Stirling Regional Centre Structure Plan Review
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In partnership with the City of Stirling, the WAPC is undertaking a review of the Stirling Regional Centre structure plan.
The structure plan area is inclusive of the following:
- Stirling train station
- Innaloo Shopping Centre
- Greater Union Cinema Complex
- Osborne Park Hospital
- Hertha Road landfill site
- Stirling Civic Precinct
- portion of the Osborne Park industrial area
- part of the Innaloo and Stirling residential areas
Stirling regional centre structure plan boundary map (
977 Kb)
Background
Adopted by the WAPC and the City of Stirling in 1995, the structure plan was prepared to guide the development of the Stirling Regional Centre, encouraging a diversity of land uses and integration with the Stirling train station.
Since this time, the centre has and continues to experience some substantial development, including:
- expansion of the Westfield Innaloo Shopping Centre;
- development of the Action Mega Centre;
- construction of the Stirling Civic Precinct, including the City of Stirling’s new administrative building;
- IKEA development on Ellen Stirling Boulevard (adjacent to Mitchell Freeway);
- subdivision of the land adjacent to IKEA; and
- development of the Nookenburra Tavern site.
However, development within the centre has not always achieved the intentions of the structure plan to ‘create an interesting, vibrant centre with good access to public as well as private transport; characterised by a wide range of functions, activities and employment’.
With a number of years having passed since the adoption of the structure plan and the opportunity to harness imminent private redevelopment plans, it is timely to review the plan; addressing and resolving those issues that have hindered the progression of the centre in a coordinated and cohesive way.
Importantly, the structure plan review looks beyond simply resolving the issues that are experienced within the centre at present. A critical component of the review is the need to establish an identity for Stirling, and positioning the centre to take the best advantage of opportunities currently available and into the future. It also represents an exciting opportunity for the State government to realise its Network City policy.
To this end, the Stirling strategic regional centre is renamed Stirling City Centre for the purpose of the review, as a first step towards generating a distinct and recognisable brand that reflects the potential for the centre to evolve at a city scale.
Partnership and memorandum of understanding
Recognising the importance of Stirling City Centre, the WAPC and the City of Stirling have established a partnership to progress the structure plan review.
Ensuring a collaborative approach to future planning, the partnership was formalised through a memorandum of understanding, endorsed by the partnering agencies on 18 September, 2006.
Role of the structure plan review
The review will generate a new plan for Stirling City Centre, outlining the future structure and layout for the centre, inclusive of the following key elements:
- location, type and extent of land use, including densities where appropriate;
- road network configurations;
- community infrastructure requirements; and
- other infrastructure requirements.
Once adopted by the WAPC and the City of Stirling, the structure plan will be used to guide decision-making relating to subdivision, development and the provision of infrastructure.
Key areas for investigation
The Stirling City Centre structure plan review process aims to provide a planning framework in which development can occur in an integrated, cohesive and timely way, allowing for the centre to become a vibrant, attractive destination. In order to achieve this, the following key areas will be explored:
- Encouraging a mix of compatible uses that generate employment opportunities, service the local and wider community and stimulate residential development within the centre;
- Establishing quality pedestrian, cycling and built environments;
- Integrating development with the Stirling interchange, encouraging intense uses around the train station to maximise public transport use and investment;
- Investigate options for sites of environmental significance, including the Hertha Road landfill site and the Osborne Park main drain;
- Creating a ‘heart’ and identity for the centre;
- Improve connections between Innaloo, Stirling and Osborne Park; and
- Traffic management relating to the existing road network and the Stephenson Highway reservation.
Project management structure
Guiding the structure plan review is the project steering committee, comprising a mix of technical expertise and local elected members. Agencies represented on the steering committee include:
- Department for Planning and Infrastructure (on behalf of the WAPC)
- City of Stirling
- Main Roads WA
- Public Transport Authority
The steering committee is responsible for providing high-level strategic direction, reporting to the various agencies represented and ensuring delivery of the recommendations of the review.
Providing technical advice to the steering committee, the project working group is responsible for implementing the review in accordance with the direction and objectives established for the project.
Project management for the Stirling City Centre structure plan review has been established as follows:
Structure plan review process
The project to date has involved an extensive examination of issues, opportunities and constraints through design workshops and technical input. Emanating from this process, three scenarios were prepared for the project area, featuring alternative land use and movement network configurations.
These scenarios were subsequently subjected to feasibility analysis and a rigorous sustainability assessment process, prior to being presented to the stakeholder reference group for input and feedback.
The project team will now move forward with the preparation of a hybrid plan, featuring those elements that were identified as favourable in the sustainability assessment and by the stakeholder reference group. This plan will then be critically examined by technical experts and input again sought from the reference group, prior to being formally advertised for public comment.
Stakeholder reference group
In November 2007, landowners, business owners and members of the local community attended workshops with local and state government agencies to review development scenarios for the Stirling City Centre, prepared by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
This group, known as the stakeholder reference group, was formed to:
- provide representative, community and stakeholder input into the planning process;
- provide issue-specific liaison;
- communicate project matters to, and from, relevant community and stakeholder groups; and
- provide input to the consultation processes and outcomes.
The reference group was asked to provide feedback into the issues, opportunities and challenges of developing the area, such as traffic management, road options, environmental constraints, population trends, the local employment base and built form factors. Their responses, preferences and concerns were recorded and will be directly reflected in the Stirling City Centre structure plan.
Three scenarios were presented to the group, highlighting a range of possible options for developing the area. More specifically, the issues surrounding Stephenson Highway and the Hertha Road landfill site have attracted significant attention and progress.
Stephenson Highway
Stephenson Highway is an integral factor to the structure planning for the area.
As a primary regional road reservation under the Metropolitan Region Scheme, the intent of the reserve is to provide a regional transport connection from the Mitchell Freeway, ultimately connecting to West Coast Highway.
While there is some uncertainty as to the construction of Stephenson Highway along its entirety, it is generally agreed amongst stakeholders that a road connection is required along the reservation alignment between Mitchell Freeway and Scarborough Beach Road.
The form and function of the road through the project area, however, will have an impact on opportunities for the City Centre to expand and intensify to higher order uses.
As such, various options for Stephenson Highway between Mitchell Freeway and Scarborough Beach Road have been tested and subject to stakeholder reference group input through the scenarios developed for the project area. Broadly, these scenarios have explored concepts ranging from Stephenson Highway as a major regional route to a downgraded and integrated road link.
Resolving the complexities associated with this portion of Stephenson Highway will require further technical analysis, stakeholder input and decision-making by the State Government.
Hertha Road landfill site
The 22-hectare Hertha Road landfill site is also an important issue warranting further consideration, particularly given its prime location adjacent to the Stirling Interchange and opportunities to explore transit oriented and sustainable development
Due to this, DPI and the City of Stirling have engaged environmental consultants to undertake detailed investigations on the tip site and potential remediation options. These options are exploring both conventional and emerging environmental technologies and represent an exciting opportunity for research and development.
Other issues
Pedestrian and cyclist prioritisation is vital to the structure plan with traffic calming, pedestrian access and bike paths heavily represented in all scenarios.
The information provided to members of the stakeholder reference group and the workshop outcomes reports are available for download.
Stakeholder reference group information booklet ( 2 Mb)
Workshop 1 Outcomes report – 14 November 2007 ( 408 Kb)
Workshop 2 Outcomes report – 28 November 2007 ( 412 Kb)
The stakeholder reference group will have continued involvement in the development of the structure plan throughout the course of the project.
Other consultation
The stakeholder reference group will build on the consultation efforts already undertaken for the project, including liaison with major landowners and initial project surveys.
To ensure a broad scope of community input, 4000 postal surveys were sent to local residents at the outset of the project to assist in determining areas of importance to the local community and provide input into the future direction of Stirling City Centre.
This survey was further supplemented by an online survey, allowing a broader community input and an intercept survey, which was undertaken at the Stirling Interchange and helped to develop a thorough analysis of commuter opinions and preferences.
In addition, interviews have been undertaken with major landowners within the project area, to ascertain their views regarding opportunities, concerns and future redevelopment plans.
Structure plan review timeframe
The issues affecting Stirling City Centre are complex and wide-ranging, requiring input from local and state government agencies, technical experts and the local community in developing a robust plan for the future.
Parties at a State and local government level are working actively to deliver the structure plan in a timely manner. It is anticipated that plans will be available for wider public comment in mid-late 2008.
Information regarding the timing and development of the Stirling City Centre structure plan review, including how you can be involved, will be updated regularly on this website, and can also be accessed through the City of Stirling’s website at www.stirling.wa.gov.au.
A glossary of terms are available for download.
Glossary ( 13 Kb)