MIRRABOOKA Local Area Plan - City of Stirling

MIRRABOOKA
Local Area Plan

Foreword
As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to planning for a better future for City of Stirling residents, I am pleased to present the Local Area
Plan for the Mirrabooka Local Area. The City is confident this plan encapsulates the community’s vision for the future planning of the Loc cal
Area over the next 10 to 15 years.
The City’s Local Area Planning project identifies the unique characteristics of each Local Area within the City. Although each Local Area holds
equal value as each other, all have very different resident needs and expectations. The Local Area visioning exercise undertaken by the
community assists Council in planning for and prioritising projects within the Local Area.
The agreed Vision for Mirrabooka is:
‘In the Year 2020 the Mirrabooka Local Area is an area that celebrates its diversity through its social connectedness and activities, is a
welcome open safe environment and is enhanced by local parks, managed bushland and ‘green’ streetscapes. It has a community that
respects differences and one that is proud of its area.’
The significant engagement of the local community throughout the Local Area consultation process has ensured that this plan, and its outcomes, is firmly founded in
the community aspirations for the local area.
This plan will also assist the City’s business units to prioritise and budget for various projects that will assist in achieving the desired outcomes for the Local Area.
An implementation plan is currently being prepared which will mobilise the agreed outcomes of this plan. The various business units of the City will incorporate the
outcomes of the implementation plans as part of their annual business unit planning. The implementation plans will be reviewed every t hree years to ensure the
outcomes are met in a timely fashion.
Realising the vision of the Mirrabooka Local Area is a joint effort. Council has already ex tensively consulte d the community in preparing this plan, however, we
welcome your ideas, comments and questions. More information on the Mirrabooka Local Area Plan is available on the City's website
www.stirling.wa.gov.au/Local+Area+Planning/, via email localareaplanning@stirling.wa.gov.au, or by contacting the City on 9205 8555.
Councillor David Boothman
Mayor
City of Stirling
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Contents
Part 1: Summary and Outcomes
Executive Summary......………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………...5
Mirrabooka Local Area Plan Outcomes Table……..………………………………………………………………………………………..………...8
Part 2: Introduction
Introduction……………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………….........12
Planning Context…………………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...17
Part 3: Mirrabooka Local Area
Community and Cultural Development Profile……………………………………………………………………………………………………….26
Natural Environment Profile……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………31
Built Environment Profile……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….34
Economic Development Profile……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......37
Transport and Movement Network Profile…………………………………………………………………………………………………………....40
Part 4: Community Engagement Process
Community Engagement Process……………………………………………………………………………………………………......…………...44
Community Priorities……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..46
Community Vision……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….51
Part 5: Focus Areas
Community & Cultural Development Issues & Opportunities……..………………………………………………………………………........53
Outcomes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……....58
Natural Environment Issues & Opportunities………………………………………………………………………………………………..….. ..59
Outcomes……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......62
Built Environment Issues & Opportunities…………………………………………………………………………………..……………………...63
Outcomes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...66
Economic Development Issues & Opportunities ………………………………………………………………………………………………….68
Outcomes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...73
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Transport & Movement Network Issues & Opportunities…………………………..…………………………………………………………….74
Outcomes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..77
Part 6: Key Opportunities
Key Opportunities Map…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….................79
Part 7: Appendices
Flora & Fauna of the Mirrabooka Local Area………………………………………………………………………………………………………..81
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Part 1:
Summary & Outcomes
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Executive Summary
The Mirrabooka 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
concentrating on a defined locality. This allows for holistic
consideration of social, economic and environmental issues and
unique opportunities in each 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 can 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
analysing potential future direction for the area. The plan then
combines empirical planning research with outcomes of the
community engagement process and visions for the Local Area
within the community. The plan then instigates achievable actions
to work towards the realisation 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.
The Local Area
The Mirrabooka Local Area lies between the street boundaries of
Alexander Drive, Beach Road, Mirrabooka Avenue and Reid
Highway. The Mirrabooka Regional Centre (south of Reid
Highway) has been excluded as it forms part of the Dianella Local
Area and has also been the focus of the Mirrabooka Regional
Centre Improvement Strategy. This allows the City to mainly focus
on the needs and interests of the residential part of Mirrabooka in
the Mirrabooka Local Area Planning project. The Local Area
covers approximately 400 hectares and is directly 10km north of
the Perth City Centre. The area is characterised by mostly lowdensity
residential development to its north, which is interspersed
with parks and schooling facilities. The south of the Local Area
comprises regional bushland reserve, brick works and the Atlas
Waste Disposal and Recycling site. The Mirrabooka Regional
Centre, which includes the Mirrabooka Shopping Centre and
various other commercial and civic facilities, whilst located outside
of the Mirrabooka Local Area, is a significant commercial and civic
centre serving the Mirrabooka Local Area. Malaga Industrial Area
also abuts the Local Area, which is a growing industrial and
commercial hub in the City of Swan.
Community engagement
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 – Community Planning Strategy for Perth and Peel
and recognises 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.
Several different community forums were held to bring
representatives of the community together to discuss their ideas,
concerns and aspirations for the area. Community surveys,
community forums, youth engagement, Aboriginal community
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engagement and culturally and linguistically diverse community
engagement workshops were used in the development of the plan,
to ensure the diverse range of community interests were captured
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. Discussion then led
to the identification of priorities and preferences and development of
the following vision statement:
In the Year 2020 the Mirrabooka Local Area is an area that
celebrates its diversity through its social connectedness and
activities, is a welcome open safe environment and is enhanced by
local parks, managed bushland and ‘green’ streetscapes. It has a
community that respects differences and one that is proud of their
area.
The Community
The Mirrabooka Local Area is a relatively new area in terms of the
history of development throughout the City of Stirling. The first
residential development in the area only occurred in the 1980’s.
Key features of the local community profile are such that the Area:
- is a culturally diverse community (approximately half of the
community were born overseas and over 55% of residents speak
a language other than English at home);
- has a much younger community and higher family orientated
population than other areas of the City of Stirling and Perth
Metropolitan Area – with 74% of all households being ‘family
households’; and
- has experienced a slow-down in population growth in recent
years relative to other parts of the City and Perth Metropolitan
Area (most likely due to the area being already developed).
The community engagement process found that most residents
wanted to draw on these key features to enhance the community
further. For instance, by highlighting and celebrating cultural
difference, intercultural appreciation could be formed within the
diverse community.
Natural Environment
The natural environment was quite important to the community,
especially the Aboriginal community. The Bush Forever Site and
various local parks and reserves were identified as favourite places,
for their environmental value and provision for social interaction.
The community engagement also revealed a desire to be involved
in environmental decision making in the area. The Aboriginal
representatives in particular indicated that they would like to assist
in natural resource management planning of the area.
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.
There is a need to increase housing diversity and also a need to
provide more 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, allowing lower
density areas to be rezoned to accommodate greater housing
density. However, support for higher density varies across the local
area, with greater support for increased density around the
Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre.
Although the current housing stock is not as old as other parts of
the City, some areas in Mirrabooka do require redevelopment to
renew and improve residential areas. Although rezoning will provide
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the opportunity to land owners to improve development on their
land, the change is likely to be gradual. This should allow for much
needed infrastructure and facilities to expand at the same time as
any new development in the area.
Economic Environment
The Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre was listed as the top place
in need of improvement in the Local Area. It is a highly utilised
centre, but is lacking in maintenance and aesthetic appeal. It is
proposed that encouraging new development around the centre,
through residential rezoning, will also encourage redevelopment of
some aspects of the commercial centre.
Although the Mirrabooka Regional Centre is not included in the
Mirrabooka Local Area, it did feature prominently during the
community engagement process. The Mirrabooka Regional Centre
Improvement Strategy will look at creating a town square with a
piazza and shop, as well as a new main street and road network.
The improvement of the Regional Centre should lead to an increase
in employment and economic growth throughout the Local Area.
Movement Network
In relation to movement networks, there are high levels of car
dependency in the Mirrabooka Local area. While public transport is
provided, it is limited and infrequent. The community has called for
the further development and expansion of a connective transport
network and more train services and bus integration. 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 and transport safety issues were also identified during
community engagement. It is envisaged that the City will be able to
address these issues throughout the Local Area Implementation
planning process.
Key Opportunities
The key opportunities, which have been identified from the process,
include: -
• Further establishing Mirrabooka Village as a community hub
which provides a range of commercial and social facilities
• Encouraging revitalisation of some residential areas through
rezoning
• Further protecting and maintaining local parks and reserves
as well as the Bush Forever site
• Acknowledging, embracing and educating on the cultural
diversity within the Mirrabooka Local Area
• Retaining most of the current housing stock in the area,
allowing larger families to continue to reside in Mirrabooka
Mirrabooka Local Area Community Vision
In the Year 2020 the Mirrabooka Local Area is an area that celebrates its diversity through its social connectedness and
activities, is a welcome open safe environment and is enhanced by local parks, managed bushland and ‘green’
streetscapes. It has a community that respects differences and one that is proud of their area.
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Mirrabooka Local Area Plan Outcomes Table
This table provides a snapshot of the outcomes to achieve over the 10-15 year lifespan of the Mirrabooka Local Area Plan. Designed to realise
the community vision for the Local Area, and based upon priorities ascertained through community engagement, the outcomes listed below will
form the basis of annually prepared Mirrabooka Local Area Implementation Plans. All actions within this Implementation Plan will be developed
in relation to the outcomes below.
Mirrabooka Community & Culture Outcomes to Achieve
Outcome 1
Cultural expression and development, and integration, is fostered through dedicated centres or venues, activities and events.
Outcome 2
The area is safe and secure as people feel safe walking around the area day and night, on public transport, and in public spaces such as parks.
Outcome 3
A strong character for the Local Area, strengthened through improved appearance and drawing on its unique cultural diversity, creates pride of
place.
Outcome 4
Youth needs in the area are better met, with opportunities for recreation, education, cultural development, and interaction with other sectors of
the community.
Outcome 5
Public facilities needed by the community are considered in the development of the built form and public open space, ensuring comfortable and
safe public spaces and local provision for local needs.
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Mirrabooka Natural Environment Outcomes to Achieve
Outcome 1
Key local parks are clean, well maintained and safe, with amenities such as pathways, meeting places and public facilities making them more
comfortable for everyone.
Outcome 2
A stronger character is developed in Mirrabooka, with high quality landscaping and entry statements.
Outcome 3
Aboriginal community members share their knowledge about the natural environment, and are able to use their knowledge of natural resource
management in environmental decision-making about their area.
Outcome 4
Bushland and biodiversity are protected at the Bush Forever site and throughout the Local Area.
Mirrabooka Built Environment Outcomes to Achieve
Outcome 1
A finer grained mix of land uses in the Local Area allows people to live, work, recreate and access goods and services locally.
Outcome 2
Greater housing diversity around Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre and high frequency Public Transport routes, including small, large,
retirement and affordable housing enables a greater diversity of people to live in the area.
Outcome 3
All housing within the area is built to a high standard whether privately owned, rental or State provided, and energy and water efficiency is
required for all new developments.
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Mirrabooka Economic Outcomes to Achieve
Outcome 1
Cultural diversity and expression is supported as a key economic development driver for the Local Area through establishment of cultural
venues, markets and events.
Outcome 2
Local businesses such as small and home businesses are able to successfully start up and continue through supportive advice and locations,
meeting Local Area needs.
Outcome 3
Entertainment amenities including cafes, restaurants and recreational facilities provide local opportunities within the area during the day and in
the evening.
Outcome 4
Employment opportunities for the local community are facilitated by the City of Stirling through both support for new businesses and the
organisation’s own human resources management.
Mirrabooka Movement Network Outcomes to Achieve
Outcome 1
Bus and train services are frequent and easily accessible, and the local community is well connected to surrounding areas and major destinations
in the Metropolitan Area.
Outcome 2
Public transport facilities and services, footpaths and cycle paths, and streets are safe and secure for all sectors of the community day and night.
Outcome 3
Connectivity across the Local Area is strong, with footpaths and cycle paths, recreational tracks and crossings providing safe and continuous
access to key destinations throughout the Local Area.
Outcome 4
Aboriginal community members establishing cultural programs and activities are supported in their efforts to provide transport for those involved,
enabling safe access to and from events and activities.
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Part 2:
Introduction
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Introduction
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 imposing plans on
communities. More community involvement also creates a better
exchange of knowledge and experiences between the City and its
residents and among community members themselves, 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 engagement and management. Twelve
individual Local Area’s 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.
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The 12 Local Areas of the City of Stirling
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Principles and Objectives of Local Area Planning
The Local Area Planning Process is guided by the following principles and objectives:
Principles
Sustainability
Sustainability integrates positive community, environmental and economic
outcomes to provide quality of life for today’s and tomorrow’s communities.
Accessibility
Planning should maximise opportunities for community members of varied
abilities and backgrounds to access the facilities and services they require.
Diversity and Choice
Planning should provide for diverse community needs, including housing
and employment, and build on the strengths that diversity in communities
affords.
Community Building
Planning should work to create and enhance places that people feel
connected to and foster interaction between community members.
Appropriateness
Good planning is sensitive to what is appropriate for an area, with regard to
regional context and practices.
Objectives
• 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 local communities and work with them
to develop practical solutions to these, within the context of a regional
framework;
• 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 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 realisation of the
vision for the
area; and
• To help ensure that each Local Area operates in a sustainable way
and in accord with surrounding precincts and other areas of influence.
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Mirrabooka Local Area Planning Process
The Mirrabooka Local Area has been the fourth area subject to
the Local Area Planning Process. The Local Area is located in the
north-east corner of the City of Stirling and encompasses most of
the suburb of Mirrabooka bound by Alexander Drive, Beach Road,
Mirrabooka Avenue and Reid Highway. The Mirrabooka Local
Area is approximately 10km north of the Perth City Centre and
covers 400 hectares.
The Mirrabooka Local Area Planning Project commenced in early
2008. Community engagement with the Mirrabooka community was
conducted between April and August 2008 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, forums (including a Culturally and Linguistically
Diverse community forum), engagement with local primary school
students and with local indigenous community representatives.
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 for 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 metropolitan
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 Mirrabooka Local Area.
Participants at the Mirrabooka Local Area Planning CaLD Workshop
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Planning Context
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Planning Context
Local Planning Strategy
The City’s draft Local Planning Strategy has been prepared
to facilitate the review of the current District Planning Scheme
and to provide the basis for more specific planning strategies.
Local Area Planning should help deliver on the following
objectives:-
• To facilitate development of a housing mix
appropriate to changing community structure,
expectations and needs;
• To retain and enhance the vitality, amenity and level
of service of the existing shopping centre hierarchy;
• To appropriately respond to current economic trends;
• To assist in the protection of the City’s ecological and
environmental assets;
• Promote choice, sustainability and sense of place in
the built environment;
• Facilitate the provision of community services and
recreational facilities that are robust enough to meet
changing needs; and
• Promote optimum use and benefit of existing and
future infrastructure.
Housing Strategy
The City is currently preparing a Local Housing
Strategy to guide the future development of
housing and residential lots across 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 inform any plans for changing
residential densities within the City.
Commercial Strategy
The draft Local Commercial Strategy identifies
objectives for different types of commercial
centres and guides the planning of these activity
nodes, including limitations on expansion,
centres that require specific action or
improvement, and supporting services and
facilities. Having been based on the Metropolitan
Centres Policy, it is likely that the Commercial
Strategy will be reviewed to be in accord with
Network City.
Public Open Space Strategy
Development and management of parks and
reserves in the locality will now be guided by the
City’s Public Open Space Strategy. This strategy
is used to guide an inventory, assessment, and
classification of all reserves in each Local Area
as well. Further plans will aim to produce an
accessible network of public open spaces that
offer varying levels of local sport and recreational
opportunities for each Local Area.
Industrial Areas in Transition
Management Strategy
In 2004 the City adopted a strategy to manage
and control development in industrial areas. It
proposes a containment of showroom activity
along major roads in order to maintain existing
industrial activity, provide diverse local
employment opportunities and mitigate
associated traffic and amenity issues.
District Planning Scheme No. 2
District Planning Scheme No. 2 provides the key statutory
planning framework for the City. It establishes 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. Various policies to control
development have also been adopted under the Scheme.
Following a review of the Scheme, Local Planning Scheme
No. 3 was prepared, and advertised in late 2007. It is now
awaiting final endorsement from the Western Australian
Planning Commission.
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 preparing a
Seniors Plan. 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.
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 transportation, and establishes ways to
improve access and transport options between
homes, workplaces, commercial centres and
other activity nodes.
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Part 3:
‘
Mirrabooka Local Area
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Study area
The Mirrabooka Local Area is a north-eastern precinct within the
City of Stirling, encompassing most of the suburb of Mirrabooka. It
lies between the street boundaries of Alexander Drive, Beach
Road, Mirrabooka Avenue and Reid Highway. The Mirrabooka
Local Area is approximately 10km north of the Perth City Centre
and covers 400 hectares.
The Mirrabooka Regional Centre (south of Reid Highway) makes
up the rest of the suburb of Mirrabooka. It has been excluded
from the study area as it forms part of the Dianella Local Area and
has been the focus of the Mirrabooka Regional Centre
Improvement Strategy. However, many issues and opportunities
raised through the planning process are directly related to this
Regional Centre, and some of the implementation of this plan
needs to occur through improvements to the Regional Centre.
The current role of the Mirrabooka Local Area is predominantly
residential. It is characterised by mostly low-density residential
development to its north and regional bushland reserve, brick
works and the Atlas Waste Disposal and Recycling Site to the
south.
There is only one commercial centre in the Mirrabooka Local Area
itself, “Mirrabooka Village”. Most of the commercial activity around
the Mirrabooka Local Area is otherwise focused on Mirrabooka
Regional Centre, which is the main commercial and civic centre
servicing the Area. The nearby Malaga Industrial Area also
provides various commercial facilities such as retail, showrooms
and financial services and is a growing industrial and commercial
hub within the City of Swan.
Key Amenities within the Mirrabooka Local Area include:
Shopping Centres
• Mirrabooka Village
• Mirrabooka Square in the Mirrabooka Regional Centre.
Major Parks & Reserves
• Bush-Forever Sites
• Dryandra Pendula Reserve
• Fragrant Gardens Reserve
• Redunca Coronata Reserve
• Apple Blossom Polyantha Reserve
Schools
• John Septimus Roe Anglican School
• Dryandra Primary School
• Boyare Primary School
Community Facilities
• Sudbury Community House
• Dryandra Community Centre
• Mirrabooka Library and Community Centre (in the
Mirrabooka Regional Centre)
• Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre (in the Mirrabooka
Regional Centre)
• Herb Graham Recreation Centre (in the Mirrabooka
Regional Centre)
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Please note that the Local Area Map gives a general indication of
the layout of the Local Area and should not be considered an exact
depiction of the Mirrabooka Local Area.
Regional Context Map outlining the Mirrabooka Local Area relative to the
rest of the City of Stirling
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Historical Overview
The City of Stirling acknowledges that the Aboriginal community are
the traditional land owners and had complete stewardship of the
land within the bounds of the City for thousands of years prior to
European occupation and settlement. Oral and written histories
clarify this and identify numerous registered heritage sites across
the City that indicate past occupation by Aboriginal peoples or sites
of cultural significance to Aboriginal peoples. The area, of which the
Mirrabooka Local Area forms part of, was used by the Mooro
people of south-west Australia.
local primary school was in operation by 1956, in addition to plans
for the Nollamara Shopping Centre. The proposal for a complete
satellite city was abandoned by 1982 and the suburb formally
known as Yirrigan became “Mirrabooka”.
European settlement of the Mirrabooka Local Area dates from the
mid 1800s. However, the majority of the land in the area remained
largely undeveloped for many years. This was due to the quality of
soil being relatively infertile, providing no value in agricultural
development of the area. Reflective of the area’s elevated
topography, the area was then named “Yirrigan” in 1954 (an
Aboriginal word meaning ‘elevated’).
In 1950, the State Housing Commission resumed nearly 3000
hectares for the site of the satellite city of Mirrabooka to respond to
the growing necessity to support and accommodate the increasing
post-war population. The city would encompass the suburbs of
Nollamara, Balga and Yirrigan. Estimations of the size of the
satellite city fluctuated between 7,500 and 20,000 dwellings
(Cooper & McDonald, 1999), in addition to recreational and
commercial facilities. As part of this proposal it was envisioned that
workers from Perth and the northern industrial areas would be
attracted to the development to reside.
The development faced a number of obstacles including an appeal
from the original landowner against the resumption of land. During
this time the proposed concept was revised several times, with
subsequent changes to suburb boundaries and residential
developments. Development began in Nollamara in 1955 and a
Herb Graham Regional Recreation Centre
Mirrabooka in the 1980s (photograph courtesy
City of Stirling Library Resources)
Around this time, the western parts of the suburb, closest to
Mirrabooka Avenue, were subdivided, with the first residential
development occurring. Subdivision occurred along the curvilinear
and cul-de-sac street layout typical of the era. Most homes built
were single dwellings of brick and tile in addition to some unit type
developments. Development in the eastern parts of the suburb
toward Alexander Drive grew over time as the population increased
during the 1990s. The population growth in the area has more
recently stabilised, while the area has been increasingly
characterised by cultural diversity.
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
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Herb Graham, former local
Labor politician and member of
the Western Australian
Legislative Assembly 1947-1950
(photograph courtesy City of
Stirling Library Resources).
Regional Context
The Mirrabooka Local Area is located within the Perth Metropolitan
Region, being approximately 10km north of the Perth City Centre.
In the context of the vast urban growth of Perth, the area is
relatively well positioned in its proximity to the Perth city centre,
which remains the key economic and social hub of the region.
The majority of the Mirrabooka Local Area is residential in nature,
although there are also significant areas of regional reserve and
bushland, which provide green relief in what is otherwise a largely
developed part of the Metropolitan Area. The Local Area is also
surrounded by major commercial areas which provide the local
community with facilities and amenities.
The major commercial centre near the Mirrabooka Local Area is the
Mirrabooka Regional Centre (which is directly south of the Local
Area). This centre provides a range of retail, commercial and civic
services and facilities. These include Mirrabooka Square Shopping
Centre, Herb Graham Recreation Centre, Mirrabooka Library as
well as many services such as police and community organisations.
Mirrabooka Regional Centre is identified as an activity centre under
the State’s Network City planning strategy and as a major Regional
Centre in the Western Australian Planning Commission’s
Metropolitan Centres Policy. Activity centres should provide for a
large range of retail, office, entertainment, recreation and
community facilities and associated employment.
The ageing infrastructure at the Centre coupled with its lack of
connectivity, have led the City and State Government to develop
and implement the Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement
Strategy (MRCIS) (The Conceptual Improvement Plan for the
Centre is provided for you information on page 25). Overall, the
Strategy aims to create an attractive, vibrant and successful focus
for the region’s shopping, social and service needs. The MRCIS
includes construction of a new Main Street, development of a
community ‘Town Square’ and expansion and refurbishment of the
existing ‘Bus Station.
The Malaga Industrial Area is located east of the Mirrabooka Local
Area. Located in the City of Swan, this industrial area provides
numerous employment opportunities, services and amenities for the
surrounding catchment, having undergone significant growth and
expansion over the last ten to fifteen years. The area consists of
manufacturing, commercial, and retail businesses as well as a
growing number of showroom developments. It is also designated
as an activity centre within Network City.
The Mirrabooka Local Area is also bound by a number of regionally
significant roads. Reid Highway transverses the southern boundary
of the Local Area and is the major west-east highway in the
northern Metropolitan Area providing access to key employment
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
January 2010

nodes such as Balcatta Industrial Area and Malaga Industrial Area
and to Tonkin Highway. Other regional roads include Alexander
Drive which connects the Local Area with Perth City Centre and
has various high-frequency bus services along it; Beach Road
which runs east-west from Carine to West Swan; and Mirrabooka
Avenue which connects to Mirrabooka Regional Centre. Alexander
Drive and Reid Highway are both designated as ‘transport corridors’
in Network City with a focus on expedient travel for motor vehicles
and public transport, as opposed to ‘activity corridors’ which would
otherwise be characterised by good public transport services and
clusters of commercial, business and other activity.
The Mirrabooka Local Area is otherwise surrounded mostly by lowmedium
density residential areas. These include Koondoola, Balga
and Dianella. Balga, having been established largely as a State
Housing area, has over the recent decade experienced significant
urban renewal as the New North New Living Programme has been
undertaken and as the area’s value has increasingly been
recognised. The New North project has involved streetscaping
enhancements and replacement/redevelopment of older housing
stock. A Swan TAFE College is also located in Balga, which also
provides various educational and training opportunities. Meanwhile,
key facilities in Dianella near the Mirrabooka Local Area include St
Andrews Grammar School and the Hellenic Community Aged Care
Facility.
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
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Community and Cultural Development Profile
Community development is an integral element of places and
influences how people live; social interactions and life
opportunities. There will also be different community needs and
opportunities in different places which influence planning for that
area. Significantly, community networking of which the Local Area
Planning process itself can help facilitate is an important element
of community development, providing opportunities for community
members to work together, capitalise on each others strengths,
understand each others needs and support each other.
Community facilities, organisations and programmes also play a
significant role in building community relationships, developing pride
of place and meeting community needs. There are however
questions that need be asked regarding how community facilities
are provided so as to cater for diverse needs and community
groups. The City is also examining whether support exists for the
development of ‘community hubs’, where community centres,
libraries and recreation centres, for instance, are provided in a few
centralised locations to form a focal point for communities and
provide flexibly for various community needs. The City also requires
support of both the community and State and Federal Government
to see that facilities and programmes can be developed and
continue to be delivered.
Significantly, cultural diversity presents many opportunities for
social and community development. The exchange of cultural
knowledge can build community capacity in the Local Area and
develop unique sense of place. Cultural diversity also brings with
it a range of unique social and cultural needs that must be
considered.
Community Profile
The key defining characteristics of the Mirrabooka Local Area
community are its low growth rate, young population base/family
household orientation and its high level of cultural diversity.
Population Profile
The population growth rate of the Mirrabooka Local Area is 0.2%
which is considerably lower than the City of Stirling rate (0.9%) and
the Perth Metropolitan Region rate (1.5%). This reflects the
developed nature of the area with its established family population.
In 2006 the average age of residents in Mirrabooka was 30 years
which is relatively young, with 8.5% of the population aged 60 years
or older (which is quite low) and approximately 35% of the
population aged 19 years or younger in 2006 (which is relatively
high).
The age forecast graph shows that the 10-19yr age bracket will
continue to be the largest age bracket until 2031. The assumptions
affecting these forecast figures are that there will be a loss in most
age groups between 2006 and 2011 due to migration, specifically in
regards to mature adults and younger families. After 2011 there is
expected to be minor gain in adults aged 30-39 and continued loss
of older adults and empty-nesters as they move out of the suburb
and into smaller, aged care and retirement homes.
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
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Percentage of Population
120
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Mirrabooka Age Structure Forecast
2006
2016
2031
0-9 10.-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-over
Age Brackets
Family Types Mirrabooka, 2006
The Local Area is very much family-orientated, with a comparatively
high 74% of all households being family households and a low 18%
of households being lone person households. This is in contrast to
the Stirling and Perth averages that reflect a changing demographic
with increasing numbers of couples without children and people
living alone. Mirrabooka Local Area also has larger household sizes
(with an average of 3.2 persons per household) than the Perth and
Stirling averages of 2.5 and 2.3 persons per household
respectively.
Cultural Diversity
Mirrabooka has a high proportion of residents that were born
overseas and from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Approximately half of the population was born overseas, with
approximately 8% being born in Vietnam and 3% in Sudan, with
other residents commonly born in England, Macedonia and Iraq.
Approximately 3.6% of the population identified themselves as
Indigenous Australians in 2006 which is more than double the City
of Stirling (1.14%) and the metropolitan Perth (1.5%) averages.
Percentage of Population
100
80
60
40
20
Mirrabooka
City of Stirling
0
Couples
with
child(ren)
15 yrs
Total
couples
with
child(ren)
One parent
families
with
child(ren)
15 yrs
Family Type
Total one
parent
families
Couples
without
child(ren)
Other
families
Total
families
Reflections of the Local Area’s Cultural Diversity
More than 55% of the community speak a language other than
English at home. The most common languages spoken include
Vietnamese, Arabic, Macedonian, a form of Chinese dialect and a
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form of Iranian dialect. The diversity in culture is also reflected in
religious affiliation, with approximately 52% of the total population
being affiliated with a form of Christianity, 17% affiliated with Islam,
10% Buddhism and 0.5% Hinduism.
The relatively high proportions of youth in the area as mentioned
above, as well as the cultural diversity in the community suggest a
need for particular attention to diverse community needs.
Community & Cultural Programs
There are many community development initiatives that service the
Mirrabooka Local Area. A variety of programmes exist catering for
the culturally and linguistically diverse community as well as youth
at risk. These include Active Together - Harmony Forever and the
Reel Connections programme.
Active Together - Harmony Forever is a co-initiative project from the
Office of Multicultural Interests, the Department of Sport and
Recreation, and the City of Stirling. The project is designed to use
organised sport and recreational activities to engage young people
from diverse backgrounds in order to promote and encourage
inclusiveness and participation.
The Reel Connections Programme (through the National
Community Crime Prevention Programme) aims to provide local
young migrants and indigenous youth at risk with employment and
education opportunities while ensuring safety and encouraging
intercultural understanding. The programme also provides
information for young residents and visitors regarding legal rights
and responsibilities. The concept has been developed in close
partnership with over 20 Local Area stakeholder groups including
high schools, settlement and employment agencies, Indigenous
representatives, local businesses, the West Metropolitan District
Police and youth service providers and has funding approval until
June 2010.
Some other community groups and programmes within the
Mirrabooka Local Area include the Mirrabooka Seniors Club,
Mirrabooka Action Group, Community for Children’s Initiative, the
Smith Family, Anglicare, Youth Leadership program and the
Literary Program (run through the Mirrabooka Library).
The City has received funding from the Settlement Grant
Programme, provided by the Department of Immigration and
Citizenship (DIAC) for a Youth Mentor Project. The Youth Mentor
Project will work within a community development framework to
engage recently arrived refugees and their communities (mainly in
the Mirrabooka area) in group workshops and activities. The project
hopes to help young refugees adapt to Australian school practices
through advancing their literacy and numeracy skills.
The City of Stirling also allows organisations and community groups
to apply for funding in order to assist in the staging of community
events via its Cultural Development Fund (CDF). The City of Stirling
realises that cultural diversity is an important asset to the
Mirrabooka Local Area and new programs and initiatives are
continually being created and evolved to cater to diverse community
needs. To stay up to date, visit the City of Stirling website or call the
City’s main enquiry line.
Community Facilities
In addition to community programmes, there are also many facilities
that service the Local Area that provide for local recreational,
community and cultural development needs. The Mirrabooka
Regional Centre includes many community facilities for residents
and visitors including the Mirrabooka Library, the Metropolitan
Migrant Resource Centre, Dryandra Community Centre, Mirrabooka
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Community Centre, Sudbury Community House and Herb Graham
Recreation Centre. The City has a long-term vision for community
development at the Mirrabooka Regional Centre, which sets out to
create a defined sense of place, develop community capacity and to
make the centre a safe place to be. Within the Local Area
boundaries there is also an oval at Fragrant Gardens Reserve as
well as numerous pocket parks which can also provide for
community development and recreational needs. Meanwhile the
nearby recently developed Balga Aquatic Centre (Leisurepark
Balga) provides various swimming and sporting facilities, sports
programmes and meeting places.
as shopping centres and public reserves, adequate lighting, and
safe roads and footpaths.
Safety and Security
Safety and security are often key concerns for community members
and ‘being a safe place to live’ will often be an important aspect of
people’s vision for the future of their Local Area. There are higher
crime levels in the Mirrabooka Local Area than in other parts of the
City of Stirling and the State, yet crime rates remain lower than 0.01
incidences per person per month. Providing opportunities to
establish stronger community networks and promoting community
programmes and facilities, generates opportunities to increase local
safety and security.
The City of Stirling’s Community Safety department facilitates the
development of a safe and secure environment through the
operation of a 24-hour security patrol service. This is a citywide
service, which attends to a wide range of matters including graffiti,
vandalism, anti-social behaviour and theft. It also provides safety
advice to the community. Community Safety also works closely with
the Western Australian Police and has helped Police make
numerous arrests throughout the City.
The creation of a safe and secure environment is also facilitated
through appropriate urban design and layout of public spaces such
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
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Community Amenities
Shopping Centres
• Mirrabooka Village
• Mirrabooka Square*
Major Parks & Reserves
• Bush Forever Sites
• Dryandra Pendula Reserve
• Fragrant Gardens Reserve
• Redunca Coronata Reserve
• Apple Blossom Polyantha
Reserve
Schools
• John Septimus Roe Anglican
School
• Dryandra Primary School
• Boyare Primary School
Community Facilities/Clubs
• Mirrabooka Community
Centre
• Sudbury Community House
• Dryandra Community Centre
• Mirrabooka Library*
• Metropolitan Migrant
Resource Centre*
• Herb Graham Recreation
Centre*
• Mirrabooka Seniors Club
• Mirrabooka Action Group
*Just outside but serving Local Area
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Natural Environment Profile
There is increasing recognition of need to maintain natural
environmental values and work towards enhancing such values,
upon the advent of local and global environmental issues such as
pollution, land degradation and climate change. There is generally a
need to consider natural assets such as water-bodies and bushland
as well as other practices which can contribute to healthy
environmental outcomes.
Geography
The Mirrabooka Local Area is within the Swan Coastal Plain, which
is a geographic feature that lies directly west of the Darling Scarp.
The Area forms part of the elevated hilly (Spearwood Yellow Sands)
planting zone, which formed over the last 10,000 to 140,000 years.
Within this zone there are many species of plants and animals that
naturally occur (which are outlined in Appendix 1).
Native Flora and Fauna of the Local Area - Cats Paw, Shingle Back Lizard
and Cowslip Orchid (photographs courtesy of local photographer Mr Fred
Coles).
Natural Vegetation
Mirrabooka Regional Bushland, which is south of Boyare Avenue
and Australis Avenue, and the bushland strip along Alexander
Drive, provide green relief to the Local Area. These areas are Bush
Forever sites. Following guidelines set by the World Conservation
Union, Bush Forever aims to protect at least 10% of the 20 original
vegetation complexes within the Swan Coastal Plain part of
metropolitan Perth, and to conserve threatened ecological
communities. The State Government controls development and
land clearing at these sites, yet the City also recognises their
importance and considers how to improve their ecological integrity.
A number of parks and reserves which are located throughout the
residential areas of the Mirrabooka Local Area also contribute to the
area’s natural environmental values.
The conservation of natural areas involves the protection from loss,
misuse or further degradation; removal of threatening processes
(e.g. weed eradication, fire prevention, pest and disease control
etc); and rehabilitation through natural and assisted regeneration
The City of Stirling has in place a Natural Areas Conservation team
dedicated to the planning and management of natural areas.
For conservation of urban bushlands to promote local biodiversity,
the City of Stirling has established Green Plan 2. The plan aims for
the conservation of natural vegetation areas and wetlands, the
development of ecological links between these areas and
rehabilitation of bushlands and wetlands. A key emphasis of this
strategy is to protect and manage several smaller remnant
bushlands in the same comprehensive manner as the larger
regionally significant bushlands, thereby strengthening ecological
linkages. Ten reserves in the Mirrabooka Local Area are identified
as important bushland areas in the Green Plan, whilst natural
vegetation at Dryandra Primary and along the median strips along
major roads such as Reid Highway also form important bushland
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areas and ecological linkages. (It is of note that bushland within the
Alexander Drive and Beach Road median strips is managed by the
City of Swan and City of Wanneroo respectively and is thus beyond
of the direct control of the City of Stirling).
occurring over these areas. Special development controls apply to
activities and land uses regarding underground water. The
preservation of natural vegetation also invariably helps to maintain
the under ground water quality.
Public Open Space
There are 20 parks and reserves across the Mirrabooka Local Area
that provide for diverse functions. These spaces include large active
recreation reserves such as sports fields, large and small areas of
natural bushland, community social spaces and smaller parks
popular for children’s play, dog walking and other passive
recreation. The size, use and quality of these spaces vary from
reserve to reserve, as does the environmental and social value of
each space.
Natural Bushland near Dryandra Primary School
The City of Stirling also is currently developing a Local Biodiversity
Strategy. Assessment of all natural areas is currently being
undertaken as one of the steps in the development process. The
condition and diversity of plants and animals in all bushlands,
wetlands and coastal dunes are currently being determined through
this assessment.
Water Issues
Part of the Gnangara Water Mound, which is a major source of
public water supply, is situated beneath the Mirrabooka Local Area.
The Mirrabooka Area forms part of an Underground Water Pollution
Control Area which is a priority water source protection area for
public drinking water supply. This classification is allocated by the
Waters and Rivers Commission which regulates land use activities
Flora Bunda Reserve
The City is facing increasing public pressure to improve the
standard of public spaces, with high community expectations in
some areas on the appearance of and facilities in parks. A recent
improvement was made to the Flora Bunda Reserve to add new
seating areas, new play equipment and improve landscaping. Yet
community demands for reticulation, mowing and lighting, or
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facilities such as barbeques or tennis courts can not always be met
due to constraints such as budget limitations or bore water licence
restrictions. Increased pressure on public open space can also
threaten the environmental values of such spaces.
There are also many different priorities throughout communities,
which affect how public open space is used. For instance, some
people may prefer more space for informal and passive activities,
whereas others prefer more space for organised sport. Others may
place greater value on natural, undeveloped and bushland areas.
As such, reserves need to be planned to appropriately
accommodate various needs and user groups.
The City has prepared a Public Open Space Strategy to ensure a
high quality and sustainable network of parks and reserves across
the City. The Strategy establishes objectives for the amount and
location of public open space and the facilities different types of
spaces require. The Strategy also considers the possibility of
disposing some small under-utilised spaces to fund improvement of
other spaces, so that appropriate parks in the Local Area can have
more facilities in addition to management and development
practices. A review of reserves in the Mirrabooka Local Area will be
conducted after adoption of the Strategy, in order to develop a
Public Open Space Plan for the Local Area.
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Built Environment Profile
The built environment and land uses of a place will invariably affect
how a place meets community needs, how activities in a place are
undertaken by community members and the character of the place.
Key considerations for planning for the built environment include:
• Ensuring land uses provide for activities which meet
community needs;
• Provision of housing types that cater for the residential
population;
• Provision of building styles that positively contribute to local
character and sense of place.
Land Use, Zoning and Density
Land across the City of Stirling is zoned under the City’s District
Planning Scheme No.2. Zones set out what a piece of land can be
used for and how it can be developed (such as height, parking and
landscaping requirements). District Planning Scheme No.2 was first
adopted in 1985 and a draft new scheme – Local Planning Scheme
No.3 has been prepared, advertised and is awaiting final approval
from the Western Australian Planning Commission (though Council
is to give due regard to Local Planning Scheme in the interim
period). Development and land use in the City is also governed by
various State Government plans and policies, including Network
City, the Metropolitan Region Scheme and Residential Design
Codes.
The City’s District Planning Scheme No.2 zones the residential
component of the Mirrabooka Local Area as Residential R20, which
is low-density development with average lot sizes of 500m². The
remainder of the Mirrabooka Local Area is largely zoned Regional
Reserve in the Metropolitan Region Scheme and District Planning
Scheme No.2 with other sites in the Local Area zoned Public Open
Space, Business and Primary School. There are no major changes
to zoning as part of Local Planning Scheme 3 to these either.
Housing Diversity
Most development in the Local Area occurred in the early to mid
1980’s, with single houses on lots of approximately 700m²-800m².
There is minimal housing diversity within the Local Area with most
of the housing stock consisting of single detached dwellings (95%).
There exists a small percentage of apartments and terrace / town
houses within the Mirrabooka Local Area, with these making up
3.9% and 6.5% of the total range of housing types respectively.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Mirrabooka Housing Types
apartments terrace/town houses single houses
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Household Structures
Meanwhile, the Mirrabooka Local Area has a significant family
focus, with approximately half of the household types consisting of
nuclear families (52.5%), and lesser proportions of one parent
families (24.6%) and couples without children (21.3%). There is an
average of 3.2 persons per household and 1.2 persons per
bedroom, within the Local Area. Such household structures need be
considered in conjunction with the provision of housing to see if
local housing needs are being met. There may however be special
needs groups that the current housing stock does not provide for
adequately such as lone-person households. These community
aspects will be considered when exploring potential rezoning
opportunities.
Housing Market
From 2001 to 2006, there has been a decrease in the number and
percentage of owned homes within the Local Area, with 489 homes
(20.2%) being owned in 2001 and 420 homes (17%) in 2006. This
is reflective of the previous housing boom in Western Australia and
Perth, which saw an increase in housing prices across the board in
addition to changes in the demographic structure of households.
Recent global economic shifts which have created economic
instability throughout Australia, have affected the state of affordable
housing all the more. The fall in housing affordability can be seen to
significantly affect low to middle income families. Low-income
earners can be impacted by the escalating prices of private rentals
in addition to the scarcity of affordable public and community
housing. For people who are new to the country with culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds, uncertainty and stress in finding
and maintaining affordable housing can be an extra pressure that
can be damaging to overall states of wellbeing.
Within the Mirrabooka Local Area, the number of dwellings rented
from a Government landlord is double the City of Stirling average
for a suburb, although the overall number of leased properties
within Mirrabooka and the City of Stirling are similar. This is evident
that a large proportion of the Mirrabooka Local Area residents rely
on public and community housing which needs to be adequately
taken into account in the future planning of the area.
Built form
In addition to houses within the Mirrabooka Local Area, there are
many other buildings which serve the community. These include
retail premises, community centres and halls, recreation facilities,
schools and religious meeting places.
Mirrabooka Mosque Dryandra Primary School
There is generally no discernable building character throughout the
Local Area (although character is ultimately influenced by
perceptions and values of community members). There are no
design guidelines for the area which would otherwise work towards
providing a consistent built-form.
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.
Although most of the development in the Mirrabooka Local Area
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
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occurred in the early to mid 1980s, there is much cultural and
historic significance in the area that may be recognised by the City
in terms of heritage significance.
The City of Stirling maintains a Heritage List and a Municipal
Inventory of Heritage Places to record significant places. At present
there are no buildings within the Local Area that are on either list.
However, there is opportunity for this to change in the future if
deemed desirable and or necessary.
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Economic Development Profile
Local economic development plays an important role in the
development of sustainable communities. Different places take on
different economic functions, with economic activity generally
concentrated in commercial centres and industrial areas. It is
becoming increasingly recognized that having a greater variety of
land uses within commercial centres and high levels of activity in
such centres is important for providing local economic and
employment opportunities, satisfying community needs and
developing community focal points. This also reduces the need to
travel long distances for work or to access goods and services. This
model is advocated within Network City, the State Government
Strategy for the Perth-Peel Region. Some centres take on local
functions and should fulfill local needs while others take on more
regional-level functions. It is important that regional centres respond
to needs and priorities of surrounding areas.
Economic development within other areas may however be
constrained by a desire to maintain the area as predominately
residential. Yet, economic development still forms an important part
of developing healthy communities in such areas. There is a need
to consider access to employment, education and training
opportunities in Local Areas and how these fit within broader social
and economic development objectives. As part of moves to reduce
travel demand and increase economic diversity, home businesses
may also play an important role in Local Area development.
Economic Role
The current role of the Mirrabooka Local Area is mostly residential.
There is one commercial centre in the Mirrabooka Local Area itself,
“Mirrabooka Village” providing for local and convenience shopping
needs. Mirrabooka Village consists of 1273m 2 of Net Lettable Area
and is classified as a ‘neighbourhood centre’ in the City’s Draft
Local Commercial Strategy. It is projected to be able to expand to
2333m 2 by 2026, so as to ensure that local needs are met and
increase the centre’s offering. The City helps to implement
improvements to local centres through its Local Centres
Improvement Programme. This programme looks to promote
sustainable economic and physical development in local centres
and maintain access to local services in local communities.
Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre
Mirrabooka Regional Centre
Most other commercial activity around the Mirrabooka Local Area is
focused on Mirrabooka Regional Centre (located between Reid
Highway, Yirrigan Drive, Mirrabooka Avenue and Northwood Drive).
This centre includes a major shopping complex “Mirrabooka
Square” and various other commercial and civic facilities. This
centre serves a regional function, serving suburbs such as
Mirrabooka, Balga, Westminster and Dianella and is identified as a
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
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major activity centre within Network City. As such, despite its
location beyond the Local Area, the development of the Mirrabooka
Regional Centre is still highly significant to residents of the Local
Area.
As mentioned earlier, the Mirrabooka Regional Centre is currently
the subject of an urban revitalisation project which aims to
encourage a greater range of activities in the centre and create a
strong hub. To date, Council has adopted Scheme Amendments to
District Planning Scheme No.2, a Draft Outline Development Plan
(Concept Plan), Urban Style Guide and Design Guidelines to outline
the direction and controls for redevelopment within the Mirrabooka
Regional Centre.
Malaga Industrial Area
The nearby Malaga Industrial Area (which is located in the City of
Swan) is a rapidly growing industrial/commercial estate which
provides various commercial facilities such as retail, showrooms,
financial services and employment opportunities in retail,
manufacturing and service industries. It serves as a major
employment destination for Mirrabooka Local Area residents.
Local Developments
There may still be opportunities for further expansion of economic
activity within the Local Area itself. At present the redevelopment of
the Atlas Brickwork Site into a business park is possible, which
could diversify and increase local employment opportunities. At this
stage there are no definitive plans for the Atlas Site though.
Employment and Income Profile
Workplace Locations
Given the mostly residential nature of the Mirrabooka Local Area,
there are few employment opportunities within the bounds of the
Local Area itself. 88% of residents work beyond the Local Area –
with 25% of residents working in the inner Perth area and
surrounds. Only 12% of local residents work within Mirrabooka. This
figure includes those who work in the nearby Mirrabooka Regional
Centre but could also represent those who work at home or at the
local centre.
Labour Force and Unemployment
53% of residents are within the labour force which is lower than the
City of Stirling average of 61% (this figure for Mirrabooka having
decreased since 2001 most likely due to population shifts). 6.5% of
residents are unemployed compared to the average of 3.6% of
residents City-wide. Yet the unemployment rate for Mirrabooka
Local Area reduced by almost 7% between 2001 and 2006.
Occupations and Industry
Main employment fields for Mirrabooka Local Area residents include
manufacturing, retail trade and health care/social assistance. The
proportion of the population that works in manufacturing in the Local
Area is double that found City-wide, while the proportion of those
engaged in education/training and professional based professions
is notably lower. The most common occupations for Local Area
residents are labourers and technical/trade based occupations.
There are a much lower proportion of residents who are employed
in managerial or professional roles in the Local Area.
Income Profile
Analysis of household income levels in Mirrabooka in 2006
compared to City of Stirling shows that there was a smaller
proportion of high income households (those earning $1,700 per
week or more) and a larger proportion of low income households
(those earning less than $500 per week).
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Education, Training and Local Skill Base
Qualifications
The proportion of residents in the Mirrabooka Local Area who have
qualifications (tertiary or vocational) is approximately 24% whereas
42% of residents hold qualifications City-wide. Approximately 40%
of Mirrabooka Local Area residents have completed high school,
while 50% of the City’s residents have completed high school.
Places of Education
The Mirrabooka Local Area consists of two government primary
schools (Boyare and Dryandra Primary) as well as John Septimus
Roe Anglican Community School, which has students from
kindergarten to Year 12. Mercy College is also located near the
Local Area, as is Balga TAFE which provides a number of
technological, trade and business courses. The high number of
schools and high proportion of youth in the Local Area is reflected in
the higher than average proportion of residents who attend
educational institutions in the area. The following chart outlines the
proportion of the residents in the Local Area attending each type of
educational facility, compared to the City of Stirling overall.
Mirrabooka
Local Area
City of
Stirling
Primary Secondary TAFE University
10.4% 7.7% 3.7% 3.0%
6.9% 5.3% 2.3% 5.3%
the Edmund Rice Centre provide local youth with leadership and
team-building skills, for instance.
