Project Updates

CHAMPION LAKES ABORIGINAL INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

Construction of a multi-million dollar Aboriginal Interpretive Centre at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre
will begin in May 2008 celebrating the strong traditional presence of the Nyoongar people in the region. The first
stage of the Interpretive Centre is scheduled for completion by early 2009 and will include an amphitheatre,
change-rooms, interpretive trails which include bush tucker and medicine plantings along with a punched metal
canopy displaying indigenous art work over the walkway.

The total project which allows for future stages including a cafe, workshops for artists and display
areas was designed by Gresley Abas Architects.

More detail and images are available via clicking the below links.

Vision & Plan

Architecture

Sustainability

Views

Champion Lakes

Stage 1 Civil works saw the completion of road works and drainage in February 2007 Landscaping of this area to form parking bays under the power lines will continue until mid 2009.

Stage 2 Civil works provided the bridge access, construction of Cammillo Road extension (Henley Drive) services to the facilities island and the construction of the events path and pedestrian and cycle way around the boundary of the warm up lake. Landscaping of drainage swale s between the paths will continue until mid 2009.

Stockpile removal has commenced with Industrial Road Pavers having taken on a 26 week contract to remove the surplus material. The material is being taken to the Wungong Urban Water Project are as fill for the future sporting areas between Twelfth and Waterworks Road.

Additional higher quality material from the stockpile is being used at the Forrestdale Business Park for fill required for subdivision of the new industrial estate.

Environmental monitoring of the water body and surrounding ground water is continuing to obtain baseline data to meet the environmental approval conditions for the the project. This work is ongoing and will continue in one form or another for the life of the project. Monitoring includes:

Salinity of the water body
Nutrient levels in the water body
Mosquito and midge
Bird species on the water body
Aquatic plant life
Water levels in 10 monitoring bores surrounding the lake
Water quality in the monitor bores
Water quality in the Wungong River

The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has announced funding approval for the establishment of an Aboriginal Interpretive Centre on site in accord with requirements of the approval for the project to proceed. Discussions are underway with relevant parties to agree on a design. Works are scheduled to commence in late 2007.

The Minister has also announced funding will be available for the construction of a club room, boatshed and ablutions facilities on the island. Work is scheduled to commence in late 2007 with completion mid 2008.

The residential subdivision is being undertaken by LandCorp.

The subdivision is well underway with the first stage due for release in late 2007. The state will be characterised by its quality landscape and unique water environment. The subdivision is also incorporating the latest in sustainability design. Contact should be made with LandCorp concerning the detail of this subdivision.

WARNING: Construction Site

Some areas are still construction sites are the public must keep out. The removal of the main stockpile is underway and the faces of the stockpile remain an area the public must keep out of.

The area is fully fenced with warning signs all around the perimeter, and there are regular security patrols. In the interests of safety, visitors and families living nearby are asked to take care in supervising their children and ensure they do not enter the premises.

YOUR HELP IS REQUESTED

Security of the site remains an issue and the public’s support is sought to keep a vigilant eye on what is happening in the area. Vandalism has cost the ARA thousands of dollars which could otherwise have been spent on other public works beautifying the area. If you notice vandalism occurring we urge you to let the Police or the ARA know. The ARA can be contacted on 93999277 - please provide as much detail as possible so the ARA may take action to stamp out damage to the public’s property.

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Champion Drive

Please refer to the concept plan under our Redevelopment Page on the link below to view the details for Champion Drive.

Ballot information for the first residential lots is now available from Mike Dunsmore at John O’Neil & Son Real Estate. To register your interest please email admin@johnoneilandson.com.au with your contact details. Information will be sent to you as new information comes to hand.

Rainwater Tanks at Champion Drive

The Armadale Redevelopment Authority (ARA) is pleased to announce that the 55 hectare Champion Drive residential estate will be the first housing estate in WA to require the installation of rainwater tanks as a condition of planning approval. Over 500 lots, a primary school site and two significant areas of open space will be developed from early-mid 2007 onwards. All single and multi residential dwellings will be required to install a minimum 3000L rainwater tank plumbed to toilets and cold water washing machine outlets and install a rainbank or equivalent water controller system.
The tanks must be plumbed to the home and will not be available for residents to use as drinking water given the restrictions imposed by the Department of Health. Although not mandated by the ARA, greywater systems will be encouraged. The estate will also require all dwellings to achieve a five star energy rating and demonstrate 50% use of native plants in the garden. These initiatives will set a new benchmark within the development industry and raise the profile of products such as rainwater tanks and greywater systems within the wider community.

