CITY of Canning administration will develop a master plan for the Shelley Beach Park precinct that includes a feasibility study for a foreshore cafe.
City officers’ will recommend an analysis for the establishment of a commercial cafe/restaurant within the park precinct at this week’s council agenda briefing meeting,
The recommendation comes after council received a petition last month containing 597 signatures opposing the idea and in the wake of a City-funded survey on whether locals support the cafe proposal.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWMarket research Company, Painted Dog Research was engaged by the City to conduct the survey at a cost of $25,900, excluding GST.
The report said the “City could take comfort knowing the vast majority of residents supported the development of a new hospitality offering”.
City officers said the survey was delivered to about 3300 households and attracted 760 participants in Shelley and Rossmoyne.
“The response rate of 23 per cent is above average, and indicates the interest of Shelley/Rossmoyne residents in the Shelley Beach Park precinct,” officers stated.
According to the report, 22 per cent of respondents said the main dislike about the park was that it did not offer a cafe, kiosk or restaurant.
The company reported the survey results showed that more than six in 10 survey participants indicated they were likely to use a new cafe/restaurant in the park area.
“A cafe is the most sought after recreation improvement followed by a better playground and more exercise equipment,” the company’s report stated.
Results also revealed more than two in three participants wanted more trees in the park to provide shade and 62 per cent wanted more picnic areas.
City of Canning Mayor Paul Ng urged the community to review the survey and provide feedback to the City.
“It is important to note no decisions have been made on the future of park,” he said.
“The survey is the first step to understand the community’s views in regards to the potential activation of this area.”
The report can be viewed on the City’s website at www.canning.wa.gov.au (search for Shelley Beach Foreshore Park).Later this month councillors will vote on City recommendations to note the next steps of the October 2016 Council resolution being the preparation a scope for a conceptual Master Plan to guide enhancement of the park precinct and a business feasibility analysis for the possible establishment of a commercial cafe.
Foreshore survey points
72 per cent of respondents visit the park at least once a week. Some of the most popular features of the park were its peace and tranquillity, the views of the Perth skyline, the Canning River, the beach and the sense of space. Dislikes included no cafe or restaurant, lack of shade and not enough parking.
MORE: parents caught off guard by out-of-school-hours care closure
MORE: Perth teacher named Australia’s sexiest vegan
MORE: Perth Modern School Campaign Group welcomes turnaround on moving school to CBD high-rise