Local Skill Sets and Capacity Building
In order to maximise the extent to which local economic and
employment needs are fulfilled, effort is needed to continually
identify local economic and business opportunities, match local skill
sets with local employment bases and capture innovation and
enterprise in the community.
Diversity in the community can provide much scope for the
development of innovative enterprise and can generate a wide
range of skills within communities. It can also generate the need for
special training and learning programmes, so as to effectively
harness this potential, as well as unique commercial establishments
such as community markets.
The Balga TAFE provides educational opportunities to suit the
Local Area’s major employment fields and suit local employment
opportunities, notwithstanding the diversity of courses offered and
the importance of activity and employment diversification in local
economic development. The various community organisations that
operate from Mirrabooka Regional Centre also play an important
role in harnessing local capacity.
There are also a variety of community-based education and training
programmes which operate near the Mirrabooka Local Area which
provide opportunities for local residents, in addition to the important
role they play in community development. Organisations such as
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Transport and Movement Network Profile
The transport and movement network influences how people carry
out a variety of activities and can have significant impact on local
communities and development. The ways that transport needs are
planned are particularly significant given the impact of increasing
financial costs of transportation on communities, the effects of car
use and traffic congestion on quality of life and the urban form, as
well as global environmental and socio-economic issues such as
climate change and peak-oil.
Current reliance on motor vehicles for transport is generally
considered unsustainable in contrast to public transport, cycling and
walking. These are more affordable, present fewer environmental
costs, and provide opportunities for the development of healthy and
safe communities. It is this context that underpins the following
profile of local transport and movement networks for the Mirrabooka
Local Area.
The City is developing an Integrated Transport Strategy which aims
to encourage more sustainable and efficient transportation, a more
accessible and equitable transport system and promotes public
transport over private transport. It encourages (among other things)
the development of local centres and linking these with public
transport as well as strategic improvements to pedestrian and
cyclist networks.
Transportation Infrastructure
The Mirrabooka Local Area, like much of the Perth Metropolitan
Region, has been largely developed with motorist accessibility in
mind and with less provision for walking, cycling and public
transport.
Roads Network, Traffic and Road Management
The Mirrabooka Local Area is bound by four regional roads – Reid
Highway (a primary regional road), Alexander Drive, Beach Road
and Mirrabooka Avenue. Reid Highway connects the area with key
employment destinations such as Balcatta and connects with
Mitchell Freeway. The City controls all local roads and some
regional roads such as Alexander Drive, Beach Road and
Mirrabooka Avenue, whereas Main Roads Western Australia
controls Reid Highway.
In addition, the City has also lobbied for construction of overpasses
at the intersections of Reid Highway and Alexander Drive and
Mirrabooka Avenue. Numerous accidents have occurred at these
intersections in recent times. The former State Government
committed to the construction of the Alexander Drive overpass. As
yet there has been no funding commitment towards construction of
an overpass at Mirrabooka Avenue.
Pedestrian Amenity
The Mirrabooka Local Area has been designed around a curvilinear
and cul-de-sac layout, a result of 1970s and 1980s planning. In
more recent times, difficulties associated with such street patterns
have become evident. These include poor pedestrian legibility
(ability to clearly see where you are in the area) and permeability
(ability to easily get through the area). This is clearly evident in the
Pedestrian Footpath Network diagram below. There is currently a
lack of direct paved routes for pedestrians to take. These issues
can discourage walking and cycling and given the lack of other
pedestrians about, people may also feel less safe walking.
Pedestrian Access Ways can however provide some links between
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areas and Council maintains and upgrades these where appropriate
to do so.
many streets without footpaths, thereby limiting the connectivity and
safety of the pedestrian network. The City will develop a policy
which aims to address gaps in the current network, to be based
upon the findings of the Strategic Footpath Review project.
Public Transport
The Local Area is generally poorly serviced by public transport.
While bus services run through the area and to Mirrabooka Bus
Station and along Alexander Drive into Perth City, the area is not
close to rail transport, nor high frequency transit (bus routes are
illustrated on page 41).
The Public Transport Authority is ultimately responsible for public
transport, but the City can work with the Authority to provide input
into bus routes, stop locations and shelters. Currently, bus stops
and shelters do not create an attractive or very safe environment for
patrons to wait. The poor quality pedestrian network also limits the
extent to which people may use public transport.
Pedestrian Footpath Network Mirrabooka
The quality of pedestrian environments also tends to influence
travel behaviour. There are numerous impediments to pedestrian
amenity in the Local Area such as large setbacks, a lack of street
activation, poor building design and lack of street-trees. In addition,
as the Local Area has not been designed to maximise accessibility
to key destinations such as shopping centres and community
facilities either, opportunities for pedestrian trips are further
reduced.
The City is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of
local footpaths. While most major roads have footpaths, there are
The City can also influence the land use around public transport so
as to capitalise on public transport provision. A local bus service
connects Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre and surrounding
facilities such as the mosque. Yet, the integration between these
activities and public transport is limited by way of poor centre and
bus stop/shelter design.
Cycling
Cyclist amenity is provided in the Local Area by way of pedestriancyclist
shared paths. Shared paths however often present
pedestrian-cyclist conflicts. The lack of street-connectivity across
the Local Area has also resulted in the creation of a generally
disjointed cyclist network and there are no connections between the
Local Area and the metropolitan wide Perth Bicycle Network. It is
also important for end-of-trip facilities (such as bicycle parking) to
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e provided at important locations such as shopping centres to fully
provide for cyclist journeys.
Primary School to identify “Safe Routes to School” as parts of
efforts to encourage sustainable transport use.
Travel Behaviour
Most movement throughout the Mirrabooka Local Area is by private
motor vehicle, reflecting the poor amenity and provision for
alternate transport modes in the area. Motor vehicle use is most
common for trips beyond the Local Area. Most public transport use
is between the Local Area and Perth CBD for work trips, and the
highest incidence of walking is for exercise/sport within the Local
Area (although this may not necessarily constitute walking for
transport).
The lack of provision for walking, cycling and public transport and
high levels of car dependence is particularly concerning for
disadvantaged sectors of the community such as the disabled,
elderly, low-income earners and migrant communities. Such sectors
may have less access to private motor vehicle transport.
TravelSmart
Travel patterns are influenced by both the provision of transport
infrastructure, but also by people’s awareness of how this
infrastructure is to be used. The City’s TravelSmart programme is a
successful Australian community-based programme that helps
people make smarter choices about the way they travel. The focus
of TravelSmart is to work with individuals, schools and workplaces
to encourage walking, cycling and public transport use in order to
reduce car use. There are also different attitudes towards travel
which impact transport patterns. If the transport system does not
account for commuter behaviour, attitudes and lifestyles; it is
unlikely to be effective. Informing, educating and promoting
sustainable transport options are central intiatives of the
TravelSmart programme. To date, the City has worked with Boyare
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Part 4:
Community Engagement
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Community Engagement Process
The City of Stirling understands the importance of planning with
local communities for the future of Local Areas. Benefits of
collaborative planning between the City and community are many,
and include:
• Providing more balanced and fair plans that meet both
community and City objectives;
• Increasing understanding of community and City priorities
(shared learning);
• Strengthening community bonds to build a stronger sense of
community;
• Improving communication between the City and the public; and
• Identifying outcomes that are more likely to meet the needs of
local communities.
Plan for local places to develop identity and pride, and to
increase social and cultural capital, by engaging the
community in decision making.
WA Network City strategy
Community engagement runs throughout the lifespan of each Local
Area Planning project. Each project begins with surveys followed by
workshops. Community priorities and values ascertained then form
an integral part of each Local Area Plan. By taking this approach,
the City is able to move beyond the traditional community
consultation model of simply advising people of planning proposals
and inviting public comment on them.
A variety of methods were used to engage a broad range of
community members of the Mirrabooka Local Area. These methods
are outlined below. People were also able to submit written or email
comments, suggestions or petitions.
Community Surveys
Surveys were sent to the Mirrabooka community to measure the
values, attitudes and priorities of community members across a
range of topics and issues. The survey was also used to raise
awareness of the Local Area Planning project itself. Survey results
were also used as a starting point for more in-depth deliberation at
community forums.
The Community Survey was posted to 4,000 randomly selected
residents within the Local Area and a total of 354 were returned.
This provides a reliability of +/-5 at 95%, offering 95% assurance
that results are no more than 5% different to results that would be
received if the entire population had been surveyed.
Community Forums
Several community-planning forums were held between April and
December 2008 to bring community members together to plan for
the next 10-15 years of the Local Area. General community forums
were open to all members of the Mirrabooka community including
residents, property owners, business proprietors, resident groups
and community organisations. Other stakeholders such as State
Government agencies were also invited.
The first forums were held on 7 and 8 April 2008 at the Boyare
Primary School, with approximately fifty students participating, to
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ensure the diverse ages of Mirrabooka had opportunity for input.
Then on 12 April 2008 a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
(CaLD) Forum was held, attracting approximately fifteen
participants, to ensure the culturally diverse residents of Mirrabooka
could provide input. Additionally, on Saturday morning 19 April 2008
the general community forum was held at the Herb Graham
Recreation Centre, attracting another thirty participants.
Then on 24 and 25 July 2008 a workshop was held at the Dryandra
Primary School with approximately thirty students, to enable an
even greater understanding of younger community needs. Finally,
the Aboriginal community forums were held 22 September and 3
December 2008 at the City of Stirling Administrative Centre with
approximately ten participants overall.
Priorities for planning for:
• movement and transport;
• buildings and land uses;
• activity centres and community hubs; and
• recreation and public open space.
3. Community Building:
Contribution of community members in achieving their vision for the
future of the area.
4. Reflections:
Reviewing the vision; individual and table top three priorities; and
rating personal satisfaction with the forum.
Community engagement experts Learning Horizons and the
Community Arts Network of WA (CAN WA) assisted in designing
and conducting the forums. The forums included presentations by
the City and facilitated discussions in small tables, feedback
between the tables, and a reflection session. Participants’
comments and ideas were recorded individually and also on a ‘table
worksheet’ that recorded consensus themes and priorities for each
table. The two primary school sessions also involved hip hop
workshops to engage the young people through a creative process.
Both primary schools created a number of songs about the
Mirrabooka area, some of which are located in Appendix 2 and
Appendix 3.
The four sessions at each forum were:
1. Community Vision:
Individual and table visions for the Local Area in 20 years' time.
2. Priorities and Preferences:
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Community Priorities
To implement the Mirrabooka Local Area Plan and consistently
work towards realising the vision for the future, it is essential to
identify the most important actions and ideas from the community,
and the issues that need to be addressed first. It is also necessary
to identify what can realistically be achieved in a short time and
what actions require longer term investigation or implementation. It
must also be recognised that all ideas cannot be achieved during
the lifespan of the current plan due to time and resourcing
constraints. Instead, efficient planning requires selecting the
proposals that have the most support, are most needed in the local
economy, community or environment, or will have the most
significant impact or benefit. For these reasons, issues or actions
that are important, most needed and significantly beneficial to the
largest number of individuals, sectors of the community, collective
community, the local economy and environment are identified
through community engagement and will form the basis of
implementation.
Community Survey
The community survey asked participants to consider how much
they would like to see the area change over the coming 20 years.
Almost all respondents wanted some form of change over the next
20 years, with 57% wanting noticeable change and 31% wanting
significant change (“totally different”).
A significant element of desired change was strengthening of the
area’s character. While residents did not consider the Local Area to
have a strong character that makes it distinct from other areas of
Perth, 88% of respondents indicated the desire to strengthen this
aspect of the place. Elements considered most important in
strengthening local character included the overall
feeling/appearance of the place, landscaping and front verges, and
to some extent family types and natural environment.
Respondents also expressed a strong desire for improvements to
evening and entertainment activities. This was reflected in a variety
of responses to different questions: 85% felt there was not
enough/not enough range of such facilities in the Local Area; 31%
of comments regarding what the area most needed related to the
addition of cinemas/entertainment amenities; and a further 17% of
comments on what was most needed related to the need for
cafes/restaurants.
Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre (Honeywell Boulevard
Neighbourhood Centre), while the favourite place within the Local
Area, was also considered the place most in need of improvement.
Suggested improvements included upgrading the centre’s
appearance and cleanliness and increasing the retail offering – with
particular concern over the ex-service station site. Other places
considered in need of improvement included roads and verges,
Mirrabooka Bus Station and Mirrabooka Square Shopping
Centre/Mirrabooka Regional Centre (outside the periphery of the
Local Area), and a variety of local parks.
What places in the Local Area are most in need of improvement?
1. Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre (inc. petrol station site)
2. Roads and verges
3. Mirrabooka Bus Station
4. Mirrabooka Square Shopping Centre/Regional Centre
5. Local Parks
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Community surveys also asked respondents to identify one thing
missing in the area that they would most like to see. Cinemas and
The community survey also asked respondents to identify one thing
missing in the Local Area that they would like to see. Cinemas and
entertainment facilities were a top priority, followed by cafes and
restaurants, public transport (including a train), recreation facilities
(including a pool), and a range of other facilities and amenities.
What is the one thing missing in the area that you would most like
to see?
1. Cinemas/Entertainment
2. Cafes/Restaurants
3. Public Transport (inc. train)
4. Recreation facilities/Pool
5. Other
Community Forums & Workshops
As part of the Mirrabooka Local Area Planning project, the City
undertook community engagement workshops with a wide range of
community members, due to the noticeably diverse community.
Community engagement workshops were as follows:
1. General workshop for all interested residents and business
owners;
2. Workshop for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
(CaLD) sector of the community, involving interpreters and
participants from a range of non-English speaking
backgrounds;
3. Two youth workshops – with Boyare Primary School and
Dryandra Primary School;
4. Two workshops with Aboriginal representatives from the
Local Area.
All of the workshops for the Local Area were designed to identify
community priorities. Due to the difference in community sectors
represented (and thus to some degree outcomes), priorities are
discussed for workshops 1-4 individually below.
1. General workshop
Top three priorities for each focus area were as follows:
• Community Development: i. Safety; ii. Youth programs;
iii. Cultural events
• Natural Environment: i. Bushland rejuvenation; ii.
Community facilities within parks; iii. Verges and median
strips – plants, vegetation.
• Housing & Built Environment: i. Mixed zoning –
balance for age groups; ii. Redevelopment/higher quality
(e.g. Atlas site); iii. More affordable housing.
• Economic Development: i. Increased business
opportunities, small shopping centres; ii. Markets; iii.
Expanded and improved business sites.
• Transport: i. Bus connections to train; ii. Improved
security and cleanliness on buses and trains; iii. Train
and bus access.
2. CaLD community workshop
Top three priorities for each focus area were as follows:
• Community Development: i. General events where people
can meet; ii. Opportunity to retain own cultures; iii. Womenonly
recreational facilities/activities
• Natural Environment: i. More sporting facilities; ii.
Connections through green spaces including places to sit,
walkways and cycleways; iii. Child-friendly parks & reserves
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• Housing & Built Environment: i. More affordable rental
housing; iii. Hospital/emergency medical centre/small health
centre at Honeywell Boulevard; iii. Range of housing choice
• Economic Development: i. Market open 6-7 days a week;
ii. More childcare services; iii. Community market to sell
local/homemade food, art and crafts etc.
• Transport: i. Train in/nearby Local Area; ii. Increase in
number and frequency of bus services; iii. Lighting on
streets at night and more street lighting
3a. Boyare Primary School workshop
Top three priorities for each focus area were as follows:
• Community Development: i. Increased accessibility to
outdoor sporting & recreational facilities; ii. Introduce local
initiatives to decrease illegal graffiti; iii. Increase availability
and accessibility of public facilities such as water fountains,
toilets and seating in public places
• Natural Environment: i. Improvement of Apple Blossom
Reserve; ii. Improvement of the Bush Forever Site; iii.
Preservation of the existing parks and bushland
• Housing & Built Environment: i. Increase diversity of land
uses to allow for better range of businesses, facilities and
use of open space
• Economic Development: i. Maintain existing retail and
childcare facilities in Mirrabooka; ii. Increase opportunities
for retail businesses in Mirrabooka and sporting and fitness
facilities
• Transport: i. Increase traffic calming; ii. Increase childfriendly
paths and tracks for increased safety and exercise
3b. Dryandra Primary School workshop
Top three priorities for each focus area were as follows:
• Community Development: i. Increase community
accessibility to outdoor sporting and recreational facilities; ii.
Introduce local initiatives to decrease illegal graffiti; iii.
Ensure all public parks and facilities are kept safe and free
from drug paraphernalia
• Natural Environment: i. Improvement of Redunca
Coronata Reserve; ii. Improvement of the Bush Forever site;
iii. Improvement of Appleblossom Reserve; iv. Increased
trees
• Housing & Built Environment: i. Increase diversity of land
uses to allow for better range of businesses, facilities and
use of open space.
• Economic Development: i. Increased diversity of
businesses in the Mirrabooka area to cater for the needs of
young people, particularly entertainment; ii. Maintain the
current shopping facilities in the area.
• Transport: i. Increase traffic calming; ii. Increase childfriendly
paths and tracks for increased safety and exercise
4. Aboriginal community workshops
Top three priorities for each focus area were as follows:
• Community Development: i. Ongoing designated
Aboriginal venue; ii. Cross-cultural awareness and
integration; iii. Increased focus on youth
• Natural Environment: i. Environmental education
projects/strategies; ii. Aboriginal role in Environmental
decision making; iii. Bushland and wetland protection
• Housing & Built Environment: i. Increased housing
options – mix of types and densities; ii. Increased number of
affordable dwellings; iii. Equality of housing opportunity
between cultures; iv. Increase quality of housing for
Aboriginal people
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• Economic Development: i. Aboriginal employment at City
of Stirling; ii. Create opportunities for new businesses; iii.
Cultural expression as an attraction
• Transport: i. Community bus; ii. Improve effectiveness of
public transport; iii. Improve safety of public transport
Overall Priorities
Although the separate community workshops have highlighted
many diverse issues and priorities, some similarities can be found.
The overall priorities for the Local Area’s community, based on
collated survey and workshop results are as follows:
1. Local Business Opportunities
Stimulating local economic development is clearly very
important for community members of the Mirrabooka Local
Area. The top priority from community engagement in its entirety
is increasing local business opportunities. The Mirrabooka
Regional Centre Improvement Strategy is envisaged to provide
an extended and diverse range of business opportunities for
both local residents and businesses.
2. Entertainment Facilities (including cafés/restaurants)
The second most important community priority was for an
increase in entertainment facilities, both during the day and
night. Open air cinemas or a cinema complex were suggested
as well as local markets and restaurants. These activities could
be in and around the Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre. This
priority is also linked with the previous local business
development priority, which should be addressed through the
Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy.
3. Range of Housing Choices (including affordability)
Household diversity was also an important issue for most of the
community. There was an identified lack of houses for larger
families as well as a lack in smaller unit/villa type developments
for smaller households. This was also the case for aging
persons requiring smaller houses with less maintenance
needed. Increasing the density in the Local Area will give
landowners the opportunity to provide a diverse range of houses
including more affordable and State housing for different family
types and sizes. Development of a high standard in terms of
quality and appearance is also a priority.
4. Community Safety
The community has also indicated that the safety and security in
the area is lacking. Burglary, theft, anti-social behaviour and
graffiti all contributed to the overall concern for safety and
security of residents. Redevelopment in the area should
encourage a sense of pride and ownership over both public and
private spaces and amenities.
5. Cultural Events, Expression, Awareness and Integration
All workshops indicated that community cohesion could be
improved with an increase in cultural awareness and integration.
Cultural awareness through youth events and activities was also
indicated as a priority in the Local Area. Building and
establishing cultural community centres as well as cultural
expression through markets could simultaneously address
multiple priorities.
6. Maintenance & Safety of Parks, Open Spaces & Improved
Facilities
Having safe, attractive and high quality public open space is a
priority for Mirrabooka residents. This includes rehabilitating and
maintaining several parks and reserves in the Local Area,
creating ownership and pride over green spaces in order to
keep them safe and attractive to all residents.
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7. Train & Bus Access/Services (including transport safety)
The participants at the general community workshop felt that
access to public transport needed to be improved. Participants
made suggestions such as extending bus routes and increasing
the number of services, better bus connection to train stations,
addition of small bus (CAT) services and extension of night-time
bus services.
8. Bushland Preservation/Rejuvenation (inc. education)
The maintenance and management of the Bush Forever site
was highlighted as a concern during workshops. Local
residents, including Aboriginal representatives also indicated
that the community should have input into the planning of
bushland management and should assist with local education
about the natural environment in the area.
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Community Vision
Vision for the Future of the Local Area
Developing a commonly embraced community vision for each Local
Area in the City of Stirling is a principal aim of the Local Area
Planning program. The vision captures 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 Mirrabooka Local Area. Participants
considered their personal vision of what the area would be like in 20
years time and also discussed their views with the others on their
table 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:
Mirrabooka Local Area Community Vision
In the Year 2020 the Mirrabooka Local Area is an area that celebrates its diversity through its social
connectedness and activities, is a welcome open safe environment and is enhanced by local parks,
managed bushland and ‘green’ streetscapes. It has a community that respects differences and one that
is proud of their area.
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Part 5:
Focus Areas
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Community & Cultural Development
Issues & Opportunities
Through the engagement with the Mirrabooka community, many
opportunities and ideas for the future of the Mirrabooka Local Area
as well as the issues currently faced by the community have been
identified. Due to the cultural diversity within the Local Area, various
forms of community engagement were sought in providing the
following information regarding the community needs. These are
discussed under each theme below.
Safety and security
Dialogue with the community has suggested that safety and
security of the area is a major priority – with this emerging as the
fourth overall priority from all parts of community engagement. 45%
of survey respondents were dissatisfied with the overall safety and
security of the area, 62% of respondents indicated concern with
burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour and approximately 55% of
respondents expressed concerns with graffiti and lack of night-time
safety.
At the general community forum open to all members of the Local
Area’s community, ‘enhanced safety’ emerged as the top priority
under the ‘Community & Cultural Development’ focus area, and
Boyare and Dryandra primary school students identified the need to
introduce new initiatives to decrease illegal graffiti as one of their
top priorities. Safety was also a priority for Aboriginal
representatives, who discussed concern over drinking in the park
next to the Bus Station in Mirrabooka Regional Centre, with
suggestions of installing a one mile drinking ban around the pub
nearby, similar to a model used in other Australian States. They
also suggested the possibility of introducing a Noongar Patrol to the
area if that in Northbridge could be proven to be successful.
Safety concerns related to many modes of transportation within the
Local Area, including public transportation, walking and cycling, and
driving, and these are discussed in the ‘Transport & Movement
Network’ focus area. They also related to public open space, and
safety issues and opportunities for improvement are discussed in
the Natural Environment focus area.
The City of Stirling has much to offer in relation to increasing levels
of safety and security in the Local Area by promoting the services it
offers to local residents and businesses, whilst also ensuring its
security patrol has an active presence within the locality. Forum
participants requested 24-hour surveillance. The City currently runs
a 24-hour Community Safety service and provides CCTV in key
crime ‘hotspots’. The City also runs road safety and home safety
campaigns which are available to members of the local community
wishing to become better educated on how to create a safer
neighbourhood. The community can also play an important role in
the local safety and security of the area through actively noting
suspicious behaviour and reporting it. Additionally residents can
engage in community events as much as possible to build social
cohesion within the area. Knowing other people in the street and
neighbourhood are vital elements for a safe community as it fosters
an awareness of normal and abnormal behaviour within the
neighbourhood.
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Stronger Character
The development of a stronger sense of place and character within
the area was desired and deemed necessary by the majority of the
survey respondents (88%) and by the workshop participants. The
survey results also indicated that a noticeable and significant
change was desired for the area, with 57% and 31% of respondents
indicating this respectively. For participants at the general forum,
appearance of the local area was a critical factor in building a local
identity and character. A focus on natural landscaping,
management of natural bushland, verges and streetscapes were all
seen as important. The introduction of Local area ‘entrance
statements’ was also an important factor in building pride in their
local area. The City is currently revising its Public Art Policy which
will assists in facilitation, promotion and support of artworks in
public places that contribute towards creating a ‘sense of place’;
promote the expression of local identity; are responsive to the
culture and character of the community; and enhance the urban
environment. Other contributing factors to stronger character
suggested by the local community included changes to the overall
feeling/appearance of the place, family types and increased activity
within the Local Area.
There is much opportunity to introduce change to the Local Area
while developing a strongly defined character. Focus needs to be
on all the areas mentioned above while also implementing the right
infrastructure and improved and accessible amenities. Survey
responses indicate that Mirrabooka Regional Centre (MRC) is the
favourite place nearby to the Local Area and a potential heart for
the Local Area. Through the MRC Improvement Strategy, this area
will be transformed into a vibrant area accommodating to the needs
of the public while developing the character of the Local Area.
Within the Local Area, Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre is also
noted as a place that is liked by the residents and has potential to
be developed into an activity hub with well defined character.
A major defining characteristic of the Local Area is its cultural
diversity, and this seemed to be valued by all groups engaged with
as part of the Local Area Planning process. Each group recognised
the diversity and different cultures, and greater expression of
different cultures was a commonly held priority. Whether markets
where different cultural groups can sell their wares, galleries and
shops for different types of art and goods, or classes teaching about
different cultures, there were numerous suggestions for turning this
defining characteristic into a major opportunity for the area. This is
discussed in more detail below.
Cultural Expression and Development
All community workshops showed that greater emphasis was
needed in connecting the community while providing opportunity for
cultural expression. As Mirrabooka is made up of a diversity of
cultures and backgrounds, opportunity needs to be provided for this
diversity to be understood and celebrated while the uniqueness of
each culture is preserved. The main suggestions for encouraging
cultural expression and development were for cultural centres and
venues, and for cultural expression events.
Building or establishing cultural centres was a priority at the general
community forum, and suggestions included a multi-cultural centre
that provided events, foods of different cultures, and opportunities
for cultural integration through education and understanding. At
Aboriginal planning workshops, the need for an ongoing designated
Aboriginal venue was top priority. This would provide for community
and cultural activities with art, language and cultural learning and
celebration, and food and activities such as darts and cards to
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provide a safe and regular place to socialise and obtain community
support.
Events to bring the community together have been suggested as a
way to enable an understanding, awareness and integration of the
different cultures within the area. Events involving family sports,
entertainment such as music or outdoor movies, cultural food
events and community markets have been suggested for the area.
Community markets have been identified by many of the
participants at the community workshops as a way to embrace and
celebrate cultural diversity through cultural expression. These
markets could accommodate cultural foods, crafts and wares and
serve as a social platform which would encourage social
integration, awareness and cultural engagement while serving to
increase the community feel and the local economic development of
the area. Cultural expression as an attraction to the area would also
serve to improve tourism and local economic development as well
as enabling a greater character and sense of place.
Cross Cultural Awareness and Integration
Dialogue with the community identified cross cultural awareness
and integration to be significantly in need of attention. Due to the
diversity of cultures within the Local Area, opportunity arises to
educate different sectors of the community on the cultures of other
sectors, whilst also working towards integration and acceptance of
different cultures as part of the one larger community.
At the CaLD Community workshop, community representatives
(largely comprised of recent immigrants) expressed their desire for
a more integrated community. They explained that they didn’t want
different cultural groups separated from other groups, and would
like more opportunities for the different cultural groups in
Mirrabooka to come together to learn more about one another,
learn more English and build relationships. They also expressed
their desire to see Aboriginal people recognised as the first
Australians and for their unique culture.
Aboriginal community members suggested cultural markets that
celebrated the many cultures of Mirrabooka, as well as
opportunities for better integration through increased input and
engagement for the Aboriginal community in City of Stirling
activities. It was hoped that the City would welcome and uptake on
the willingness of the Aboriginal community to become more
involved in the development of the City.
Aboriginal representatives also suggested a number of ways that
this sector of the community could contribute to greater crosscultural
awareness. Suggestions included cultural education
programs for non-Noongar people (including programs/visits to
schools and workplaces) which might include short sessions and
cultural tours of Aboriginal places of significance, ‘Welcome to
Country’ at major openings and events, particularly for key
destinations in the area such a Mirrabooka Square Shopping
Centre and the City of Stirling Civic Centre, an art shop/gallery with
resident artists that provides workshops for youth and kids, and the
naming of places with Aboriginal names, particularly places of
Aboriginal significance.
Youth Focus
All community workshops and forums identified the need to provide
greater support and facilities for the youth of the area. A common
suggestion involved a ‘one stop youth shop’, which would be a safe
and accessible place for youth to hang out, recreate, participate in
programs and have cheap food while engaging with youth of other
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cultures and ages. This would provide the opportunity for specific
programs and facilities to be implemented as youth become more
active and engaged with the centre.
At the general community planning workshop, increased focus was
a priority, with relevant suggestions including community centre
activities, increased free sport and recreation opportunities, a
theatre, more entertainment opportunities (including pools,
cinemas, restaurants and gyms), a skate park, and a ‘one stop’
shop or youth centre.
Culturally specific programs have been suggested as a way to
engage youth more with their own cultural backgrounds in a
supportive way while providing the opportunity for recreation, fun
and learning about other cultures. Holiday programs, accompanied
by a community bus could work to support youth and integrate
cultures while providing positive role models. Programs geared
towards empowering youth to initiate activities and events within the
Local Area would also be highly beneficial.
Aboriginal representatives suggested a number of opportunities to
support and enhance the possibilities for Aboriginal youth in the
area. These included affordable Aboriginal-run sport and
community groups that involved both parents and children, a
regular, ongoing venue for the Aboriginal football team ‘The
Wonderers’, recreational programs for youth involving strong
Aboriginal role models including elders and young leaders, and
weekend camps that provide cultural education through Aboriginal
cultural awareness. An Aboriginal community bus to enable camps,
tours, and safe travel to and from activities and events is
considered vital by this sector of the community.
Entertainment opportunities for youth are also high on the
community’s agenda. These are discussed in the ‘Economic
Development’ focus area.
Public Facilities
Within the Local Area, certain amenities and facilities have been
identified as lacking. The residents of the Local Area have identified
that a hospital or medical facilities are in great need in addition to
increased childcare services and recreational facilities. Honeywell
Boulevard has been identified as a suitable location which could
accommodate increased amenities such as the medical and
childcare facilities.
Boyare Primary School students identified the need to increase
availability and accessibility of public facilities such as water
fountains, toilets and seating in public places.
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 the
provision of an aquatic centre, greater sport and recreation facilities,
and multi-use facilities to support active lifestyles. Students at both
Boyare and Dryandra primary school identified the need to increase
community accessibility to outdoor sporting and recreational
facilities as their top priority in the ‘Community & Cultural
Development’ focus area. The demand for facilities is also linked to
the community’s desire to ensure youth and seniors have adequate
recreation and support facilities and opportunities.
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Stronger Connections and Participation
Community forums identified similar ideas throughout the Local
Area’s community, demonstrating that it has much capacity to
achieve its own goals. Social capacity can be developed through a
collaborative effort involving community members, City of Stirling
and existing community organisations. The City of Stirling already
provides many social support services and cultural and leisure
facilities which local residents can make better use of. New
community groups could also be initiated and developed to hold
social events and in celebration of the local culture and history,
through the harnessing of the established support and partnerships.
Building of social capital, or the social ‘glue’ that binds communities
together, was a high priority for the Mirrabooka Local Area
community. Social capital has two forms – ‘bonding’ social capital,
which is formed between those in the group or sector of the
community members identify with, and ‘bridging’ social capital,
which is formed between members of different sectors of the
community. The Mirrabooka Local Area community expressed the
need to build both types of social capital or connectedness.
In terms of building ‘bridging’ social capital, or good relationships
between different sectors and members of the community, the
desire for more shared experiences and integration was commonly
expressed. Many members of the community consider their cultural
diversity to be a significant asset. Greater community participation
from different sectors (connectedness) was a high priority at the
general community forum. Many suggestions on opportunities to
achieve this outcome were given, including events for all sectors of
the community (e.g. open air film nights, concerts), creation and
strengthening of social networks, sports in local parks, and better
utilisation of the Community Centre.
CaLD community representatives expressed their concern that
Australian culture is very isolating, and that people don’t know their
neighbours. The overarching community vision from CaLD
community representatives involved the Mirrabooka community,
including its families and people from different cultures, coming
together often, to socialise and have fun, with plenty of
opportunities for them to do this. It also involved the Mirrabooka
community, including community groups, having access to a
number of gathering places, at low cost. At the same time, they
identified the need for people in Mirrabooka to feel safe to express
their religion and spirituality, and for many opportunities to express
their culture, including through music and cultural festivals.
In terms of ‘bonding’ social capital, or building links within different
sectors of the community, there was considerable need expressed
also. At CaLD community forums, for example, Muslim women
expressed the need for a time when they could use women-only
sporting facilities alone, as their culture prevented them from
swimming with men, and this meant that they were not able to enjoy
the opportunity of swimming with each other at all. Participants at
Aboriginal workshops discussed numerous cultural development
programs for Aboriginal people (particularly youth), which are
discussed above under ‘Cultural Expression and Development’ and
‘Youth Focus’.
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Community & Cultural Development Outcomes to Achieve
Desired Outcome for the Mirrabooka Local Area
Outcome 1
Cultural expression and development, and integration, is
fostered through dedicated centres or venues, activities and
events.
Outcome 2
The area is safe and secure as people feel safe walking
around the area day and night, on public transport, and in
public spaces such as parks.
Outcome 3
A stronger character for the Local Area, strengthened
through improved appearance and drawing on its unique
cultural diversity, creates pride of place.
Outcome 4
Youth needs in the area are better met, with opportunities
for recreation, education, cultural development, and
interaction with other sectors of the community.
Outcome 5
Public facilities needed by the community are considered in
the development of the built form and public open space,
ensuring comfortable and safe public spaces and local
provision for local needs.
Examples of current or potential actions to achieve this
outcome
• Community and cultural events are held in appropriate locations in
the Local Area
• A local market is established as part of the Mirrabooka Regional
Centre Improvement Strategy
• Cross-cultural events are promoted by the City of Stirling
• The City liases with the Public Transport Authority to increase safety
and security at the Bus Station
• The opportunity for employment of culturally diverse transport
guards is explored
• Investigate the feasibility of an Aboriginal Liaison officer for the
Local Area
• The opportunities for local art to be used in public art displays is
investigated
• The City continues to promote the Adopt-A-Park program
• Provide adequate opportunity for Youth to be involved in
Community activities through the Youth Development Plan
• Activities promoting interaction between all people of the Local Area
are provided and promoted
• Crime prevention through environmental design principles are
considered during design and development stages of the
Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy
• The Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy
incorporates space for public use, for example a ‘Town Square’
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Natural Environment
Issues & Opportunities
Dialogue with the Mirrabooka Local Area has identified the following
issues and opportunities for the natural environment within the
Local Area.
Education
The Aboriginal representatives indicated that educating about
natural environment was the top priority for this focus area. They
suggested that an education program should be developed
including tours around natural environment areas with information
given from an Aboriginal/cultural natural resource management
perspective. The tours could also be run by Local Aboriginal people,
showing and explaining local places identified and protected as
places of significance and explained in the tours.
Another suggestion was that culturally significant stories regarding
natural areas could be shared in public open spaces. This may be
possible by performing at local public events and during smoking
ceremonies or voice recordings of stories could be incorporated into
interpretive signage. Signs could also be placed around natural
areas welcoming new Mirrabooka residents, in an attempt to
broaden and deepen cultural understandings within the community.
Environmental Decision Making
Involving the community in environmental decision making was a
high priority for the Aboriginal representatives. They suggested the
implementation of an Aboriginal representative position on the
City’s Natural Environment Working Group or a separate advisory
group working with the City. This would enable the Aboriginal
community to provide assistance and input into environmental
management from a cultural perspective.
Bushland Protection
The results of the general workshop indicated that the second
highest priority in this focus area was the enhancement of the
natural bushland areas. The group offered suggestions for
enhancing the Bush Forever site with regular cleaning and
maintenance and protecting native plants and fauna. They made
further suggestion that volunteer groups or the establishment of a
Native Flora and Fauna Education Centre would help to achieve
this priority. The Dryandra students also listed the improvement of
the Bush Forever site as a priority for this focus area. The CaLD
community indicated that they would like the natural bushland area
to be maintained and the children from the Boyare Primary School
indicated that they would like to see wildlife encouraged to come
into the area.
As discussed under the previous heading, the Aboriginal
representatives also felt that the Bush Forever sites north of Reid
Hwy require careful management to protect biodiversity. They
suggested that protecting the area against unwanted cars and bikes
entering the site, may be achieved by erecting appropriate barriers
along the site boundaries. The City is currently involved in several
initiatives to increase the environmental sustainability of Local
Areas. These include the creation and protection of natural areas in
public open space and improved irrigation techniques (both
contributing to water efficiency) through eco-zoning and hydrozoning;
the ongoing protection and maintenance of bushland
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through weed control as part of the implementation of the City’s
Green Plan 2; recording and monitoring of flora and fauna species
as part of the City’s Biodiversity Strategy; and the progression of
the Million Trees Initiative which commits to the target of a million
trees across the City by 2020. These are just a few of the numerous
sustainability projects undertaken by the City.
Clean Public Open Space
The survey results indicated that the Mirrabooka Square shopping
centre and the forecourt/public open space area need significant
improvement. The CaLD workshop further reiterated this point and
specifically mentioned the number of trolleys dumped in the pond
as well as the decreasing quality of the pond water. This is planned
to be addressed through the Mirrabooka Regional Centre
Improvement Strategy.
Those who attended the general workshop indicated that there is a
need for more public rubbish bins in parks and reserves in order to
decrease the amount of litter and provide cleaner gathering places
for the community. The CaLD workshop felt that something needed
to be done to monitor and decrease the amount of littering and
illegal dumping in parks and bushland areas. The Dryandra and
Boyare students mentioned this as a problem as well, which is
consistent with the need for more rubbish bins as mentioned in the
general community workshop.
Safety and Security
As mentioned in the Community and Cultural Development focus
area, safety and security is a top priority for the Mirrabooka Local
Area. Further to previous discussion and specific to public open
spaces and natural areas, safety within the Local Area can also be
ensured through the design of parks and public spaces that are
inviting and well lit. Results from all community workshops indicated
that safety within parks and reserves is a major issue to the
community, putting children at risk by playing there or preventing
public engagement with them at all. Students at Dryandra Primary
School identified that ensuring all public parks and facilities are kept
safe and free from drug paraphernalia was a high priority. The
CaLD workshop participants indicated that there is a need to make
parks and reserves more child friendly, removing needles, broken
glass and litter. Concern over drug paraphernalia in parks was
expressed in several of the other community forums as well. This
provides opportunity for safe and friendly paths and tracks to be
established in addition to well maintained and patrolled areas.
These opportunities could also be expanded to include the Bush
Forever site. Creating easily accessible and well marked paths
through the site would likely encourager greater use and
appreciation by residents. The City’s existing community safety
programs are discussed in the Community and Cultural
Development focus area.
Stronger Character
The survey results report that residents want the area to have a
stronger character and respondents generally felt that
improvements to front verges and landscaping will strengthen
character. The general workshop results also indicated that
residents felt the need for entry statements and landscaped signage
points to assist in creating a character for the Local Area. They also
indicated that enhancing road reserves and verges was a priority for
this focus area. Suggestions to address this priority included
planting native plants and trees on median strips and verges.
Whilst the City provides for and maintains medians through its
Streetscape Upgrade Program and verges to some extent through
its ongoing Street Tree Maintenance Program, verges and front
gardens are otherwise the responsibilities of local residents. The
City of Stirling supports more sustainable and attractive verges and
front gardens through the Great Gardens workshops that are
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provided free of charge each year. These provide an excellent
opportunity for residents to learn more about native planting and
waterwise gardens, creating the potential to create enduringly
attractive streetscapes and the opportunity for residents to
contribute to developing the Local Area’s character.
Improvement of Existing Public Open Space
Public open space takes the form of formal parks, large reserves,
active (e.g. for sporting uses) and passive (e.g. for relaxation)
areas, and conservation of natural areas. For Mirrabooka Local
Area community, the improvement of the Local Area overall is tied
with the improvement of open spaces. 48% of survey respondents
were concerned with improving the range and quality of the existing
parks and reserves rather than the amount of open space, 67% of
survey respondents indicating that there were enough parks and
conservation areas.
The survey results also indicated that Local Parks were in the top 5
places in the area that were most in need of improvement. The
general workshop participants felt that improvements and
rejuvenation of existing green areas would create gathering places
for people, enhancing park utilisation, which was the top priority for
this focus area. Specific suggestions for improvement included
general beautification, more public facilities such as toilet blocks
and water fountains, solar lighting, increased use of native
vegetation planting and policing of dogs. The CaLD workshop also
suggested the Bush Forever site needs a clear walking track to
allow further utilisation.
The top priority for this focus area for the CaLD community was
more sporting facilities within parks, such as basketball and
volleyball courts, as well as chairs for resting and walkways for
connecting facilities. They believed an increase in such facilities
would make parks and reserves more child friendly, which was
another priority action for this focus area. The CaLD community
were also concerned about keeping parks and reserves green and
healthy, while using minimal water.
The Dryandra and Boyare students felt that the amount of open
space should remain in the area and the condition of some of the
open space could also be improved upon. This is consistent with
survey and workshop results. Some reserves which were
mentioned as needing improvement were the Redunca Coronata
Reserve and the Apple Blossom Polyantha Reserve. Specific to
Dryandra Primary School, many of the children’s comments and
rhymes focused on the great parks in the Mirrabooka area, with
more than 50% of the children responding with positive comments
about the parks and natural environment in the area. Others also
appreciated the bushland in the area and the natural environment
more generally including the fresh clean air and the trees. The
specific parks and reserves that the school children enjoyed
spending time in were Dryandra Pendula Reserve, the bushland
around Dryandra Primary School and the reserve on Oakleaf Circle.
The City is currently involved in several initiatives to improve parks
and reserves. An existing initiative run by the City is the
WaterSmart parks program, which includes the creation and
protection of natural areas in public open space and improved
irrigation techniques (both contributing to water efficiency). The City
also recently developed a Public Open Space Strategy and is
developing Implementation Plans to develop and manage
recreation and open spaces for current and future community
needs. As part of the Public Open Space Strategy, parks classified
as ‘Community Parks’ will be developed to serve as recreational
and social hubs of communities. The development of a Community
Park in Mirrabooka may help to improve the quality and increase
utilisation of some of the open spaces in the area.
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Natural Environment Outcomes to Achieve
Desired Outcome for the Mirrabooka Local Area
Outcome 1
Key local parks are clean, well maintained and safe, with
amenities such as pathways, meeting places and public
facilities making them more comfortable for everyone.
Outcome 2
A stronger character is developed in Mirrabooka, with high
quality landscaping, entry statements and landscaping.
Outcome 3
Aboriginal community members share their knowledge
about the natural environment, and are able to use their
knowledge of natural resource management in
environmental decision-making about their area.
Outcome 4
Bushland and biodiversity are protected at the Bush Forever
site and throughout the Local Area.
Examples of current or potential actions to achieve this
outcome
• The City continues to promote the Adopt-A-Park program
• More park benches are installed in open spaces
• Continue to implement the Public Open Space Strategy
• Continue Public Open Space and reserve maintenance programs
• Continue and promote the City’s ‘Great Gardens’ workshops
informing communities of gardening techniques and ideas
• Continue to implement the city-wide ‘Streetscape Upgrade’ program
• Continue ongoing Street Tree Replacement program
• Commence vegetation study of tree cover over public and private
land as part of the Million Trees Initiative for the City
• Investigate feasibility of entry statements in the area
• Feasibility of Aboriginal Liaison officer based in and for the Local
Area is explored
• Investigate the possibility of an Aboriginal representative on the
City’s natural advisory group for the Local Area
• Informal and formal tourism and education possibilities are explored
for the Local Area, enabling Aboriginal cultural interpretation at
appropriate sites
• Continue implementation of recommendations for conservation sites
in the Local Area from Green Plan 2
• Complete preparation of the Biodiversity Strategy and commence
implementation
• Provide opportunities for local school students to learn more about
the natural environment and become environmental stewards for
their Local Area
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Built Environment
Issues & Opportunities
Retirement and Smaller Housing
An important issue identified during community engagement was
the need for housing suitable for elderly community members. Over
half of the survey respondents indicated that they felt that there was
a great need for retirement villas in precinct B and C which was also
felt by workshop participants.
densities not attractive or not attractive at all. Therefore, although
there is support for density increases, there is also some opposition
in the community.
The Aboriginal community representatives specifically highlighted
the need for additional unit/villa developments or townhouses in
order to allow Aboriginal elders to remain in the Local Area and age
in place. Although the need for housing suitable for retirees was
outlined, the community also specified that new developments
should not include ‘big apartment style’ unit blocks.
Increased opportunities for retirement and aged-care housing can
be created by rezoning in relevant areas (particularly near
community amenities and public transport). It may also be
addressed through the City’s draft Local Housing Strategy and its
implementation, which will consider opportunities to increase the
possible number of retirement dwellings at various residential
densities.
Additional Development Potential
The Community Survey identified general support for density
increases in precincts B (38%), C (32%), E (30%) while 32% felt
increase was quite attractive in precinct D (precincts identified in
figure below). Additionally, a proportion of survey respondents in
precincts A (24%) and B (27%) found a potential increase in
Mirrabooka Community Survey – Precinct Plan
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The CaLD workshop participants did not oppose an increase in
densities in residential areas, yet they did feel that Mirrabooka
would need more facilities in order to support any increase in
densities. For instance, participants mentioned that shopping
centres and shops in Mirrabooka were already crowded, and an
increase in density and subsequently population would put further
strain on these facilities. This is discussed further in the Mix of Uses
section below. This was somewhat reiterated in the general
workshop, where participants felt that an increase in densities
would need to occur near existing facilities and services.
These issues present an opportunity for rezoning in the Local Area,
particularly around centres such as Mirrabooka Village and the
Mirrabooka Regional Centre. Increased densities around these
centres would enable more affordable units and townhouses for
residents as well as presenting the opportunity for mixed use
developments and allowing residents greater access to existing
facilities. Rezoning would result not only in an increase in
development but also in the range of development types available
to the community, providing mixed housing for young and old as
well as different family types, which was highlighted in the general
community workshop.
However, Mirrabooka Village was also identified as the area most in
need of improvement. Similar to other Local Areas, a change in
zoning around existing centres to a density higher than R30 would
need to occur in conjunction with or in response to improvements or
expansions to the existing centre. This is explored further in the
Economic Development focus area section.
Affordable Housing
Survey respondents were generally satisfied with the total amount
of housing in the Local Area. However, the survey results did
indicate a need for additional affordable housing (greatest
percentage in precinct C). The results of the general community
workshop and the Aboriginal workshop both indicated more
affordable housing as a high priority for Mirrabooka. The CaLD
workshop participants also highlighted more affordable rental
housing as a top priority for the Housing and Built Environment
focus area. Additionally, both the CaLD workshop and the
Aboriginal community workshop highlighted the need for more and
better quality State housing in Mirrabooka.
This creates opportunity for new and affordable housing in the area
with the inclusion of higher densities. A higher density would allow
an increase in affordable units or villas and smaller retirement
housing for the ageing population. This would also provide
opportunity to create sufficient housing for Aboriginal people to
ensure Elders remain in the area.
Including a higher density in the area would encourage a mix of
different houses and allow provision of State housing for different
family types and sizes. It would also allow a more diverse range of
rental housing in the area, therefore increasing the range of rental
prices.
Increased opportunities for affordable housing may be addressed
through the City’s draft Local Housing Strategy and its
implementation. The Strategy will examine several different options
to create or change zoning provisions to ensure development is
affordable to buy as well as rent. However, this Strategy is still in
draft format and implementation options will need to be closely
assessed to ensure aspects such as open space are not sacrificed
in order to increase affordability.
Housing and Household Diversity
34% of survey respondents indicated that there was not enough
housing range or not enough housing types and densities. There
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was also a strong indication from survey respondents for a need to
increase different family types in the area. Both of these issues
could be addressed through the provision of greater housing
diversity, achievable by implementing different residential zoning.
