Australind Community Precinct Update

Green light given to enhance community infrastructure.

Two major projects to enhance service delivery and meet the growing needs of our community were given the green light at the Shire’s March Ordinary Council Meeting.

Shire of Harvey President Paul Gillett said we are entering an exciting stage of growth and Council is committed to providing community infrastructure and services to meet the growing needs of our community, now and into the future.

The Harvey Community Precinct has reached the next milestone in its development with the tender awarded to Christou Design Group. This innovative architectural firm will work closely with the Reference Group for the Design Development stage.

The development of this precinct will be staged, with construction of the first phase of the precinct planned to start in 2023.

A Notice of Motion was put forward to earmark Australind as the preferred location for the Shire’s main Civic Building, along with approval to prepare a Project Plan and Master Plan for the Australind Community Precinct.

Cr Gillett said Council supported the future development of both the Harvey and Australind Precincts and it was important to have plans in place to support the ongoing service delivery across the Shire.

“It is no secret that the population continues to grow and we need to have plans in place to support this growth and provide a high level of service delivery to all residents in the Shire of Harvey."

“The level of service delivery at the Harvey Administration Centre will not change and the community infrastructure will be greatly improved with the Harvey Precinct development."

“The community is set to benefit from these two projects and we look forward to working closely with key stakeholders and groups to determine the best outcomes for the community.”

Nominations are now open for the Shire of Harvey’s Community Precincts Reference Groups.

The Shire of Harvey’s Community Precincts Reference Groups aim to support the development of the Australind and Harvey Community Precincts.

The community reference groups will be made up of a range of key community stakeholders who will be future users of each precinct and will function to provide a platform for feedback on matters relating to each development.

Each reference group has Council representatives and community representatives.

Decision has been made on the preferred location for Australind Community Precinct.

The Shire undertook a six-week consultation process during June, July and August to obtain community feedback on the preferred location and required community facilities for the Australind Community Precinct.

On Tuesday night the Shire of Harvey Council adopted the preferred location for the Australind Community Precinct at Lot 208 Mulgara Street, Australind.

Shire of Harvey President Paul Gillett said that feedback from community consultation for the preferred location has been considered.

“The preferred location indicated by survey respondents was the existing Australind site, followed by the Leschenault Leisure Centre site and Treendale site and finally a split of facilities over two or more sites,” Cr Gillett said.

“The proposed community precinct in Australind will include a range of community and civic facilities and services catering for all ages.”

“The precinct is designed to cater for the Shire’s future needs, for use by our children and grandchildren.”

Council also requested the finalisation of the Australind Community Precinct Feasibility Plan in order to move the project forward.

In addition, Council requested the establishment of an Australind Precinct Community Reference Group. Nominations to be part of the reference group will be invited from members of the community towards the end of January.

The Australind Community Precinct project recognises that the current library facilities and administration centre in Australind are undersized relative to the existing and growing population needs of the area, and that currently the community does not have access to fit-for-purpose community infrastructure.

The development of the Australind Community Precinct will be staged. Construction of the first phase of the precinct is planned to start in 2023.

A consultation report will be presented to Council on 28 September to inform the decision making process.

Shire of Harvey President Paul Gillett said the proposed community precincts in Australind and Harvey will include a range of community and civic facilities and services for all ages.

“The precincts are designed to cater for the Shire’s future needs, for our children and grandchildren to use,” Cr Gillett said.

The Shire undertook a six-week consultation process during June, July and August to receive community feedback on the proposed community precincts.

Engagement and communications methodologies were developed to encourage community participation and to ensure a range of ideas and opinions were heard and captured.

The communications reached over 40 per cent of the Shire’s population. Over 2000 people or 7 per cent of the Shire’s population participated in different engagement opportunities and 550 direct survey responses were received for both projects.

A consultation report will be presented to Council on Tuesday, 28 September 2021.

Cr Gillett said the report presents the findings of the public consultation process in a transparent and unbiased manner in order to inform the Council decision making process.

“The local community will be involved at every stage, creating an open conversation to ensure all ideas, thoughts and opinions are heard.

“It’s how we’re working together towards an even better lifestyle for the benefit of all.”

The development of the community precincts will be staged. Design and documentation will start by the end of this year. Construction of the first phase of the precincts is planned to start in late 2022.

The Shire is seeking community feedback on the future community precincts in Australind and Harvey.

Shire of Harvey Community Precincts

Shire of Harvey President Paul Gillett said the future community precincts in Australind and Harvey will deliver a huge range of benefits, from protecting heritage buildings through to the development of new facilities and services for all ages.

“The Shire is looking to deliver future community precincts that will help establish more local services, facilities and events within the region,” Cr Gillett said.

“The precincts are designed to cater for the Shire’s future needs, for our children and grandchildren to use.”

“The local community will be involved at every stage, creating an open conversation to ensure all ideas, thoughts and opinions are heard.”

“It’s how we’re working together towards an even better lifestyle for the benefit of all.”

The development of the community precincts will be staged. Design and documentation will start by the end of this year. Construction of the first phase of the precincts is planned to start in late 2022.

Australind Community Precinct

The Shire has identified the need to develop a community precinct in the Australind area. The current library facilities and administration centre are undersized relative to the growing population in the Shire and there is a need for community facilities to be centrally located.

The Shire is seeking community feedback on a preferred location and required community facilities for the concept designs to start.

Find out more information on the Australind community precinct.

Harvey Community Precinct

The Harvey community precinct project will include the creation of a dynamic library and civic administration centre. Incorporation of the Harvey Community Resource Centre, Harvey Community Radio and other facilities will cater for growing population needs.

The redevelopment of this precinct will create a path to the future while celebrating the agricultural history of the district. Heritage buildings within the precinct will be rejuvenated by repurposing and updating the facilities to become flexible spaces, with a multitude of community and civic uses.

For future development to continue, the Shire is now seeking community feedback on the completed draft master plan for the proposed community precinct.

Find out more information on the Harvey community precinct.

Have your say

• Fill out the survey online.
• Ask for a hard copy at your local library or administrative centre.
• Look for our survey staff while out and about.