Champion Drive Structure Plan

The Champion Drive Structure Plan was finalised in September 2006. The purpose of the Structure Plan is to provide a general planning framework in order to guide future subdivision and development of the precinct. Essentially the site will allow for the construction of around 560 dwellings on the 54 hectare site. Lots range in size from smaller group dwelling sites to 800m2.

Wetlands and Landscaping

The precinct includes a conservation category wetland (located near Lake Rd) that will be enhanced and revegetated. The primary objective of this revegetation is to eliminate weed infestation and re-establish appropriate native flora species. Much of the existing vegetation will be retained and it is proposed a series of walkways including elevated boardwalks will be incorporated along with an observation deck with seating and interpretive signs to inform and educate the public of dampland ecosystem, function and flora species.

Ownership

The precinct is divided into the ownership of a variety of government agencies (reflective of the land’s former reservation under the Metropolitan Region Scheme for High School and Technical School purposes) and private landowners. The Department for Education and Training are currently reviewing the future of the South East Metropolitan TAFE Equine Centre. As residential development continues to expand in the Westfield/Seville locality, relocation of this facility to an area which is protected from ongoing expansion may be appropriate. At this stage, it is unlikely the relocation is likely to occur within the next 5 year period.

Forrestdale Industrial Business Park

Planning for the business park has been ongoing for a number of years, previously by the City of Armadale and since March 2002 by the ARA.

Recent activities have seen a revisit of the storm water drainage plan for the estate and a new plan based upon groundwater flows and retention of the majority of storm water on site has been developed. Drainage will primarily be managed via subsoil drainage, drainage swales built into roads and “wetland” retention areas. In unusual events storm water would find its way into the Forrestdale Main Drain and hence into the Southern River This new approach has the potential to save up to $7 million in development costs

In preparation for development the ARA has prefunded the lowering of a section of the above ground water main on Armadale Road to facilitate the construction of the main spine road for the Park.

A Local Area Implementation Plan for Sustainability is being finalised which will guide the development in the estate. When completed the document will be available on this site. Shortly a consultant will be appointed to develop a structure plan for the area which will bring together all the engineering, environmental, sustainable and economic investigations. This will create the development plan for the area and allow the establishment of a contributions scheme for landowner funding of the common infrastructure such as a sewer pump station and the spine road construction.

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In January 2005 the western portion of the Kelmscott Town Centre was added to the Armadale Redevelopment Area to support revitalisation. This 13.7 hectare site, comprising lots in both public and private ownership, is bounded generally by Albany Highway, the rail line as far north as Westfield Road, Davis Road and Railway Avenue and land west of Railway Avenue, to provide for a grade separated rail crossing at Davis Road.

Traffic modelling was completed in the third quarter of 2005, and supports the preliminary urban design concepts developed for Kelmscott – specifically signalized intersections on Albany Highway at Page Road, at Gilwell Avenue with the extension of this road to the west, and at Davis Road in conjunction with a grade separated crossing of the rail line. Installation of the Page Road signals has occurred.

The concept plan and amendment to the Armadale Redevelopment Scheme have been finalised. Draft Design Guidelines, a Physical and Cultural Heritage Strategy and a Planning Policy have also been prepared to accompany the Concept Plan and Scheme Amendment have been advertised for public comment.  These will be finalised in early 2007.

Landscaping works for upgrading the median and road edges along Albany Highway in particular are scheduled to commence in early 2007. The old library and child health clinic have been demolished to provide for redevelopment in the station precinct. The City of Armadale is storing all salvageable materials from the child health clinic and is inviting community groups to register interest in reconstructing the building at a yet to be decided site within five years.

The ARA issued development approval for the Kelmscott station upgrade in December 2006. Details on the upgrade can be accessed on the PTA's website: http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/scripts/viewarticle.asp?NID=1324

The ARA and Education in Armadale

The ARA is working with a number of government and non government agencies to provide a greater range of education options for Armadale residents. Initiatives such as the introduction of Curtin University places for Armadale residents, being awarded an Australian Technical College and working to establish a major educational precinct in the Armadale CBD are among projects undertaken and facilitated by the ARA that will provide Armadale residents with greater opportunities to participate in not only higher education, but also to continue high school education beyond satisfying the compulsory year 10 requirements.

University Education

The issue…
Across the five Perth metropolitan districts, the Armadale LGA recorded the lowest proportion of persons aged 15 years and over in tertiary education. At 2.8%, the Armadale region is well below the Perth metropolitan average of 6% and further behind the South-East metropolitan participation rate of 6.4%. A contributing factor in the low University participation rates is the Year 12 retention figure. The Year 12 retention figure for Western Australia is 67%. In Armadale this figure is only 60% for females and a low 55% for males. As a consequence, the Armadale region has a significantly reduced proportion of people participating in tertiary education.

Curtin University

Curtin University of Technology courses in Armadale.

The Armadale Redevelopment Authority, the City of Armadale and Curtin have made a strong commitment to improving access to tertiary education to people who may have missed out in the past.

Traditionally the outer suburbs have been massively under-represented in tertiary education. To address this lack of access, Curtin is offering courses in Armadale.

In 2005, the ARA worked with Curtin University to secure Armadale residents 12 equivalent fulltime places. It is the first ever to be offered in the area by a university. In 2006, Curtin began operating out of Swan TAFE's Campus in the Armadale CBD, offering courses in education. Curtin introduced the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and the Bachelor of Education (Primary) in Armadale. Study modes include lectures, iLectures, video conferencing and weekend workshops.

For 2007, Curtin has increased the number of courses and places on offer. There are up to 55 full-time equivalent places available. There are also two new courses; Arts (Pathway to Social Work) and the UniReady course (for those for students who do not have a TER). The UniReady course has no HECS charges. Applications for this course can be made directly to Curtin's Centre for Regional Education until February 9 2007.

Applications for the degree courses can be made through TISC (for those who have already applied or those who have a TER) until 23 January 2007 (late fee applies) and thereafter to Curtin's Centre for Regional Education.

All courses have the respected, internationally recognised Curtin University of Technology brand.

Studying at the Armadale Campus is an excellent opportunity for Year 12 students who may not achieve the requisite TER or for those who wish to gain skills and confidence before going on to tertiary study. It is also an opportunity for students to study and undertake 'practicums' close to home. All current Education students have completed pre-service training at local schools.

For more information, contact Megan Ellis on 1300 730 897 cre@curtin.edu.au or follow the link to  www.cre.curtin.edu.au

* Note that the Tertiary Entry Requirement (TER) for students who choose to study at the Armadale Campus can be significantly lower than at Curtin's Bentley Campus. For example, the TER for CRE students studying at Armadale in 2006 was 70

Australian Technical College

The ARA, in conjunction with the City of Gosnells and City of Armadale, has secured one of the 24 Federal funded Australian Technical Colleges to be located in Armadale and Gosnells. Only two colleges were awarded to Western Australia, with the other being located in the Pilbara.

The colleges provide for year 11 and 12 students. Students at the Colleges will be enrolled in School-based New Apprenticeships and also undertake academic, information technology and business courses.
The colleges provide an innovative training program for Year 11 and 12 students focusing on the trades areas where there are known skills shortages across the region. It provides an alternative to standard apprentice training as it offers greater flexibility for students in the region, being able to combine academic and trade skills. Students will gain trade, entrepreneurial, and business skills resulting in better employment opportunities and the capacity to be self employed in the future or to go on to further education and training.

Typically a student will spend 3 days a week at the college and 2 days focused on their trade. Armadale will focus on the building and construction trades (bricklayers, plumbers, and carpenters) whilst Gosnells will focus on motor trades (mechanics, auto electricians, panel beaters, vehicle painters). The College will operate in 2007. The ARA is working with consultants to find an appropriate site in the Armadale CBD