The CaLD workshop and the general workshop highlighted the
need to increase housing options for different family structures as a
top priority. This would involve increasing housing options to include
both small and large dwellings by including residential densities
such as R40 in the area. This need to increase housing options was
also reiterated during the Aboriginal workshops, specifically
highlighting the fact that although smaller units/villas and
townhouses are needed, development should not resemble large
apartment style unit blocks.
Quality of Housing
The issue of the quality of housing stock in Mirrabooka was raised
during most aspects of the community engagement. Some (28%) of
survey respondents believed that environmentally friendly building
design should be enforced for all new buildings, while 29% also
said that housing types and styles should be a free choice for
individuals.
The general workshop results reported that more sustainable
housing options were a priority for the area while the CaLD
workshop participants indicated the need for better quality housing
in general. These issues provide an opportunity to introduce
building design guidelines in the area, including energy efficient or
sustainable building guidelines. These guidelines could also be
applied to new State housing developments in the area, as the
need for better quality housing, both functionally and aesthetically
pleasing, was also highlighted during the Aboriginal workshops.
Mix of Uses
In addition to the need for a better range of housing options, survey
respondents also indicated the need for a better range of
commercial uses such as cafes/restaurants and entertainment
facilities, including a cinema. The CaLD participants also voiced
their enjoyment of existing commercial centres, but highlighted the
need for more/better range of commercial and medical uses. They
felt that if densities in the area were increased, then more shops,
commercial and medical facilities would be needed.
These concerns were also mentioned in both the Dryandra and
Boyare School workshops. The children mentioned how they enjoy
the close/accessibility of existing facilities and hinted at the need to
increase land use diversity, especially allowing different business
types into the area and possibly more open space for recreation.
Open space needs are likely to be addressed by the Public Open
Space Strategy once the Implementation Plan for the Local Area is
developed. Opportunities for different business types in the area
should be addressed during any redevelopment of the Mirrabooka
Village and surrounding sites.
The City is currently investigating the potential to provide further
opportunities for different uses at the Mirrabooka Regional Centre
through the Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy,
and is also working in conjunction with the Department for Planning
and Infrastructure to develop an Outline Development Plan for
further development of the site and surrounding areas. The Strategy
will also examine future expansion of the public transport facilities
there, further enhancing the centre for surrounding residential
areas. The plans will include development opportunities for a mix of
uses to service the entire Mirrabooka Local Area.
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Built Environment Outcomes to Achieve
Desired Outcome for the Mirrabooka Local Area
Outcome 1
A finer grained mix of land uses in the Local Area allows
people to live, work, recreate and access goods and
services locally.
Outcome 2
Greater housing diversity around Mirrabooka Village
Shopping Centre and high frequency Public Transport
routes, including small, large, retirement and affordable
housing enables a greater diversity of people to live in the
area.
Outcome 3
All housing within the area is built to a high standard
whether privately owned, rental or State provided, and
energy and water efficiency is required for all new
developments.
Examples of current or potential actions to achieve this
outcome
• Promote existing community facilities in the Local Area
• Ensure there is sufficient Public Open Space available to the Local
Area community
• Ensure the Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy
addresses the need to provide opportunities for local business
establishments
• Initiate rezoning as identified on the Key Opportunities Map
• Promote and provide community amenities close to retirement
housing to ensure retirees can feel connected to the wider
community
• Complete Local Housing Strategy and develop an Implementation
Plan to facilitate aging in place
• Encourage residents to maintain attractive homes and gardens both
inside and outside by providing information on house and water
wise garden care
• Complete Local Housing Strategy and develop an Implementation
Plan to facilitate affordable and environmentally sustainable housing
and a greater range of housing
• Sustainable Housing/Building Guidelines or Policy is developed
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Economic Development
Issues & Opportunities
Economic development is clearly very important for community
members of the Mirrabooka Local Area. The top priority from
community engagement in its entirety is local business
opportunities, while priorities in survey responses were often related
to economic development: responses to the question “What places
in the Local Area are most in need of improvement?” were
Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre (including petrol station site at
number 1) and Mirrabooka Square Shopping Centre/Regional
Centre (number 3). In response to the question “What is the one
thing missing in the area that you would most like to see?” the two
most common answers were ‘Cinemas/Entertainment’ and ‘Cafes/
Restaurants’. These are discussed below, alongside other issues
and opportunities for the economic development of the Local Area.
Local Business Opportunities
The Mirrabooka community identified that it is necessary to
increase business opportunities within the Local Area in order to
accommodate the desire of residents to pursue various businesses
within the area. In particular, focus at different workshops related to
opportunities for small businesses and startup of new businesses.
At the general workshop open to all community members,
opportunities for small businesses emerged as the number one
priority for this focus area. Discussion around this priority related to
support for home business, small businesses such as retail and
cafes, as well as health centres and office spaces for community
groups operating out of the area. Creating opportunities for new
businesses was also a priority at this workshop, and discussion
focused around the Atlas and Mirrabooka Village (Honeywell
Boulevard) and Australis Avenue sites for possible locations, as
well as business types such as markets, book shops, art
businesses, medical and health businesses, and child care
services. These business types are discussed in sections below.
Opportunities and support for home businesses such as childcare,
hairdressers, sewing, cooking/catering, and arts and crafts were
important for the CaLD sector of the community. However, issues of
privacy, security and safety associated with home businesses were
also discussed. This highlights the opportunity for home based
business guidelines to be developed, to ensure businesses are
developed correctly to counteract such issues.
Opportunities for new businesses were also a high priority at
Aboriginal community forums. Popular suggestions were shops and
culturally focused businesses including an art shop/gallery and
workshop space, language and cultural centre and cultural markets.
The value of culture as an asset of Mirrabooka Local Area was
recognised by most sectors of the community, and provides a good
basis for economic development in the area.
This opportunity will be somewhat addressed through the
Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy which will
propose the creation of new opportunities for businesses. The City
has currently engaged an external consultant to perform a cost
benefit analysis to see what types of businesses would be ideally
located within the new areas created.
The Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre could also provide
opportunities for local business growth. Improvements to the
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functionality and appearance of the City’s Local Commercial
Centres, such as Mirrabooka Village, are co-ordinated through the
Local Commercial Centre Improvement Programme. This
programme is currently under review so as to determine where
Council should focus improvements and to review how it works with
local centre owners to improve centres. Upon Council’s adoption of
the programme roll-out, Mirrabooka Village may be identified as
being a key priority centre for improvements over coming years
which in turn could help foster business opportunities within it. In
the meantime, owners of retail centres can still work with the City to
see centres develop to contribute to Local Areas and meet local
commercial and social functions. This may include discussions
between the City and centre, focusing on fostering new business
opportunities.
The City of Stirling supports and collaborates with the Small
Business Centre and Stirling Business Association to provide
guidance and support for local businesses within the City. These
services could provide excellent value to the economic
development of the Local Area.
Evening and Entertainment Activities
The Mirrabooka Local Area’s community has identified a strong
desire for increased evening and entertainment opportunities within
the area. This was the second overall priority for Local Area
community members based on the results of surveys and
workshops. 85% of the survey respondents in the area stated that
there were not enough of these facilities, including cinemas and
cafés / restaurants. 31% commented that cinemas and
entertainment amenities were the main thing missing from the area,
while 17% identified cafes and restaurants as most needed. This
information also correlated to only 19% of respondents meeting up
with friends in the area and to only 12% of residents eating out in
the Local Area.
Suggestions for suitable types of entertainment opportunities were
many and varied. Most popular were cinemas, open air film events
(free), concerts and markets. At the general community forum,
participants suggested low-cost or free events such as open air film
nights for all ages, as well as concerts, theatre and cultural events.
CaLD community representatives also suggested such events
where people can meet, with open air film nights again being
suggested.
Children at Dryandra and Boyare Primary Schools strongly
expressed a need for more entertainment and recreation activities,
which ties in with the youth focus required by many adults at the
other workshops. Student suggestions included performing arts
facilities, cinema, pools, a theme park, museums, restaurants,
nightclubs, clothing stores, video stores, motorbike stores, more
shops generally, a zoo, more gyms and arcades.
Locations for such activities could be, as discussed previously,
within the Mirrabooka Regional Centre or the Mirrabooka Village
shopping centre. Both locations are discussed below.
Mirrabooka Regional Centre
Mirrabooka Regional Centre is currently being assessed for
upgrading through the Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement
Strategy, which will work to accommodate the needs of the area
while improving current facilities.
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Although the Mirrabooka Regional Centre (MRC) is not included in
the Local Area, it is still considered a very important place by the
Local community and its improvement is a high priority for them.
38% of survey respondents identified the MRC as the heart of the
Local Area, while 16% also listed it as an area most in need of
improvement. Many of the workshop participants suggested
improvements to the Local Area that are best suited to the MRC
because of its location as well as existing and planned facilities
(through the upgrade).
Most survey respondents indicated that the MRC was a favourite
place in the Local Area because of its variety of services such as
the shopping centre, the library and recreation centre. Even though
it was identified as a favourite place, there was still a strong
perception in the community of a need to improve the centres
appearance, particularly around the Bus Station and pond area
(listed in the top 3 place most in need of improvement); to further
the centres retail offering and security levels.
A further suggestion from the general workshop to improve the
general aesthetics and amenity of the MRC was to include markets
in the area, specifically in between the library and shopping centre.
Additionally, Aboriginal representatives suggested an amphitheatre
around the pond area, to encourage cultural performances and to
discourage anti-social use of the area and also a restriction on
alcohol consumption within the vicinity of the Bus Station. These
suggestions may be addressed through the proposed MRC
Improvement Strategy plan. The plan includes a town square area
which will provide ample area for markets and cultural
performances and events.
Mirrabooka Village (Honeywell Boulevard)
The Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre was the most liked place
within the Local Area and the second most liked place overall,
according to survey results. Variety, convenience and the high
accessibility of the centre were cited as reasons for liking the
centre.
The community survey results indicate that the Mirrabooka Village
Shopping Centre and surrounds is also the area most in need of
improvement in the Local Area. There was particular emphasis from
all workshops on the need to develop the vacant service station
site, while the lack of parking facilities near the Honeywell
Boulevard shopping centre was also highlighted during the CaLD
workshop.
The general workshop participants indicated that they thought the
Mirrabooka Village site would be an ideal place for new businesses
to locate. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for a small
hospital, emergency/medical centre or a seven day health clinic,
with adequate parking facilities.
As aforementioned, improvements to the functionality and
appearance of Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre can be
facilitated through the Local Commercial Centres Improvement
Programme (which is currently being reviewed). There will likely be
an increased focus on providing assistance to centre owners to
improve centres. In the meantime, the centre owners and tenants
can still approach the City to discuss opportunities for the centre to
strengthen the delivery of social and economic outcomes.
The Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre has been identified as an
improvement area on the Key Opportunities Map at the end of this
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document. However, any redevelopment or improvement of the
Centre depends on the centre owner initiating changes.
Markets
The expression of cultural diversity within the community was a
strong priority for most community engagement participants. Most
residents believed that further recognition of this priority would
improve the character of the Local Area.
In the general workshop, some discussion focussed on the
possibility of establishing a cultural market between Mirrabooka
Library and the Mirrabooka Shopping Centre. Markets were also
mentioned in the Aboriginal workshops, with cultural markets
forming part of the second priority listed ‘to create opportunities for
new businesses. Markets would provide an affordable opportunity
for different cultures to share and sell their wares.
This was also strongly reiterated in the CaLD workshop, with a 6-7
day market listed as the top priority for this focus area and a
community market to sell local and homemade goods listed as the
number 3 priority. The suggestion of a community market seems to
be generally supported by most of the community. As such, the
opportunity to share and sell goods may provide an affordable way
to increase household income while promoting and expressing the
diverse range of cultures in Mirrabooka. This opportunity may be
addressed through the MRC Improvement Strategy, with the
proposed Town Square providing an ideal opportunity to establish a
community market.
Cultural Expression as Attraction
The area’s cultural diversity is recognised by many of the sectors of
the local community as one of its most outstanding features, and
there was much discussion of cultural centres, multicultural centres,
and businesses based upon this feature. Cultural expression as an
attraction is discussed in some detail under the Community and
Cultural Development Issues and Opportunities section. This
relates to the priority at the general community workshop of building
or establishing cultural centres, including a multicultural centre
providing events, foods of different cultures, and opportunities for
cultural integration through education and understanding. There
was also discussion at Aboriginal planning workshops relating to
cultural markets that celebrated the many cultures of Mirrabooka.
Markets of these sorts were also suggested by other sectors of the
community.
For the Aboriginal representatives, there is also opportunity to
create new business opportunities through cultural expression in
such forms as an art shop/gallery workshop with resident artists, as
well as more educationally-focused businesses that provide cultural
education to the wider community. These may involve school and
workplace visits, and ‘welcome to country’ services for openings
and events at important sites such as Mirrabooka Square and the
Stirling Civic Building. The Aboriginal representatives recognise the
value of the celebration of culture as a tourist attraction, and such
ideas as cultural centres, markets, art galleries, performances and
interpretive signage focused in the one area (e.g. Mirrabooka)
would make the area unique in the Perth Metropolitan Area from a
tourism perspective. Again, it is proposed that the MRC
Improvement Strategy may provide the location for cultural
expression.
Employment Opportunities
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Employment opportunities were discussed by many people involved
in the community engagement process in relation to startup of small
businesses and home businesses. This is discussed above.
However, Aboriginal representatives were also keen to progress
employment opportunities within existing businesses and
organisations.
Particular importance has been given to the need for Aboriginal
employment at the City of Stirling Council, which as a
representative body for all sectors of the community would be well
placed to have Aboriginal employees represented as part of its
workforce. This was the top priority at Aboriginal workshops for this
focus area. It was suggested that the City, like some other local
authorities, have an Aboriginal Community Development position,
which ideally should be filled by an Aboriginal person, according to
Aboriginal representatives. This is related to issues of trust and
shared understanding. It was also suggested that the City of Stirling
develop and implement strategies for Aboriginal employment.
Specifically, there was also suggestion that Aboriginal staff become
involved in the areas of land care, environmental management,
rangers and apprenticeships. As also discussed in the Natural
Environment Issues and Opportunities section, there is also a
request for Aboriginal involvement in environmental decisionmaking
as part of natural resource management advisory groups at
the City, although these are not related to employment.
The educational side of preparation for employment of Aboriginal
people was also discussed as a priority, with apprenticeships and
traineeships being discussed in relation to training programs
targeted at Aboriginal people (e.g. through on the job training to suit
different learning styles) and promotion of grants/training
opportunities though organisations such as Centrelink.
Childcare and Medical Services
Childcare was flagged as a high priority through several of the
workshops. The Boyare School workshop suggested that existing
childcare facilities in Mirrabooka should be maintained and the
CaLD workshop participants frequently discussed a lack of
childcare facilities. Under the Economic Development focus area
‘more childcare services’ emerged as the second priority in both the
CaLD workshop and the general community workshop. The general
community feel that there is a definite need for more childcare
facilities which creates the opportunity for local home based
services to be created, possibly contributing to the economic
development of the local community, while addressing community
needs.
Many workshop participants discussed the need for a small medical
facility or health centre in the Local Area, with the general workshop
listing it within the top priority under this focus area and the CaLD
workshop participants listing it as the second priority under the Land
Use, Built Form and Density focus area. These suggestions are
discussed above in the sections relating to the expansion of the
existing Mirrabooka Regional Centre and the Mirrabooka Village
shopping centre.
These suggestions correspond with the demographics in the area,
which were discussed earlier in the Community and Cultural
Development Profile. As there are a large proportion of young
people in the area, as well a majority of family-orientated
population, the need for more childcare and family facilities is
increasing. This provides justification for investigating feasibility of
new facilities in the area. There is also opportunity for these
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facilities to be developed as a result of the MRC Improvement
Strategy.
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Economic Development Outcomes to Achieve
Desired Outcome for the Mirrabooka Local Area
Outcome 1
Cultural diversity and expression is supported as a key
economic development driver for the Local Area through
establishment of cultural venues, markets and events.
Outcome 2
Local businesses such as small and home business meeting
local needs are able to successfully start up and continue
through supportive advice and locations.
Outcome 3
Entertainment amenities including cafes, restaurants and
recreational facilities provide local opportunities within the
area during the day and in the evening.
Outcome 4
Employment opportunities for the local community are
facilitated by the City of Stirling through both support for
new businesses and the organisation’s own human
resources management.
