With the news that Cockburn council has taken its first step toward relocating its HQ to Cockburn Central from its current premises at 9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood, we want to assure you Spearwood remains as important as it has ever been.
Cockburn CEO Stephen Cain said plans were afoot for investment of more than $20m in the suburb of Spearwood.
This is in addition to the millions already spent in Spearwood since the adoption of the Phoenix Central Revitalisation Strategy in 2009 (we'll give you a few examples a bit later).
In 2019 the City plans to undertake a business case analysis on the potential for a Performing Arts centre in this precinct.
"Once completed, finalised concept plans for the precinct can come to Council in order to initiate detailed community and stakeholder consultation," Mr Cain said.
"Even if the business case for the Performing Arts centre on the site does not stack up, there is considerable investment proposed, in the vicinity of $22m.
"Spearwood is certainly not the forgotten suburb; it remains as important as all our other 21.
"There are a number of pieces of a puzzle that the City has recently dealt with that will allow us to move on with further improvements to the current Civic precinct.
"With the relocation of the bowling club and planning for a new Administration Centre, the City has been working on concept plans for the construction of its planned ‘Learning for Life’ centre, which will see a new seniors centre, library, youth space and some other facilities to replace the current facilities."
Another thing to get excited about is the new $220m Community Sport and Recreation Facilities plan, which will be considered by Council in December.
"Included in this is an allocation of $9m for a replacement for the Beale Park clubrooms, which the City is prioritising in this 15-year project delivery plan. Funds are also included for a number of other clubroom upgrades in the Spearwood area," Mr Cain said.
The City of Cockburn has undertaken staged improvements to Spearwood since this area became the first of our ‘revitalisation areas’ in 2009. There has been continuing investment throughout the suburb, with private and public realms undergoing significant regeneration.
Some of the key infrastructure highlights completed to date include:
- Spearwood Avenue upgrade (conversion to dual carriageway) - $1.24m
- Spearwood Avenue extension - $2.28m
- Interim Seniors Centre - $735,000
- Spearwood Skate Park - $360,000
- Friendship Way Spearwood Avenue beautification - $500,000 (indigenous and peace sections)
- Streetscape improvements: Southwell Crescent - $110,000; Kent Street - $10,000
- Macfaull Park: BBQ, picnic shelters and adult exercise equipment, new adventure playground - $657,000
- Bavich Park: Upgrade to playground and associated improvements - $35,000
- Edwardes Park: Upgrade to playground equipment, landscaping and new adventure playground - $172,000
- Beale Park: New flood lighting, plus proposed $500,000 major upgrades in 2018/19
Spearwood Library also underwent a $280,000 refurbishment this year, and the City has spent $120,000 upgrading fencing abutting private property along Spearwood Avenue's Friendship Way between Rockingham and Hamilton roads.
In March 2019, the Council will reconsider the Rockingham Road Upgrade Concept Pan after a deferral of two years. It will determine if the City will proceed with the upgrade of Rockingham Road independently of the redevelopment of Phoenix Shopping Centre.
For more information on this, read the Minutes from the 9 March 2017 Ordinary Council
Meeting, from page 48.
Bright things are ahead for Spearwood. Get excited. We are!