McMahon Estate Project

The purposes of this phase of engagement was to seek community feedback on the three draft concept plans for the site. Engagement during this phase was undertaken in August 2024 and included: 

• Community Stakeholder Reference Group workshop.  

• One Community Workshop; 

• One Community drop-in session; 

• Four online surveys; 

• One written submission 

• Meetings with NBY and Yawuru Elders.  

The feedback received did not suggest there was a preferred option overall, rather there were elements of each of the plans that should be considered in a refined option. Some of the key feedback included: 

• The new park to have native trees, grassed areas, paths and nature play. 

• The ecological/drainage corridor to have natural bushland, large shade trees, paths, opportunities for school engagement and lighting. 

• Movement networks should considered walking routes to school that minimise road crossings, surveillance to the park and enabling connections between Dakas Street and Reid Road. 

• Low density housing is preferred in this location. 

Following the concept option engagement phase, a third workshop was held with the Community Stakeholder Reference Group on 26 November 2024 to present the updated concept design back to the group following the broader community comments received. The group endorsed the design with Shire Officers noting technical studies would now be undertaken, including Traffic Impact Assessment, Bushfire Management Plan, Local Water management Strategy and the Structure Plan report would be prepared. 

The feedback received at both phases of the engagement and from the Community Stakeholder Reference Group directly informed the MLSP, which is now being presented to Council.  

In line with the Community Engagement Plan adopted by Council in September 2023, the level of engagement undertaken at this stage is to ‘inform’ the community. Therefore the ‘statutory’ phase of the engagement aligned with the Regulations and were undertaken for 42 days and included the following: 

• Notice in the newspaper and the Shire’s website; 

• Display of material at the Shire Administration Centre; 

• Letter to all landowners within 100m of the site; 

• Letters to servicing authorities; and 

• Letters to referral authorities including Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Fire and Emergency Service, Main Roads WA and Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.  

Recognising that it is not efficient for the Shire to maintain two oval facilities in such proximity, and that the site was no longer needed for that purpose a portion of the site was rezoned to R40 in 2009. In 2012 the Shire conducted a preliminary investigation into an alternative use for the space, consisting of a mix of R40 zoned housing lots and adjacent park and drainage reserves. A Business Case was developed in 2022 that considered a variety of options including aged living and affordable housing. It also considered funding mechanisms and recognised that further investigations were required to better understand technical factors such as construction costs, drainage and transport. 

The project was listed as an action in the Shire’s Local Planning Strategy which suggested the preparation of a structure plan to consider:  

• Affordable housing and open space 

• Improved connectivity with a focus on safety and legibility; and  

• Integration of drainage using water sensitive urban design principles.  

The Shire’s new Local Planning Scheme No. 7 was gazetted on the 28th September 2023. The Local Planning Scheme changed the zoning of land from Residential R40 to ‘Urban Development’, allowing for preparation of a structure plan to deliver an improved urban layout, make provision for public open space and drainage and allocate appropriate residential densities. The intention is provision of residential housing lots and other uses that support residential development.  

The Shire is now undertaking this detailed planning by preparing documents called a ‘local structure plan’ and a ‘subdivision plan’.  

A ‘local structure plan’ is a document that provides the overarching plan for how an area may develop. It includes background analysis: 

• Cultural and historical heritage of the site 

• Local environment (vegetation and water) 

• Local community (who lives in the area) 

• Housing needs (understand how much housing is needed and what type)  

• Movement (how do people move around e.g. walking, cycling, public transport, car) 

Using this background analysis and input from the local community, government agencies and service providers, the local structure plan will show how the site should be laid out, where housing will be and the recommended density, where roads will be located, where open space (parks) will be located. 

The ‘subdivision plan’ is the detailed plan of how the site will be divided up. It will show the road layout, the residential lot configuration and areas identified for open space. 

It is important when we plan for the future, that the community has the opportunity to be involved in decisions about their daily lives and the places they live and work. There are multiple opportunities for the community to contribute to the plan.  

• Tell us what you value about the area on the interactive map in June 2024 - CLOSED 

• Provide feedback on the draft concepts via an online survey and/or at a community workshop in late 2024. - CLOSED 

• Provide written submission on the draft documents during public advertising.  - CLOSED

The design of the site, including the layout and position of roads, footpaths, open space, drainage areas and residential lots will be guided by several State Planning documents including, but not limited to:  

• Liveable Neighbourhoods 

• WA Planning Manual – Guidance for Structure Plans 

• Safer Places by Design – Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Planning Guidelines 

• Better Urban Water Management 

• State Planning Policy 3.7 – Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas