Water Campaign in July 2007, and through this 

initiative is undertaking a full investigation into its water 

conservation and quality requirements. The City will be setting 

targets for improvements within both community and corporate 

sectors, and will be producing and implementing an action plan to 

address many of the water issues facing the Balcatta-Stirling 

community and the City as a whole. 

Acid Sulfate Soils 

Acid sulfate soils affect the entire area of the City of Stirling, but the 

Balcatta-Stirling local area has come under particular focus, 

primarily in terms of water quality in wetlands and around the 

Princeton and Roselea estate areas. 

Acid sulfate soils are created when iron sulfides in waterlogged soil 

sediments are exposed to air, which causes these sulfides to 



oxidise and become acid sulfides. When the soil is disturbed and 

acid sulphides produced, the acid moves through the soil, affecting 

soil water, ground water and eventually surface waters. The effects 

to an area’s biodiversity can be severe, with soil becoming 

inhospitable to plants and water becoming too acidic for 

aquatic plant and animal life. 

Climate Protection 

Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) is a greenhouse gas reduction 

initiative of the ICLEI. The City of Stirling became a programme 

partner in 2000, one of over 180 Australian councils now 

participating. The programme involves setting targets for 

greenhouse gas emission reductions, and reaching a number of 

milestones towards the target. It also involves a number of 

Advancing Action Projects, typically in areas such as sustainable 

public lighting, purchasing and procurement, and transportation. 

The City is also a participant in the Carbon Neutral Program, and 

plants 15,000 trees each year to offset the emissions of the entire 

vehicle fleet. This ‘offsetting’ is based on the capacity of mature 

trees to absorb or ‘sequester’ carbon emissions from the 

atmosphere. 

Meeting the challenge of climate change requires community action 

as reductions in residential and transport greenhouse gas 

emissions will have a considerable impact on climate protection. 

Reducing automobile use, purchasing more efficient products, 

considering renewable energy sources such as solar power and 

solar hot water systems, and turning lights and switches off when 

not in use are simple ways community members can make a 

valuable contribution. 



Natural Environment Outcomes to Achieve 


Outcome 1: 

Ecologically sound natural areas and sustainable open 

space 

Outcome 2 

Key parks across the local area become community social 

hubs – community parks – with facilities, landscaping and 

activities that encourage social events and community 

building. 

Outcome 3 

The local community, local business and local government 

working together towards a healthy environment and 

sustainable future. 


Ensure the sustainable provision of public open space and 

infrastructure in areas of change to reflect proposed density changes 

Undertake the ICLEI Water Campaign for water conservation and 

quality 

Prepare and implement a Public Open Space Strategy 

Remediation projects for local wetlands 

Public open spaces are vegetated with water wise and native plants 

Review the role of Stirling Civic Gardens as part of the Stirling Public 

Open Space Plan and the Stirling City Centre Review 

Develop a Balcatta – Stirling Local Area Public Open Space Plan 

Facilitate a strong sense of community ownership through 

opportunities for residents involvement in activities such as community 

gardening, barbecues and social events 

Identify opportunities for community involvement in public art 

Hold community education workshops such as Great Gardens to 

improve water efficiency and sustainable gardening practices 

Promote greenhouse gas emissions reductions for residents, Council 

and business through the Cities for Climate Protection programme 

Examine opportunities for developer contributions for public open 

space 

Work in partnership with environmental protection agencies in 

initiatives such as Carbon Neutral 

Provide school students with opportunities to learn more about their 

natural environment and become environmental stewards for their 

area. 



6. Balcatta-Stirling Housing & Built Environment 

Housing Profile 

In 2006 there was approximately 8,000 dwellings in the Balcatta- 

Stirling Local Area, including all occupied and unoccupied housing 

types, in the two suburbs combined. The local area contains a 

reasonable range of housing types and styles due to different 

periods of development, from pre 1950s up to today, and due to 

differences in zoning and lot size in the area. The central and 

northern areas of Balcatta still contain much of the housing 

developed in the late 1960s to 1970s on 700-800m 2 lots. 

Meanwhile, surrounding this area are new large two storey houses 

in the Princeton and Roselea Estates, and generally single storey 

units from the 1990s onwards east of Main Street. The influences of 

Italian immigrants is evident in both the original and contemporary 

dwellings, yet there is no consistent theme that unifies the area. 

Approximately two thirds of housing in the local area is low-density 

single houses on green title lots, with the remaining one-third being 

medium density unit/group dwelling style development usually on 

strata title lots. Only 1% of total housing stock in the area is high 

density housing, with a very small number of older apartment blocks 

across the area. There are also a variety of household types in the 

local area, with fairly equal proportions of nuclear families (32%), 

couples without children (30%) and single occupant (26%) 

households. There is an average of 2.5 persons living in each 

dwelling, with apartments, and small strata housing generally 

containing 1-2 occupants and larger households and families living 

in the larger houses of the area. However many of the larger 

houses also have only 1-2 occupants as well. 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 

45% 

40% 

35% 

30% 

25% 

20% 

15% 

10% 

5% 

0% 

Apartments Units & Stratas Single Houses 

Lone 

person 

2 person 3 persons 

or more 

Nuclear 

families 

One parent 

families 

Local Area Housing and Household Types 



Couples 

w ithout 

children 



Housing Market 

The built environment of the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has been 

affected by the recent housing boom in Western Australia and 

Perth. The housing boom has impacted not only housing prices, but 

also housing and land demand and the demographic structure of 

households in the local area. Between 2002 and 2007 housing 

prices in Balcatta more than doubled and nearly tripled in Stirling. 

Balcatta housing values have kept in line with Perth averages, 

however property prices in Stirling now far outstrip Perth averages, 

largely due to development of Princeton and Roselea estates and 

the area becoming an exclusive estate. Whilst Balcatta has become 

a very attractive location for first homebuyers, who are no longer 

able to afford suburbs closer to the City or the coast, Stirling is 

becoming an elite estate for established families and baby 

boomers. 

The housing market in the local area is in some conflict with the 

housing needs of the population, with limited housing supply for 

older children of existing families to buy their own home or for 

seniors in the area to move into a smaller and affordable dwelling. 

Balcatta does however contain 7% State housing, which is slightly 

above average. The housing boom has also increased the rate of 

infill and new development, with many property owners and 

developers seeking to capitalise on the development potential of 

large lots and/or R40 zoned properties. Many other owners are also 

interested in rezoning lower density areas to capitalise on current 

record high land values. 

$700,000.00 

$600,000.00 

$500,000.00 

$400,000.00 

$300,000.00 

$200,000.00 

$100,000.00 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Median House Prices 2002 – 2007 

Perth Metro 





Cultural Heritage 

The City of Stirling has a number of tools to recognise and protect 

the cultural and architectural heritage of localities across the City. 

The Balcatta-Stirling area has a rich heritage and cultural make-up, 

however much of its architectural references to the early stages of 

development in Perth have long since been demolished. The City 

uses plaques known as heritage site markers to identify historic 

locations which may be a possible tool for acknowledging the local 

area’s past. Artworks or other forms of recognition may also be 

used to distinguish and celebrate the cultural heritage of the area. 

The City maintains a Heritage List and a Municipal Inventory of 

Heritage Places to record significant places. Balcatta Senior High 

School is recognized on the City’s Municipal Inventory as a unique 

building in the local area and it is currently being assessed by the 

Heritage Council of Western Australia for possible state heritage 

listing, which will give the building a high level of protection. Another 

unique building in the locality, a 1970s dwelling on Hanworth Street 

Balcatta has also been identified as having local heritage 

significance on the City’s Municipal Inventory and its degree of 

protection will be reviewed as part of the City’s current review of the 

Municipal Inventory. 


76 Hanworth Street Balcatta 



Built Environment Issues & Opportunities 

Infill Development and Housing Diversity 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has both the need and opportunity 

to increase housing supply and diversity. Environmental, resource 

and infrastructure issues, combined with the current housing boom 

are creating increasing demand for infill housing across Perth, 

where larger lots are subdivided and additional housing is built. 

Whilst there is capacity for approximately 2,000 additional dwellings 

if all R40 zoned lots in Balcatta are redeveloped, there are also 

opportunities and demand elsewhere in the locality for additional 

housing. Some larger and older properties could be rezoned to 

bring more people closer to important facilities, such as the train 

station, Northlands District Centre and employment at Balcatta 

Industrial Area. Redevelopment of parts of the area also provides 

the opportunity for increasing housing diversity to meet the 

changing demographics of the area. The community recognises the 

need for smaller and appropriately designed housing for the aging 

population and first homebuyers, particularly where residents would 

like their children to be able to stay living in the area. 

Sustainable Building Design 

The sustainability of the current built form in much of Perth is a 

significant issue and many in the local community are concerned 

with the direction of the local area. The increasing size of houses, 

and the lack of consideration for energy (heating, cooling and 

lighting) and water use in building design, is producing 

unsustainable buildings. There is strong demand, and a clear need 

for the City of Stirling to work with the development industry to 

address these issues. Recent changes to building legislation in 

Western Australia is requiring more energy and water efficient 

buildings, however some members of the local community would 

like to see the City of Stirling taking more of a lead. In supporting 

rezoning of parts of the local area, many residents would like to see 

this tied to a requirement for ecologically sensitive, resource 

efficient, design. 