Examples of current or potential actions to achieve this
outcome
• Ensure the Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy
addresses the need to provide opportunities for local business
establishments
• The feasibility and potential to develop a local cultural market is
investigated
• Local cultural tourism opportunities are explored
• Complete Local Commercial Centres Improvement Programme
review
• Continue to support the Stirling Business Association to provide
networking opportunities for local traders and assist members to
succeed in their business endeavours
• Continue to financially support the Stirling Small Business Centre
Service to assist potential and existing small business proprietors to
develop or expand
• Ensure sufficient Public Open Space and recreational facilities are
available to the Local Area for community recreational needs
• Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy explores the
development of a Town Square, which could be used as a cultural
activity venue
• Complete Local Commercial Centres Improvement Programme
review with regards to providing a mix of uses at Mirrabooka Village,
such as cafes and restaurants, for evening activity
• Continue support from the City for appropriate applications for new
and expanding business (in a timely manner) including home
businesses
• Explore the option of providing an Aboriginal Liaison Officer for the
Local Area through the City
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Transport & Movement Network
Issues & Opportunities
Dialogue with the Mirrabooka Local Area has enabled identification
of the issues and opportunities relating to the transport and
movement network therein. These are discussed below.
Priorities for the transport and movement network in the Local Area
involve better public transport services and access, safety, and
connectivity through pedestrian and cycle paths. While roads and
verges were rated second in the question on what places are most
in need of improvement in the Local Area, there was little mention
of these in the actual workshops. There was also some discussion
of the need for more parking around Mirrabooka Village (Honeywell
Boulevard) shopping centre, but again this was limited.
Train and Bus Services and Access
The participants at the general community workshop felt that
access to public transport needed to be improved, listing it as the
top priority for this focus area. Improvements suggested by
participants included the extension of bus routes and increased
number of services, better bus connection to train stations, addition
of small bus (CAT) services to train and shopping Centres and
extension of night-time bus services.
The CaLD workshop participants also felt that an increase in public
transport accessibility was needed. They mentioned the frequency
of services between suburban areas and the Malaga Markets, main
bus stations and cinemas should all be improved. The Aboriginal
representatives reiterated these feelings, also listing public
transport accessibility as the second priority for this focus area. As
well as improving links to facilities, they also felt services linking the
Local Area to other suburban areas should be improved. Survey
results indicate the Mirrabooka Bus Station as the third place most
in need of improvement and public transport overall was the third
most important thing missing in the area. As mentioned in the
Economic Development focus area discussion, some of these
issues will be dealt with during the Mirrabooka Regional Centre
Improvement Strategy. The Strategy includes a significant degree
of improvement and revitalisation to the Bus Station itself, as well
as improvements in the surrounding commercial and community
areas.
Apart from a need for improved public transport facilities including
bus shelters and lockers, services (particularly buses) are believed
to be in need of improvement. Public transport service gaps with
infrequent services and indirect service routes leave public
transport as a fairly undesirable option. Public Transport is
controlled by the Public Transport Authority (PTA), and thus is out
of the City’s control. However, the City can play an advocacy role
for the local community by providing the PTA with information on
gaps in the service and needs for improvement. Creation of an ideal
public transport system however is a difficult goal to achieve, as not
all gaps in the network are viable to fill. Public transport needs to
remain affordable and be efficient, so not all streets can be served.
This is where the City’s footpath and cycle path plans are important,
for the integration of these with public transport, particularly in
relation to routes to key destinations (transport/land use
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integration), is part of a complete picture of a sustainable integrated
transport network.
Connectivity for Pedestrians and Cyclists
During the general workshop the issue of pedestrian access around
the Local Area was raised as the second priority for this focus area.
In particular footpath and cycle path access was listed as needing
improvement. The CaLD workshop participants highlighted their
enjoyment over youth and residents using bikes to travel around the
Local Area, as they feel this type of travel is good for health and the
environment as well as avoiding traffic accidents. They also voiced
their concern over a lack of footpaths and walking areas and the
safety hazard this causes as people are made to walk on the roads
with motor vehicles. This was also reiterated in the Dryandra
workshop where students listed more paths and places for
rollerblading were needed, as well as dirt tracks and ramps for
bikes in bushland areas. The CaLD community also stated that
existing paths are not continuous and they need to be safe and well
connected to key destinations such as the Mirrabooka Regional
Centre and the Bush Forever site, to encourage more cycling and
walking, especially among younger people.
Further issues of access at key intersections were raised by the
Aboriginal representatives and the CaLD community workshop.
Both groups believe that walking and cycling access across
Mirrabooka Avenue and Alexander Drive could be improved with
the implementation of a footbridge. The Aboriginal representatives
felt that the bridge could potentially be given an Aboriginal name,
further increasing the cultural character of the area. The CaLD
community also mentioned the need to link pedestrians with
educational facilities such as the Balga TAFE and the John
Septimus Roe Anglican Community College as an important access
issue.
The City is currently undertaking a Strategic Footpath Review to
identify priorities for footpaths (starting with major connector roads
to key locations), and to locate gaps in the network that need to be
addressed. This is complemented by a Cycle Facility Audit that is
assessing the quality and needs of the City’s cycle path network
(within a broader regional context). Both reviews will result in plans
for improving cycle and pedestrian networks across the City.
Safety of Transport
The Aboriginal representatives listed safety on public transport as
the third highest priority for this focus area. One action that they felt
could improve safety was the increase of authority and power given
to bus drivers. They felt that if this was increased, transport safety
would also increase. Aboriginal representatives also highlighted the
need for fair security guards at the Bus Station at Mirrabooka, citing
cases of Aboriginal youth being unfairly targeted and thus feeling
unsafe in their area. Positioning Aboriginal security guards amongst
the other guards was a suggestion for addressing this situation.
While the City does not have control over the bus station and the
bus service, it can take an advocacy role in working with the Public
Transport Authority to improve these facilities. In addition, an
improved Bus Station is part of the City’s plans for the improvement
of the Mirrabooka Regional Centre.
The general workshop and CaLD workshop participants also
indicated that transport safety was an issue with both groups listing
it as the third highest priority for this focus area. They raised
concerns such as inadequate lighting and speeding as major
causes decreasing safety in the area. They felt that if lighting
around public transport and access ways was increased and
speeding on local roads was reduced, the safety of the area would
improve. They also indicated that the development of a safe walking
place is a key community aspiration. This was also mentioned by
students at Boyare & Dryandra, listing more child-friendly paths and
tracks for safety and physical activity as the second highest priority
for this focus area.
Speeding along local roads was also a major concern for the
Boyare and Dryandra schools with children from both schools listing
an increase in traffic calming devices as the top priority for this
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focus area. This was also reiterated through the CaLD workshop,
with more traffic calming devices, more speed limit signage and
more lighting around footpaths suggested to help ameliorate
speeding. The Boyare School also suggested increasing police and
security as well as speed cameras and traffic lights to stop people
speeding in Mirrabooka.
Although the City does not provide community buses, residents are
able to approach different funding agencies, such as Lottery West,
in order to obtain grants to purchase, run and maintain buses.
Train in or nearby Mirrabooka Local Area
The development of a new train station in or nearby the Mirrabooka
Local Area was raised during most of the community engagement
workshops. It was listed as the top priority in this focus area by the
CaLD workshop participants and the Boyare School children also
mentioned that they felt the area needed a train station. The
Aboriginal representatives suggested that there was potential for a
train line along Reid Highway from the existing Warwick station.
The need for a train station in the area was also mentioned during
the CaLD workshop. CaLD community members indicated that they
use the Warwick station to catch the train as it accesses a greater
range of places than the bus services. They felt that the train is
safer, is better for the environment, more efficient and economical.
As mentioned earlier, while the City does not have control over the
public transport, it can take an advocacy role in working with the
Public Transport Authority to improve these facilities.
Community Bus
The Aboriginal representatives listed a community bus for
Mirrabooka as the top priority for this focus area. They felt that a
community bus is essential to cultural and social development,
allowing for cultural education trips, transport to and from events
and would also be useful during school holiday programs. They
further suggested that the bus could be painted the Aboriginal way
and would help to ensure youth are able to travel safely around and
outside of the Local Area. The CaLD community workshop also
mentioned the need for community buses in the area.
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Transport and Movement Network Outcomes to Achieve
Desired Outcome for the Mirrabooka Local Area
Outcome 1
Bus and train services are frequent and easily accessible,
and the local community is well connected to surrounding
areas and major destinations in the Metropolitan Area.
Outcome 2
All modes of transport are safe, as public transport facilities
and services, footpaths and cycle paths, and streets are
secure for all sectors of the community day and night.
Outcome 3
Connectivity across the Local Area is strong, with footpaths
and cycle paths, recreational tracks and crossings providing
safe and continuous access to key destinations throughout
the Local Area.
Outcome 4
Aboriginal community members establishing cultural
programs and activities are supported in their efforts to
provide transport for those involved, enabling safe access to
and from events and activities.
Examples of current or potential actions to achieve this
outcome
• Develop implementation plan for the city-wide Integrated Transport
Strategy, to ensure transport linkages between the train station, bus
station and bus links
• Continue to liaise with TransPerth to provide input on community
public transport needs
• Consider appropriate upgrading of bus routes and links during the
Mirrabooka regional Centre Improvement Strategy
• Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy to include
upgrading of the Bus Station
• Feasibility of Aboriginal Liaison officer based in and for the Local
Area is explored
• Traffic calming devices are installed along Boyare Avenue
• Complete Strategic Footpath review and develop a Pedestrian Path
Network Plan to ensure key linkages between existing sections of
current network and to major destinations
• Complete Cycle Facility Audit and develop Bike Plan to respond to
lack of connection and pedestrian/cyclist conflict.
• Connectivity within the Local Area and the Bus Station is
considered during the Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement
Strategy
• Continue to liaise with the Aboriginal community regarding
community transport options
• Provide TransPerth with community feedback information regarding
Aboriginal transport guards at Bus Station
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Part 6:
Key Opportunities
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Part 7:
Appendices
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Appendix 1 – Flora and Fauna of the Mirrabooka Local Area
Table 1.1 The Common Names of some Local Native and Endemic Species of Plants within the Mirrabooka Local Area
Upper-storey Plants Mid-storey Plants Understorey Plants Understorey Plants cont.
Common Sheoak Woolly Bush Prickly Moses Devils Pins
Candle Banksia Firewood Banksia Dwarf Sheoak Common Hovea
Holly leaved Banksia Candle Hakea Cat’s Paw Swan River Myrtle
Red Gum Grey Stinkwood Red & Green Kangaroo Paw Holly Pea
Jarrah Green Stinkwood Common Brown Pea Free Flowering Leschenaultia
Prickly Bark Zamia Palm Claw Flower Coastal Honeymyrtle
Stout Paperbark WA Christmas Tree Summer Starflower Bacon & Eggs
Balga / Grass Tree Common Smokebush Snotty Gobble
Pearl Flower
Pixie Mops
Prickly Cottonheads
Scented Yellow Banjine
Common Dampiera
Hairy Yellow Pea
Marno
Blood Root
Couch Honeypot
Snakebush
Salt & Pepper
Stalked Guinea Flower
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Table 1.2 The Common Names of some Native Fauna most prevalent within the Mirrabooka Local Area
Birds Mammals Reptiles & Amphibians
Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza Brush tailed Rat Kangaroo
Bardick
chrysorrhoa)
Western Thornbill (Acanthiza inornata) * Western Pygmy Possum Long necked Tortoise
Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus Chocolate Wattled Bat
Whip Snake
striatus)
Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) * Western Native Cat Black headed Snake
Western Wattlebird (Anthochaera lunulata) * Southern Brown Bandicoot Kings Skink
Australian Ringneck Parrot (Platycercus Brush Wallaby
Moaning Frog
zonarius) (aka Twenty Eight Parrot)
Carnaby’s Cockatoo (White tailed Black Common Ringtail Possum
Burtons Snake Lizard
Cockatoo)
Pink and Grey Galah (Cacatua Ashey Grey Mouse
Banjo Frog
roseicapilla)
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus Echidna
Western Green Tree Frog
haematodus)
Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) * Wurrung Tiger Snake
Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) * Fat tailed Dunnart Western bearded Dragon
Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor) * Honey Possum Bobtail
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)
Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa)
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)
Little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides)
Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus)
Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter
cirrhocephalus)
Laughing Dove
Spotted Dove
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)
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New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris
novaehollandiae)
White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris
nigra)
Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus
virescens)
Western Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus
superciliosus)
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Tree Martin (Hirundo nigricans)
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)
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Appendix 2 – Rap from Dogg Pound Hip Hop Workshop with Boyare Primary School Students
Welcome to this place
It’s our face.
It’s called Boyare Primary
It’s so cool yeah yeah
He’s Aruei my man, not like Dat.
The fat rat chick it. I live in Mirrabooka
Where all the rappers chill..
Chill, you know what I mean.
I’m a cool dude, so don’t try to be cool.
Fuel yep, yep, me Talag..
Than and Dat we’re represent Mirrabooka
Because we’re cool not fools,
We’re all rich cause we got a pool
We go to school cause’ we’re not fools
We live in Mirrabooka ‘cause it’s cool
Make it safe, safe as the moon.
Just put in more speed humps and less hoons..
More security will do the job.
Blow the graffiti away, make it shine
So it’s nice and neat.
Make it safe for people to live in peace.
We go to school and come back it’s like that.
We live in Mirrabooka, me and my homies’.
We want more speed humps
We’ll make it safe, Safe as the moon
Peace out my bro’s this is Wesley and Billy
I think we need more places to play
Cause as I grow up
I need to get fit today.
I don’t want to disrespect
I just want to represent
This is Booka Town, just take a look around
Postcode 6061
We’re having lots of fun
Don’t be so cruel
Because Boyare rules
This is Mirrabooka
If you wanna know about it
Just look in the a book
Know let’s talk about IGA
IGA has all the things with food you know
What I’m talking about dude.
And this is Dat Rap
Yeah Yeah
Thank you for listening to our rap
Here’s another chapter…The residents of Mirrabooka
Are so kind, everybody from the whole world
Wanted to bind…
You just gotta booka a ride to Mirrabooka.
Sing along to the beat of my song
Mirrabooka is where I’m from
Let’s Rap together in any type of weather.
Mirrabooka is where I belong
Break dancing I spin on my back
Copy me and you’ll get the knack
Beat box to every move, follow me and you’ll get the groove
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Appendix 3 – Rap and Song from Dogg Pound Hip Hop Workshop with Dryandra Primary School
Students
Mirrabooka Song
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
I like living in Mirrabooka this is a quiet place
We got lots of people from every different race
Out parks are dirty, ain’t one o them safe
But we still like livin’ here because this our only space
Mirrabooka, Mirrabooka, we live in Mirrabooka
Although its not safe we enjoy our friends
Too many drugs and we think we’re not safe
We need more trees or it is a disgrace
My wish for Mirrabooka and every other place
Swimming pools, parks and more livin’ space
We don’t have a pool, so this is not very cool
Big and multicultural and trustworthy people
Who are not happy when people stare at faces
Quick to say “you racist”
We should increase the poor people’s payment
So we can afford more and better entertainment
I enjoy rollerblading best not forget ice-skating
Everyone together interesting
We can cease the hatin’
Chorus
I like living in Mirrabooka because it’s a quiet pace
It is trustful cause it’s safe
It is clean
It is helpful
Mirrabooka, Mirrabooka
Mirrabooka Rap
I like Mirrabooka
It is exciting
It is cool
It is fun
Mirrabooka, Mirrabooka
I like Mirrabooka
It puts in a lot of effort
It has a lot of multicultural people
That is good
Mirrabooka, Mirrabooka
I like Mirrabooka…
Mirrabooka is a very quiet place
It’s no disgrace, it puts a smile on my face
This area can be dirty
It will be here ‘till I’m thirty
At times it can be scary
Even at the library
Sometimes this area can be boring
In that case tonight you will hear me snoring
There are drug users
That are described as dangerous boozers
There are plenty of schools
All schools are cool
We should have more payment
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So we can afford more entertainment
Lets not forget ice-skating
Mirrabooka Square
Is as large as a busy fair
We would really love a theme park
We would probably be there till its dark
It’s a place that’s multicultural
With a different coloured people
I’d enjoy rollerblading
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