McMahon Estate Project

Overview

mcmahon.png
 

The Shire of Broome has prepared a Structure Plan to guide the development of McMahon Estate. The plan is now subject to a statutory 42 day public consultation period.

Thanks to everyone who provided comments on the initial rounds of community engagement to inform the preparation of the McMahan Local Structure Plan. This engagement helped inform the Structure Plan and copies of the Preliminary Engagement Outcomes Report - October 2024 can be accessed here

At the 26 June 2025 Ordinary Meeting, Council consider the draft McMahon Estate Structure Plan and authorised it to commence the statutory public advertising process.  

The advertising period began on the 27 June 2025 and will close on the 9 August 2025.  

To make a submission please see details listed here.  

 

Structure Plan Timeline

Stage 1 – Site Analysis and Initial Engagement – COMPLETE 

Stage 2 -  Draft Local Structure Plan and Subdivision Plan – COMPLETE 

Stage 3 – Public Advertising and Finalisation 

  • Advertise draft Local Structure Plan and subdivision plan (27 June to 9 August 2025) 

  • Review of public submission from advertising period 

  • Council to make final determination on documents (28 August 2025) 

  • State Government to make final determination on documents (late 2025) 

 

Public Consultation 

In line with the Community Engagement Plan adopted by Council in September 2023, the level of engagement for the project was collaborate and the two phases of engagement were undertaken to inform the preparation of the Local Structure Plan, as outlined below: 

 

Initial community engagement

The purpose of this initial phase of engagement was to raise awareness of the provide and to seek input into the concept plan options. Engagement activities occurred from April to June 2024.  

This first phase of engagement included Community Stakeholder Reference Group meetings, site walks and broader community engagement launch, leaflet drop and online community feedback where 73 comments were received. Some of the key matters raised in this phase of engagement included: 

  • Consideration of demographics being targeted and the type of housing that would be appropriate. 

  • Consideration of the scale of proposed new housing and response to existing neighbouring properties. 

  • Importance of maintaining existing ecological corridors. 

  • Community expectation of retention of large areas of open space. 

  • Importance of pedestrian pathways, particularly to provide access to the school. 

  • Desire to retain the northern cul-de-sacs in current condition. 

  • Consideration of drainage throughout the area and the impacts of hard surfaces. 

 

Concept Options Engagement

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.  

Next phase

A Structure Plan is required to be advertised for public comment prior to it being forwarded to the WAPC for determination. The period of public display is specified in the Regulations is 42 days.  

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 next ‘statutory’ phase of the engagement will align with the Regulations and will be undertaken for 42 days and include 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.  

 

LINK HERE TO THE PUBLIC NOTICE

 

 

 

Frequently asked questions 

What is the Shire proposing at the McMahon area?

McMahon Estate is a 10-hectare parcel of land located centrally within the south Cable Beach locality, adjacent to the local centre and Cable Beach Primary School. It is a prime opportunity for the Shire to deliver much needed housing for the Broome market.

 

Why is the Shire undertaking this project?

The McMahon Estate was originally earmarked for a district level oval. However, the establishment of the nearby Broome Recreational & Aquatic Centre in 2002, which includes an oval, required a rethink of that planning.  

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’.  

What is 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. 

We were involved in the previous studies. What has happened with that work? 

The 2022 study allowed a detailed investigation into the feasibility of housing, open space, drainage and road configurations, and several options were prepared and shown publicly. However, further investigations are required to ensure planning is robust and implementable, and detailed costs are fully understood. The current project aims to develop final concept designs that reflect feedback received previously, the local environment, current housing needs and potential development partners. 

This project aims to engage the community at key points along the journey, to make sure local experiences and knowledge are embedded in the design. 

 

How long will the project take?

Current project timeline is as follows:

Stage 1 – Site Analysis and Initial Engagement – COMPLETE 

Stage 2 -  Draft Local Structure Plan and Subdivision Plan – COMPLETE 

Stage 3 – Public Advertising and Finalisation 

  • Advertise draft Local Structure Plan and subdivision plan (27 June to 9 August 2025) 

  • Review of public submission from advertising period 

  • Council to make final determination on documents (28 August 2025) 

  • State Government to make final determination on documents (late 2025) 

When will it be built?

The Shire does not currently own the land but has determined there is a pathway to ownership by acquiring the land from the State Government. Currently there is no funding to develop the site once the local structure plan and subdivision plan are approved, however the Shire is investigating opportunities for grant funding and development partners to implement the plan and fund the construction of housing, open space, and roads. 

No construction will take place before the local structure plan and subdivision plan are approved. 

How can the community contribute to the planning? 

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.  - INSERT INFO ON THE PUBLIC NOTICE HERE

The Shire established a Community and Stakeholder Reference Group that met on three occasions to collaborate on emerging ideas and seek input.  

 

What is the Community and Stakeholder Reference Group?

At the September 28, 2023 Ordinary Meeting of Council the resolution was made to form a Community and Stakeholder Reference Group for the McMahon Estate project with the purpose to: 

  • Provide input and feedback to the Shire of Broome and Council for the preparation of a McMahon Estate Local Structure Plan that will guide a residential development with appropriate public open space and drainage. 

  • Ensure the community and key stakeholders are appropriately engaged in the local structure plan preparation phase of the project. 

  • Act as a conduit between the Shire of Broome, Council and the community, businesses and residents. 

Based on the Shire’s policy (5.14 Local Planning Policy - 8.23 Public Consultation – Planning Matters), landowners with 100m of the McMahon site property boundary were independently contacted about submitting an expression of interest to join the Community and Stakeholder Reference Group. 

Expressions of interest were submitted to the Shire in November 2023 and the group has now been established. Five community representatives were appointed.

What is being proposed for the site?

The primary proposal for the site is housing. There is currently a housing shortage in Broome and this project will help to alleviate some of that pressure. The type of housing (single houses, town houses, apartments) has not been determined and will be investigated as part of this project. Sufficient space for recreation will be provided in the form of open space (parks). The site also serves a drainage function for surrounding areas which will be maintained.

 

Will the site be all social housing? 

No, new subdivisions are to include a maximum 10% social housing. 

This space is used as park and for dog walking, will we still be able to do that?

Yes. The Shire understand that this area is well used as a park and want to ensure that there are opportunities for recreation, particularly as there will be more people living in the area.  

Part of the project will determining how much open space is needed for the area and where it should go and what improvements should be made to open space areas.  

Will the cul-de-sacs on nearby streets be opened because of this project?

There are several streets along the north-east boundary of the site that have cul-de-sacs (Rhatigan Place, Macnee Court, Biddles Place and Goldie Court). There is currently no proposal to open these as part of this project. The cul-de-sac at Cryer Court along the southern boundary is proposed to be opened as part of this project, to improve movement around the school.

What was used to inform the design of the site?

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: