Community Report Your City 2012

About your City

The City of Gosnells is located just 17 kms south east of the Perth CBD and includes the suburbs of Beckenham, Canning Vale, Gosnells, Huntingdale, Kenwick, Langford, Maddington, Martin, Orange Grove, Southern River, and Thornlie.

The City is the fifth largest local government in Western Australia and encompasses substantial rural zones in the east and south, and some commercial and industrial developments, particularly along the Albany Highway.

At present the population is estimated at 110,000 people, with annual growth projected at 1.59%.

Fuelling our growth is the availability of housing through new land releases and housing developments in Canning Vale and Southern River, while redevelopment is becoming a focus in the suburbs of Maddington, Beckenham, Kenwick and Gosnells.

Contents

Mayor’s Message

CEO’s Message

Meet your Councillors

Changing Face of Gosnells

Beautiful parks and family playgrounds

Improved roads

Reducing flood risk

Gosnells Lifestyle

Community programs

Gosnells Service

Our future

Service statistics

Progress update - major projects for 2011/12

Major projects for 2012/13

1

3

5

7

7

9

10

11

11

14

14

14

15

18

As I travel through the local area I am pleased to see the many improvement and beautification works undertaken by City of Gosnells over the past 12 months.

These important works are not only preparing our City for future growth, they are creating attractive and functional areas for people to enjoy.

For example major works, such as the dualling of Garden Street from Nicholson Road to Warton Road, are making the daily commute easier for many residents by easing traffic congestion and improving traffic flow. To complement road works, the City has undertaken significant landscaping along Nicholson Road and at the Corfield Street roundabout to add an attractive leafy finish.

Our parks and reserves are also being improved and remodelled for a new generation of users. There are places which cater for young families, the active and health conscious, or those who enjoy relaxing and calm spaces.

Stretton Way Reserve in Kenwick is a great example of how a park with previous limited use has been transformed.

Mayor’s Message

1

Ruth Avenue Reserve, Canning Vale, popular for local weddings.

With new play areas, rubber safety surface, shade sails, native gardens and irrigated grass kick about space, the park has become a centre piece for the local community.

At a local level, residents can become involved in making homes, streets and neighbourhoods more beautiful with the chance to win some great prizes. Recently launched, The Great Front Yard Competition is now open for entries and encourages people to make even the smallest improvements to make a big difference. Look out for promotions or visit our website for more details. You never know, being out in your garden may even build new friendships with neighbours!

Continuing with the theme of friendships and a sense of belonging, the City’s community programs are being embraced by people from all walks of life. City services and programs are regularly updated to address changing needs so keep a look out for new programs which may suit you. One of the great success stories for 2012 was the Summer Events celebrations which showcased 10 events and attracted over 10,000 people.

Plans are already underway for the return of Summer Events with a bumper program featured in this publication.

This Community Report highlights many more achievements and also provides details of planned works for the coming year. Of course ongoing information updates can also be found through the City’s website and weekly newspaper advertising features.

I trust you’ll find this information interesting and helpful, and I look forward to meeting you out and about in our community.

Cr Dave GriffithsMayor

2

CEO’s Message

I extend my thanks to the many community members who provided input or feedback which helped in shaping the City’s new strategic direction document ‘Our Future: Our 10 Point/10 Year Commitment’, which sets our long term direction.

Council endorsed this strategy late last year and also adopted a four year corporate business plan, which sets the priorities for major projects for the near future.

These planning documents provide the basis for the City’s decisions on infrastructure planning and service provision and are designed to ensure the City’s sustainability while meeting the changing needs of new generations.

The City has been mindful to minimise the impact of rate rises on our community and through careful financial management, the City has been able to adopt a budget supporting many initiatives but with an average rate rise of 3.8% this year. I understand this is about the lowest rate rise amongst all local governments in Western Australia.

Staff across the organisation have completed many significant projects during the past 12 months.

There has been a focus on improving the capacity of several major roads through increasing lanes and improving road treatments, reducing flood risk through improved drainage maintenance practices, completion of significant park upgrades and major redevelopments, and successful partnering with agencies to deliver innovative community programs. These are just a few of the achievements with many more detailed in this Community Report. A comprehensive list of projects being undertaken during the coming 12 months also features in this document. These include upgrading the roundabout at Nicholson Road/Garden Street/Yale Road; traffic signal installation at Albany Highway/Gosnells Road West; and dual carriageway road works on Nicholson Road from Ranford Road to Clontarf Terrace.

3

Funds are also provided for building extensions to the City’s Leisure World facility and construction of a new building for the Bush Fire Brigade/State Emergency Service Headquarters. In addition, feasibility and planning studies are listed as the first step in progressing other major projects which may be funded in future years.

On a closing note, I thank you for your patience and understanding while many of these improvement projects take shape in the streets and suburbs in which you live.

At all times we are mindful of the impact on residents and work towards minimising discomfort to those living or working near construction works. Our aim, as always, is to develop a better community for current and future generations.

Ian Cowie

4

Chief Executive Officer

Meet your Councillors

Cr Terry Brown

Term expires: 19 October 2013 Phone: 9459 9693 Fax: 9459 9693Email: tbrown@gosnells.com.au

Mayor Dave Griffiths

Term expires: 17 October 2015 Phone: 9394 0842 Fax: 9398 3051Email: mayor@gosnells.wa.gov.au

Cr Wayne Barrett

Term expires: 17 October 2015 Phone: 9459 6998 Fax: 9459 6998Email: wbarrett@gosnells.com.au

Cr Julie Brown

Term expires: 19 October 2013 Phone: 9398 2191 Fax: 9398 2191Email: jbrown@gosnells.com.au

Cr Glenn Dewhurst

Term expires: 17 October 2015 Phone: 9496 2955 Email: gdewhurst@gosnells.com.au

5

Cr Liz Griffiths

Resigned: October 2012

Cr Ron Hoffman

Term expires: 19 October 2013 Phone: 9456 2372 Fax: 9456 2372Email: rhoffman@gosnells.com.au

Cr Karen Jones

Term expires: 19 October 2013 Phone: 9458 5347 Fax: 9358 0370Email: kjones@gosnells.com.au

Cr Russell Lawrence

Term expires: 17 October 2015 Mobile: 0403 150 264 Fax: 9455 3011Email: rlawrence@gosnells.com.au

Cr Susan Iwanyk

Term expires: 19 October 2013 Phone: 9490 2856 Fax: 9490 2856Email: siwanyk@gosnells.com.au

Cr Ron Mitchell (Deputy Mayor)

Term expires: 17 October 2015 Phone: 9458 9919 Fax: 9358 0838Email: rmitchell@gosnells.com.au

Cr Olwen Searle JP

Term expires: 19 October 2013 Phone: 9455 1951 Fax: 9455 1951Email: osearle@gosnells.com.au

6

Beautiful parks and family playgounds

Recently, the Commonwealth Government commissioned international accounting firm, Ernst and Young, to prepare a report on financing local infrastructure. One of the four principal recommendations in the report is that local governments review their infrastructure portfolios and identify the rationale for continued ownership.

The City of Gosnells has been a Western Australian leader in this regard, undertaking a review of public land holding and establishing the Local Open Space Strategy in 2010. This Strategy identifies surplus land which is being used to fund the upgrade of more appropriately located and better used parkland.

As a result of the Strategy, over the past 12 months a number of park renovations have been completed and almost 20 playgrounds received new play equipment.

Changing Face of Gosnells

7

Stretton Way Reserve One of the most significant renovations has been to Stretton Way Reserve in Kenwick which has been transformed as part of the Kenwick Village Revitalisation project.

This previously dry and under used park now has a large and exciting play area with shade sails and a rubber safety surface. It also has an irrigated grassed kick about space for more active and older children, a unique sculpted drinking fountain and water wise native garden beds. A previously under utilised public space has become a community hub, a jewel in the crown for Kenwick residents.

Walter Padbury - Dinosaur BonesWalter Padbury Park in Thornlie has also been rejuvenated. The children’s play area is a place of adventure based on the concept of size. It includes a big swing, giant climber, and seven mega dinosaur bones, which complete the play area.

The one tonne dinosaur bones were installed just in time for the summer school holidays and kids now enjoy excavating and reburying the bones as one of the many new attractions in the playground.

More great parks to discover…Gaskin Way Reserve in Kenwick has also received a major upgrade with new play equipment, shade sails and rubber soft fall while a new lookout and playground has been completed at Sandringham Promenade Reserve in Canning Vale.

In addition to these, a Master Plan to redevelop Mills Park is being prepared with design concepts progressing well.

Council has allocated significant funds to enable many more neighbourhood parks to be transformed over the next 12 months.

Children play at park in Kenwick Town Centre

8

Improved roads

The City is responsible for 765 km of roads. Over the past year, the City has focused on improving the capacity of several major roads and undertaken extensive landscaping works to major roads to improve streetscapes.

In terms of improved capacity, the dualling of Garden Street from Nicholson Road to Warton Road was completed last year.

Corfield Street dualling from Verna Street to Eileen Street is also progressing well. The two new lanes have been completed, and the old carriageway is currently being replaced.

The City focused its landscaping works on the median strips and verges around Nicholson Road which are now complete. The works included planting trees and shrubs, as well as faux paving, irrigation and mulch.

The major roundabout at Corfield Street and Fremantle Road was also landscaped. This features irrigation and native plantings which include grasstrees and mulch.

In the coming year, the City is looking forward to undertaking works at the Nicholson Road/Yale Road/ Garden Street roundabout using State Government funding to improve traffic flow and safety.

9

Reducing flood risk

Many locations within the City have a high water table and this, combined with clay soils, results in many areas being prone to flooding.

The City has actively addressed the risk of flooding and resulting property damage with the purchase of cutting edge technology to assist with drainage inspections and cleaning.

A new stormwater drain cleaner and ‘Quickview’ camera, which allows the operator to see inside road drainage systems, means that blockages can be identified and removed before flooding occurs. This helps the drainage system to operate more effectively.

The camera and cleaner provide the City with the best equipment to ensure the stormwater drains are well maintained.

10

Gosnells Lifestyle

11

Community programs

Our community engagement programs encourage people, of all ages, to become more involved in our community.

Some of our programs for 2011/12 included KidSport, i-click and Summer Events.

KidSportLate last year the City of Gosnells partnered with the State Government’s Department of Sport and Recreation to deliver KidSport.

The KidSport program has made it possible for almost 800 young people living in the City of Gosnells to get involved in their favourite sporting activities by contributing up to $200 for each eligible child to assist with sporting registration fees.

Local sporting clubs have experienced an increase in membership numbers and participation as a direct result of the KidSport program.

i-clickThe i-click project involved youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds living in Thornlie and Langford.

More than 25 young people were asked to explore their notion of identity, space and place through the medium of photography.

The facilitated sessions helped to break down the barriers between recently arrived residents and authority figures such as police, transit guards and government organisations.

The result is a stunning display of photographs, many taken by first time photographers, which have now been compiled into a book

and touring display.

i-click was delivered through the City Str8 Talk’n project in partnership with the

Community Arts Network of Western Australia.

12

Summer EventsBetween January and April, we proudly invited people to visit our public spaces and join the Summer Event celebrations. A total of 10 events were held across the City.

The celebrations kicked off on Australia Day with 71 local residents pledging their loyalty to Australia and becoming new Australian Citizens, while around 1,500 people attended The Australia Day Big Breakfast.

Jon Stevens, the headline concert act, brought Aussie Rock to the Pioneer Park Amphitheatre on a warm February night. The audience revelled in the free entertainment and music filled the night’s sky.

Approximately 10,000 people attended the 2012 Summer Events series, and work is already underway for the next bumper program.

Mark your diarySuMMer eventS

2012/13

26 October 2012Homestead Cinema

Outdoor Movie

9 November 2012 Multicultural Food Fair

21 December 2012 Homestead Cinema

Outdoor Movie

31 December 2012New Year’s Eve Concert

26 January 2013 Australia Day Big Breakfast

14 February 2013 Valentine’s Day Concert

23 February 2013 Illuminate Street Party

16 March 2013Little Scribblers Arts Festival

For more information about the upcoming Summer Events program visit

www.gosnells.wa.gov.au13

Australia Day Celebrations 2012

Mark your diarySuMMer eventS

2012/13

Gosnells Service

Our future

We thank community members whose feedback helped to shape the City’s new strategic direction resulting in the document ‘Our Future: Our 10 Point/10 Year Commitment’.

During this period the City also finalised a four year corporate business plan and received a clean audit report.

Copies of these documents are available from the City’s website.

Service statistics

The business of local government is diverse and dynamic, and the City provides services to a large number of people with differing needs and aspirations.

At the City of Gosnells during 2011/12:• On an average day, nine building approvals were issued.• One in two residents were members of the City’s libraries.• 94,000 customer enquiries were received.• Over 432,000 people used Leisure World, our gym and pool facility.• Close to 1 million people visited City parks and reserves.

14

Progress update - major projects for 2011/12

A summary of major City projects undertaken over the past 12 months is included below:

Infrastructure and public spaces• Lobby the State Government for provision of a railway station at

Nicholson Road, and improvements to stations on the Armadale line.

Status: The City has initiated several articles and media stories to increase the prominence of this issue and to seek government support. The Transport Minister has indicated in correspondence that the Perth Transport Authority “will in the next few years be examining the requirements to extend the Thornlie Line.”

In addition, the State Government has committed to a major upgrade of Beckenham Train Station. Maddington Train Station will also be receiving some minor upgrades.

• Develop and implement a Master Plan for the redevelopment of Mills Park.

Status: Design concepts have been prepared and are being reviewed to incorporate requested changes. A site meeting was held with the Department of Environment and Conservation to gain support for the project.

15

Buildings and facilities• Review all City owned

equestrian facilities and provide recommendations for their management and future improvement.

Status: Council has considered the equestrian grounds within the City and endorsed the recommendations of the Equestrian Needs Assessment, which included relocation of the Gosnells Archers Club Inc.

Subject to funding, the Gosnells Archers Club Inc will move from Orange Grove to a more suitable location in Sutherlands Park near Huntingdale Community Centre. As a result the Orange Grove site may be used for future equestrian pursuits. The Gosnells Archers Club Inc has welcomed this decision as archery has increased in popularity.

It is proposed that the Orange Grove Horse and Pony Club Inc, Gosnells Riding and Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled WA will co-locate at the Orange Grove Recreational Ground as a dedicated equestrian centre. All three organisations are being consulted regarding the site development which is likely to offer increased arenas (including one under cover), improved buildings, yards and parking.

16

Land use planning• Subdivide, sell land and then improve the public open space at

Streatham Street.

Status: An Urban Water Management Plan is being produced to enable the drainage design component of the development to be finalised.

• Implement the Local Housing Strategy to rezone land and facilitate

increased residential densities.

Status: Two amendments to the City’s Planning Scheme have been finalised to allow development at higher densities in certain parts of the City. Additionally, a reduction in the detailed planning requirements for certain areas has been introduced.

• Rezone land in Maddington and Kenwick for industrial use.

Status: The Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendment for Precinct 1 has been advertised and the public comment period has concluded. A Water Management Strategy for Precincts 2 and 3 is being commissioned.

• Facilitate redevelopment of the Maddington Town Centre.

Status: Technical studies to support the development of a Structure Plan are complete and the Structure Plan is being drafted.

17

Panoramic view of Pioneer Park, Gosnells

Major projects for 2012/13

The City has a range of significant major projects planned for the coming 12 months.

Infrastructure and public spaces• Lobby the State Government for provision of a railway station at

Nicholson Road, and improvements to stations on the Armadale line.• Develop and implement a Master Plan for the redevelopment of

Mills Park.• Redevelop Rede Street Reserve.• Commence the process to subdivide, sell land and improve public

open space at the Streatham Street Reserve, Robinson Park and Charles Hook Park.

• Redevelop existing parks at Belfast Close Reserve, Yilgarn Way Reserve and Limbee Glade Reserve.

• Upgrade the roundabout to reduce congestion at Nicholson Road/ Garden Street/Yale Road intersection.

• Improve the median strip and verges on Warton Road.• Extend the dual carriageway on Nicholson Road from Ranford Road

to Clontarf Terrace.• Install traffic signals at the intersection of Albany Highway and

Gosnells Road West.

18

Buildings and facilities• Extend the existing Leisure World gym, construct three multi-purpose

community rooms and install new universal access automatic doors.• Replace carpet and refurbish theatre chairs at the Don Russell

Performing Arts Centre (DRPAC).• Establish a co-located equestrian facility at Orange Grove.• Construct a new building for the Bush Fire Brigade/State Emergency

Service Headquarters.• Conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a Waste Transfer

Station on the City’s former tip site on Kelvin Road.

1919

Paint Storm, a fun School Holiday Program at DRPAC 2012

Land use planning• Rezone land in Maddington and

Kenwick for industrial use.• Facilitate redevelopment of the

Maddington Town Centre.• Undertake actions to support

implementation of the Local Housing Strategy.

• Facilitate development in the Central Maddington area.

• Facilitate development of the Southern River Precincts 1 and 3.

• Establish an Improvement Plan for the Gosnells Town Centre.

• Develop City owned land in Southern River for commercial activities.

• Establish a strategy to guide land use and development in the Gosnells foothills.

Community programs• Provide e-book options for library

users.• Implement the Eat, Act, Live

Program.• Provide a range of community

events and celebrations.• Implement the Str8 Talk’n Program.

Funding for this program to run for three years has been provided by the Commonwealth Government.

• Provide a range of services and programs for groups with specific needs.

20

Bins and rubbish enquiries 9492 0111follow prompts if calling outside office hours

Operations Centre (Council depot)Waste management, street and park maintenance 9492 0111Recycling 9449 3312

Emergency ServicesAll fire calls 000Rangers 9397 3000

City FacilitiesBookings, halls, parks, sporting grounds and graffiti reporting 9397 3000

Libraries and HeritageAmherst Village Library 9498 9498Gosnells Knowledge Centre 9391 6000Kenwick Library 9397 3099Thornlie Library 9251 8750Wilkinson Homestead 9490 1575 (City of Gosnells Museum)

Community and LeisureCommunity Development 9397 3121Safe City (Community Safety) 9391 6022Leisure Services 9397 3111Children’s Services 9397 3125Youth Services 9397 3130Addie Mills Centre 9391 6030 (Seniors and Disabilities) Leisure World (gym and pool) 9251 8700Don Russell Performing Arts Centre 9493 4577

City ContactsPO Box 662 Gosnells 6990 Western Australia

9397 3000www.gosnells.wa.gov.au