Current Housing Capacity in Balcatta-Stirling 



Local Identity 

Network City strategy 3.3 stresses the importance of ‘providing 

places with distinctive qualities, and with a role and a purpose, that 

differentiates them within the city.’ This relates to the concept of 

“Local Identity”, where it is recognised that sustainable and satisfied 

community’s have a pride of place and a unique identity, based on 

the appearance, feel or other characteristics of a location. The 

Community Survey identified that the people themselves provide 

the most unique character to the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area, yet 

many in the forums would like architecture to be bolder or more 

distinctive to other areas, to give the locality more identity. The high 

value of the natural character of the area is also evident in 

community findings. Protecting, promoting and encouraging local 

character, through celebration of culture and history, and through 

building on the quality and uniqueness of the natural and built 

environment is an important part of a successful future of the 

Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. 

Better Use of Vacant Land 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area has been progressively 

transformed over the last 40 years from a rural area to a suburban 

area. Parcels of vacant land still exist. Sustainability and efficiency 

principles encourage making better use of underitilised resources or 

land. This does not mean using up all resources or overdeveloping, 

rather minimising waste and maximising the use of existing 

infrastructure or amenities. As the local area has a high standard or 

existing infrastructure (transport, water supply etc) and community 

amenities (parks, schools, shops) it is important to make efficient 

use of land. There are opportunities to rezone some lots to develop 

housing, such as the earmarked portion of Balcatta High School, 

the vacant site next to Stirling Medical Centre and the substation 

site lot on Orr Place. The future of the East Roselea precinct also 

needs to be determined, as there is much under-utilised land. The 

environmental issues and community desires need to be carefully 

considered and plans made for better use of the land, whether that 

is public recreation, housing, or a mix of uses. The community is 

interested in all these options to improve the precinct, however 

environmental issues must be resolved. 

East Roselea is under-utilised 

Increasing Land-Use Mix and Activity 

Network City also encourages increasing land-use mix and activity 

within local areas. This means having shops, recreation facilities 

and employment close to housing (land use mix) so that people will 

be encouraged to walk more and drive less. It also means that there 

are more people outside shopping, dining or recreating (increased 

activity). Local residents are in close proximity to employment in the 

industrial area and in Innaloo/Osborne Park. However some 

increased diversity and levels of activity within the locality would 

support community priorities of less car-use, a friendly environment 

and an ‘alfresco lifestyle’. The City should continue to support low 

impact home business, and encourage more diversity and activity 

within and around Northlands and Stirling Village shopping centers. 



Built Environment Outcomes to Achieve 


Outcome 1 

Ongoing opportunities for increasing housing in suitable 

locations and increased housing diversity to provide for 

changing community needs. 

Outcome 2 

Attractive and distinctive building design that contributes 

to local character and strives to be sustainable. 

Outcome 3 

Making the best use of existing resources and facilities 

and the opportunities that the local area has to offer, in a 

sustainable manner. 


Rezoning of some R20 zoned residential areas to provide for additional 

housing and a greater range of housing styles and sizes (see map). 

Allow and promote a balanced mix of smaller dwellings including one 

and two bedroom dwellings. 

Investigate measures to encourage a proportion of affordable housing 

development within all medium and large-scale developments. 

Encourage attractive and active streetscapes, through high quality 

housing and other buildings fronting streets, attractive fencing, street 

trees, footpaths, awnings and some areas of mixed-use (commercial and 

residential) for instance. 

Investigate incentives or policies to improve energy and water efficiency 

of new and established housing and other buildings. 

Start an awards or promotion programme to encourage a high standard 

of contemporary housing design and sustainable building design. 

Implement measures of the City’s Housing Strategy (when adopted) to 

promote the development of universal design housing and other 

measures to accommodate aging in place and disability access. 

Encourage additional housing in walking distance of Stirling train station, 

Northlands and (to a lesser extent) Stirling Village shopping centres. 

Provide opportunities for redevelopment of some large lots and older 

dwellings through rezoning strategically appropriate locations. 

Investigate opportunities to make better use of vacant land in the East 

Roselea area, including its suitability for housing development. 

Encourage the redevelopment of vacant sites and buildings, such as the 

vacant service station at Stirling Village and the proposed substation site 

on Odin Drive. 

Continue to work with schools, sporting groups and other associations to 

encourage public use of recreation and community facilities. 



Potential Rezoning 

Locations: 

R40 & R30 near Stirling 

train station - between 

Cedric Street & Princeton 

Estate. 

Restricted Business, R80 

& R40 immediately 

around Stirling Village 

centre (appropriate lot 

layout to be determined). 

R30 near Northlands 

shopping centre between 

Wanneroo Rd, Delawney, 

Jones & Amelia Streets; 

and Between Amelia, 

Canning & Ida Streets. 

R25 North of Amelia 

Street between Cedric & 

Jones Street. 

R25 ‘Urban’ zoned area 

of Balcatta High School. 

Vacant Rural site corner 

on Orr Pl rezone to R25 

to encourage housing. 

R30 to provide uniform 

zoning in southern corner 

of Odin Dr (below Stirling 

Grove Reserve). 



7. Balcatta-Stirling Business Environment 

Economic Profile 

Employment, Education and Income Profile 

There are 5,400 residents from the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area who 

participate in the workforce, which constitutes 33% of the population 

of this area. This figure does not however capture the full number of 

people who work in the area and there are many businesses in the 

Balcatta Industrial Area, which provide local employment to people 

who live in, and outside of the local area. The retail industry is the 

most common employer of local residents, with 18.5% of the local 

labour force being employed in this sector. A further 12% of the 

labour force is employed in property services. 10.5% of the labour 

force is employed in manufacturing, while a further 10.5% is 

employed in construction. This is largely consistent with the 

employment distribution over the rest of the metropolitan area, 

although the proportion of those employed in retail and construction 

is greater in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area. Residents work in a 

variety of locations with 10% working within the local area, another 

10% working in Osborne Park/Stirling Regional Centre, 35% in 

Perth/inner-city areas and 45% elsewhere. 

As of 2001, over 30% of the population of the area had a tertiary 

education. This is slightly lower than the proportion across the 

metropolitan area, whereby approximately 35% of the population is 

tertiary educated. Some 22% of residents have a vocational 

training/certificate qualification/TAFE Diploma while 8.5% of 

residents have a university degree (undergraduate bachelor/post 

graduate). This compares to 24% having had a vocational 

education/ having obtained a TAFE education and 12% of residents 

having obtained a university level education across the Perth 

metropolitan area. 

Property 

Finance 

Personal services 

Health & Comunity Services 

Education 

Accomadation & Dining 

Retail 

Wholesale 

Construction 

Manufacturing 

0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 

Key employment industries of local residents 

ABS 2001. NB not necessarily employed within the Local Area 

Income levels of the Balcatta Stirling Local Area are slightly below 

Perth Metropolitan averages, with more households earning less 

than $400 per week and fewer households earning more than 

$1500 per week. Yet there is some divergence between Balcatta 

and Stirling with households in Stirling generally being wealthier. 



% of households 

14.00% Balcatta Stirling Local Area 

12.00% 

10.00% 

8.00% 

6.00% 

4.00% 

2.00% 

0.00% 

Nil income 

$200 to $299 

$400 to $499 

$600 to $699 

Perth Metropolitan Area 

$800 to $999 

$1,200 to $1,499 

Gross Weekly Household Income 

$2,000 or more 

Business Profile 

There are approximately 730 businesses in the Balcatta-Stirling 

area, which over approximately 6800 people accumulatively (as of 

2002). These consist of commercial, industrial businesses and 

home businesses. The majority of new development in recent years 

has been in the form of showroom development in the Balcatta 

Industrial Area and development along Cedric Street, on the 

northern boundary of the Stirling Regional Centre. 

Commercial Centres 

There are thirteen commercial centres across the local area, which 

vary in size from local and neighbourhood centres to district 

centres. Each level of centre serves a different function in providing 

for daily, weekly and specialist goods and different forms of 

shopping and service such as convenience retail and specialty 

retail. The largest centre within the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area is 

Northlands shopping centre, which is located on the eastern border 

of the area. Most other commercial centres are smaller, consisting 

of local convenience stores. 

The City’s Draft Local Commercial Strategy identifies that there is 

an adequate number of centres over the local area, with scope for 

slight increases in floor space in most centres. Northlands Centre 

has potential for the addition of 20% additional floor space over the 

next 20 years. However, the Strategy recommends that a centre 

plan be developed and consideration of the integration of the centre 

over Wanneroo Road occurs, as part of any redevelopment of the 

Northland Centre. 

Balcatta Industrial Area 

The Balcatta Industrial Area is located in the northern section of the 

local area. It consists of a range of land uses, largely commercial 

and industrial in nature and serves as a dominant employment 

destination for the local area. Over 730 businesses provide some 

6800, employment positions throughout the area. Service industries 

and office/businesses occupy most of the industrial area, with a 

growing presence of retail showrooms, particularly along major 

thoroughfares such as Erindale Road and Balcatta Road. Presently, 

most of the area is zoned Special Garden Industrial, with some 

areas zoned special use, which attempt to accommodate for the 

shift in the area’s activity profile. The area takes on a garden feel, 

given the existence of development controls which maintain garden 

space on industrial /commercial premises in the area. The area is 

highly accessible for freight vehicles, being located at the junction of 

Reid Highway and Mitchell Freeway. 



0 150 300 

GWELUP 

MITCHELL FREEWAY 

metres 

ERINDALE ROAD 

BALCATTA ROAD 

CITY OF STIRLING 

BALCATTA 

REID HIGHWAY 

Land Uses in Balcatta 

LEGEND 

Planning Land Use Category 

Entertainment/Recreation/Cultural 

Health/Welfare/Community Services 

Manufacturing/Processing/Fabrication 

Office/Business 

Primary/Rural 

Residential 

Other Retail 

Service Industry 

Shop/Retail 

Storage/Distribution 

Utilities/Communications 

Vacant Floor Area 

Vacant Land Area 

BALGA 

WANNEROO ROAD 

CENTRE 

EXISTING 

NLAm 2 2003 

POTENTIAL 

NLAm 2 2026 

REGIONAL 

Stirling Regional Centre 

(outside of Local Area) 36,432 m 2 37,270 m 2 

DISTRICT 

Northlands 10,237m 2 12,390 m 2 

NEIGHBOURHOOD 

Stirling Village 

(Sanderling Street) 1377 m 2 1808 m 2 

LOCAL 

Natalie Way/Glengary 

Village 450 m 2 467 m 2 

Amelia Heights 

(Jones Street) 577 m 2 884 m 2 

Harrison Street 510 m 2 628 m 2 

Beryl / Main Street 620 m 2 852 m 2 

Shakespeare Avenue 590 m 2 732 m 2 

Jones Street/ Karrinyup 

Road 

No Modelled 

Data 

No Modelled 

Odin Drive Deli 

Data 

Innaloo Deli 312 m 2 152 m 2 

Northern Districts Medical 

Centre 170 m 2 213 m 2 

Green Avenue 

Ezy Park Deli 

No Modelled 

Data 

No Modelled 

Data 

Taken from DRAFT Local Commercial Strategy 2007 

NLA = net lettable area 

No Modelled 

Data 

No Modelled 

Data 

No Modelled 

Data 

No Modelled 

Data 

Commercial Areas in Balcatta-Stirling Local Area 



Stirling City Centre Project 

The Stirling Regional Centre is the major strategic Regional Centre 

within the City of Stirling and consists of the Stirling Train Station, 

Westfield Innaloo Shopping Centre, City of Stirling Administration 

Centre, Cinema Complex, Osborne Park Hospital, various other 

businesses and some residential areas. The centre employs some 

21,000 people and provides many commercial services for 

residents of the Balcatta/Stirling Local Area. 



Economic Issues & Opportunities 

Commercial Development / Activity Corridor Development 

Network City, which intends to guide the future development of 

Perth and Peel Region advocates the development of activity 

centres, of various sizes, which consist of numerous activity 

generators and a mix of land uses such as dining, entertainment, 

commercial facilities, office activity with excellent public transport 

and safe and attractive walking and cycling networks. These should 

be surrounded by medium to high-density residential development 

as to maximize the number of people who can access such facilities 

and services and local employment opportunities. 

There are opportunities to redevelop the Northlands Centre as an 

activity centre. This follows the outcomes of the community 

consultation with the Balcatta-Stirling area, whereby there were 

calls for a centre with more commercial and social activity, which 

functioned beyond 9-5 Monday to Saturday. This could provide an 

opportunity to link the two areas on each side of Wanneroo Road to 

make the centre more cohesive. Wanneroo Road could then form 

the activity corridor, with higher intensity mixed use development 

along it and good public transport. 

Meanwhile, there is a need to ensure that the many smaller 

commercial centres in the local area survive, as is reflected in the 

Draft Local Commercial Strategy. Many local centres over the City 

have been adversely impacted through the development of “big-box 

centres”, which has resulted in the loss of small businesses; 

reduced access to retail and less convenient shopping for local 

residents. 

There are opportunities to redevelop Northlands in line with Network 

City principles 

The City also recognizes the need to ensure that local centres are 

inviting places to visit and shop. The City’s Local Centres 

Programme has been implemented in order to improve the urban 

form of local centres and looks to upgrade facilities. There may be 

scope for centres in the Balcatta-Stirling area to be subject to works 

as part of this project. 

A desire was expressed within the community for Stirling Village on 

Cedric Street to become a community hub with quality commercial, 

community, residential and public open space amenities. As such, 

the centre could form the focus of a Local Centres Programme 

study. The development of adjacent vacant lots surrounding the 

centre to provide additional housing, and developing Sanderling 

Shearwater Reserve as an attractive community and 

environmentally sensitive park, would complement such efforts. 

There could also be work with the Stirling Business Association to 

facilitate business growth in the local area and ensure that it is 

responsive to community needs. 



Balcatta Industrial Area 

The Balcatta Industrial Area serves an important role for local 

employment and service provision. Network City states that land 

use in industrial areas should remain predominantly industrial and 

be protected from encroachment by other land uses. However, the 

development of showrooms, “big-box” retail and commercial 

facilities, which for the most part are along Balcatta Road and 

Erindale Road, threaten the existence of industrial activity in the 

area. 

To facilitate the shift in activity, two “Mixed Business” corridors are 

being established along the major roads of Balcatta Industrial Area, 

these being Erindale and Balcatta Roads, which will provide for 

more commercial/office type development in-line with current 

trends, yet also develop higher visual amenity standards. The 

remaining portion of the area will be for industrial activity, to ensure 

adequate land is provided for this important business and 

employment sector. 

Stirling Regional Centre 

The City of Stirling, in partnership with the Western Australian 

Planning Commission, is reviewing the Stirling City Centre Structure 

Plan. The review intends to facilitate cohesive combination of 

residential, retail, office, entertainment, civic and open space uses 

within the Centre; incorporate a built form that is architecturally 

interesting; improve public transport and pedestrian access; create 

a ‘real heart’ for the centre and work to improve traffic management. 

The development of this centre will impact the levels of access to 

services and employment opportunities for those in the Balcatta- 

Stirling Local Area. 

Showroom and Commercial Development along Balcatta Road 



Balcatta Industrial Area Proposed Zoning 



Economic Outcomes to Achieve 


Outcome 1 

The Local Area has a thriving and sustainable business and 

economic environment with a variety of successful small 

and large commercial centres, activity corridors, major 

employment centres and home business. 

Outcome 2 

Balcatta Industrial Area is a successful, innovative and 

inviting place to work and do business. 


Adopt the Network City principles of Activity Corridors and Activity 

Centres in locations such as Wanneroo Road, Main St, Karrinyup 

Road. 

Continue the debate with DPI and others in the development of Activity 

Corridors and centres. 

Increasing residential component of mixed use and Activity Centres 

 

from R40 to R80 

Investigate measures to encourage commercial and business owners 

to develop and operate in an environmentally responsible and 

sustainable way. 

The City continues to support appropriate applications for new and 

expanding businesses, in a timely manner and provides information 

and assistance to people wishing to develop a new business. 

The City continues to make the best use of technology to provide 

information and support to local business and to simplify the 

development approval process. 

A new ‘Mixed Business’ zone is established along the key road axis of 

the industrial area to provide opportunities for new business. 

Land in the majority of the industrial area is zoned for traditional 

industrial type business to provide land for and protect such business 

 

activity. 

New design guidelines are introduced for Mixed Business and 

Industrial development in the area to improve the visual amenity of the 

area. 

The “garden industrial” character of the area is maintained, with 

landscaping and maintenance of private businesses, verges, medians 

and reserves. 

 

The City to continue working with the Stirling Business Association and 

the Small Business Centre in Balcatta to address the needs of local 



usiness and to consolidate the business precinct as a leading support 

centre for business development. 

Outcome 3 

Northlands Shopping Centre is a successful mixed-use 

activity centre with high quality retail, dining, entertainment 

and housing in an attractive, vibrant setting. 

Consider providing incentives to encourage the creation of more mixed 

use centres capped to an appropriate scale. 

Seek to implement parking options that reflect local land uses to 

minimise conflict between commercial and residential areas. 

Ensure land use changes enhance the amenity of the local area. 

 

 

Prepare Revitalisation Plans for major commercial centres in the area. 

Seek to better integrate community facilities in public places – shops, 

parks, other. 

Outcome 4 

Stirling City Centre is a true ‘City Centre’ offering excellent 

commercial, entertainment, employment, transport and 

community facilities to the Balcatta – Stirling community. 

Ensure the sustainable provision of public open space and 

infrastructure in areas of change to reflect proposed density changes. 

To continue work on Stirling City Centre Structure Plan Review and to 

consider the impact this development has on the Balcatta-Stirling Local 

Area 

Establish a commercial hub or civic centre on Council owned land 

along Cedric Street. 



8. Balcatta-Stirling Movement Network 

Transport Profile 

The movement network of the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area 

constitutes its roads, footpaths, cycle routes, public transport and 

any other means of moving around, through and to and from the 

local area. Much of the road network has been established for 

many decades, however there is no consistent street pattern and 

many cul-de-sacs, which reduces the permeability (ability to move 

through) of the area. The northern suburbs rail line runs along the 

western boundary of the local area, with Stirling train station at the 

southwest edge. Residents south of Karrinyup Road are within 

1km/15 minutes walk of the station, however at its furthermost 

boundary residents are up to 3km away. A good level of bus 

services also surrounds the local area with frequent buses along 

Wanneroo Road, the Circle Route running along Karrinyup Road 

and numerous services from Stirling train station. However bus 

services coming through the local area are limited and infrequent. 

The majority of precincts, except for the industrial area, are fairly 

well serviced by footpaths, although the amount of cul-de-sacs 

reduces the walkability of the area. 

2% walk or drive. A small proportion of residents work from home, 

reducing the need for home/work trips. 

The local area also contains a number of workplaces, which provide 

good opportunities for people to work close to home, reducing the 

length of car trips and allowing for walking and cycling. However 

many workers in the Balcatta Industrial Area and the Stirling City 

Centre travel from outside of the local area, and most are driving. 

Research has shown that approximately 85% of workers in the 

Balcatta Industrial Area drive to work, and although Stirling City 

Centre is close to the train station, only about 5% of workers take 

public transport to workplaces in that area. Anecdotal evidence 

also shows that most school children in the local area are driven to 

school, a TravelSmart programme with West Balcatta Primary in 

2006 showed that between 70-80% of students were driven to 

school, however there is potential for this to change through the 

TravelSmart programme. 

The Balcatta-Stirling Local Area community can currently be 

considered highly car reliant. Although residents and workers in the 

area have many transport choices and are fairly well served in 

terms of alternative transport choices, car use is by far the preferred 

means of transport. Approximately 60% of households in the local 

area have two or more cars and only 5% do not have a car at all. 

Approximately 70% of people in the area drive alone in a car to 

work, whilst only 4% of workers take public transport and less than 



70.00% 

60.00% 

50.00% 

40.00% 

30.00% 

20.00% 

10.00% 

0.00% 

Vehicle driver 

Vehicle passenger 

Public transport 

Bike 

Walk 

Worked at home 

Travel mode to work of local area residents 



Movement Network 



Issues & Opportunities 

Sustainable Transport 

It is becoming increasingly evident that Perth’s current heavy 

reliance on single-occupant car use is unsustainable, due to issues 

such as a looming oil crisis, air pollution, global warming and traffic 

congestion. The Balcatta-Stirling community is aware of these 

issues and would like to move towards more sustainable transport 

options. Whilst many residents and workers are heavily reliant on 

their cars, there is a strong desire for services, opportunities and 

encouragement to drive less. 

The major opportunity and priority is train services yet there is also 

strong community demand for increased bus services. Stirling Train 

Station is already a very busy station, thereby limiting opportunities 

for more bus services to connect with the station. Yet the Stirling 

City Centre project, TravelSmart projects and the City’s relationship 

with the Perth Transport Authority could be used to maximise 

access to the train station, and to initiate a multi-faceted approach 

to station access consisting of parking, bus, cycling and walking 

access. The City can also encourage non-vehicle transport by 

planning for enhanced bus shelter provision and shared paths in the 

local area. 

A Connected Movement Network 

The Balcatta-Stirling community would like a movement network 

that better connects all types of transport users to local community 

amenities, such as workplaces, shops, schools and parks. A well 

planned footpath and cycle network is the best system for providing 

local people with easy access to local facilities, however there is 

also strong interest in a shuttle bus, taking residents to places such 

as Stirling train station, Northlands shopping centre and Innaloo 

regional centre. The City of Stirling could investigate the feasibility 

of this idea and investigate opportunities for shopping centres or 

other agencies to provide or partner in the service. 

Healthy and Social Transport Options 

The added benefit of more sustainable transport options is a more 

physically active and socially interactive community. Increasing 

walking and cycling in the Balcatta-Stirling Local Area will help to 

achieve the Local Area Plan’s community vision of a more socially 

interactive, healthy, safe and vibrant place. 

Driving and Parking 

The main community priority for roads and driving in the area is 

safety, principally through reducing vehicle speeding on local 

streets, and efficient traffic movement on Karrinyup Road. The City 

can utilise a number of community safety and traffic engineering 

initiatives to manage traffic, yet also relies on community input to 

identify problem areas. With regard to parking, the two areas of 

concern are Stirling Train Station (adjacent to the Local Area) and 

the Balcatta Industrial Area. Parking shortages are experienced in 

both locations. 

TravelSmart 

The City of Stirling runs a range of “TravelSmart” programmes to 

encourage smarter travel choice. Projects, events and information 

are provided to encourage people to walk, cycle, car pool and take 

public transport. In 2006 West Balcatta Primary School set up a 

Walking School Bus with parents walking groups of students to 

school. During their TravelSmart Week, students were able to 

dramatically cut car travel, with one class reducing car trips from 

84% to 44%. Balcatta-Stirling youth, residents and businesses 

have the opportunity to get involved in a number of TravelSmart 



projects and the City can work with individuals and organisations to 

address transport issues. 



Transport Outcomes to Achieve 


Outcome 1: 

Residents are choosing more environmentally friendly, healthy 

and sustainable transport options. 

Outcome 2: 

A Safe and attractive movement network that equitably provides 

for all different transport users and modes of transport. 

Outcome 3: 

A high quality bicycle and footpath network throughout the local 

area that links residents to key hubs and facilities – shops, parks, 

schools, work and the train station. 


Providing hard and soft infrastructure that supports and encourages 

public transport use, walking and cycling; such as bus shelters, seats, 

paths and attractive, safe environments. 

The City’s TravelSmart Officer to continue to provide public transport, 

walking cycling and car-pooling programmes to local residents, 

workplaces and schools to educate and encourage sustainable 

 

transport use. 

The City to work with Perth Transit Authority to address parking and 

bus access issues at Stirling train station and to develop other 

TravelSmart initiatives to combat access problems. 

Investigate options for a shuttle bus or CAT style bus to access the 

train station or commercial centres e.g. a Westfield Innaloo shuttle bus. 

Promote City of Stirling community safety, security and ranger services 

that are available to the local community. 

Host TravelSmart and driving/community safety information days or 

displays at local events and shopping centres. 

 

 

Continue to work on ‘anti-hoon’ projects with local residents and police 

Investigate measures for property developers to contribute to a quality 

movement network, such as footpath development, street trees and 

awnings. 

Continue to strengthen the cycling network as part of the Perth Bicycle 

Network and promote cycling in the City. 

Continue to support resident’s request for new footpaths and plan for 

links to key hubs and facilities. 

Maintenance of verges and increase street trees and amenity along 

major routes to provide attractive, shaded walking environments. 

Investigate the potential for pedestrian phases at traffic lights along 

Karrinyup Road and Wanneroo Road. 



9. Balcatta-Stirling Local Area Key Opportunities 

Key Opportunities Map 

The following “Balcatta-Stirling Key Opportunities Map” illustrates 

some of the major opportunities for the local area over the 

implementation phase of this document, the Balcatta Stirling Local 

Area Plan. The Local Area Plan will be implemented over the 

coming 10-15 year period, through actions devised to accomplish 

the “Outcomes to Achieve” listed throughout the plan. Throughout 

the plan many actions, activities, programmes, ideas and events 

have been discussed. The City of Stirling, with the help of 

community members and other agencies, will seek to implement 

these initiatives by examining the opportunities, costs and support 

for different actions and how they can be integrated into all the 

other important work the City does for its residents and businesses 

across the City. 

The following plan shows the major opportunities to achieve the 

desired outcomes and community vision for the future of the 

Balcatta Stirling Local Area: 

‣ Further establishing the Stirling Village precinct as a Community 

Hub with shops, medical services and spaces for offices and 

cafes, within an attractive setting. This will be a key location for 

people to access amenities and to meet and socialise. The 

attraction and success of this hub can be strengthened by 

developing adjacent vacant lots, some additional housing and 

developing Sanderling Shearwater Reserve as an attractive 

community and environmentally sensitive park. 

‣ Northlands Shopping Centre precinct developing as a true 

“Activity Centre” in-line with Network City principles, with more 

diversity of land use and activity that extends beyond 9-5 

Monday to Saturday. A more attractive/exciting environment and 

more people living nearby would help this Activity Centre to be 

more successful. 

‣ Wanneroo Road developing as an “Activity Corridor” in-line with 

Network City principles of medium to high density housing, 

mixed use, dining and entertainment, commercial and office 

activity with excellent public transport and safe and attractive 

walking and cycling networks. 

‣ Two “Mixed Business” corridors being established along the 

major roads of Balcatta Industrial Area which will provide for 

more commercial/office type development in-line with current 

trends, yet also develop with higher visual amenity. The 

remaining portion of the area will be for industrial activity, to 

ensure adequate land is provided for industrial activity 

‣ Providing opportunities for additional housing in locations that 

provide access to the train station, Northlands and Stirling 

Village Shopping Centres and bus services on Wanneroo Road. 

Increased population in these areas will also provide support for 

these important amenities. 

‣ Protecting wetlands such as Cedric Grebe and Spoonbill- 

Shearwater across the local area, managing changing 

environmental circumstances and recognising their historical, 

community and environmental value. 



Balcatta – Stirling Local Area Key Opportunities Map 

CITY OF STIRLING BALCATTA-STIRLING 81 

LOCAL AREA PLAN

Balcatta Stirling Local Area Plan - City of Stirling

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