Cities of Melville and Canning receive $1.6 million in Federal Government funding for energy and park projects

THE Cities of Melville and Canning have received more than $1 million in funding as part of the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs program.

The City of Canning received $1 million for the Wharf St basin project, while the City of Melville received $500,000 to help reduce energy costs and emissions at its facilities.

The funding came through Round Two of the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program, with 32 projects across Australia receiving $21 million.

Canning Mayor Paul Ng said the funding would provide amenity to the proposed high density development surrounding the site.

“Wharf Street Basin is currently an inaccessible, fenced off piece of land that acts as drainage infrastructure for the City,” he said.

“The funding will allow the City of Canning to redefine the future of inaccessible water retention basins through the redevelopment of Wharf Street Basin into a Next Generation Community Park that embraces smart design and smart technology to deliver opportunities for recreation and education, and improvements to natural systems.

“Water quality and amenity will be improved within the basin and its surrounds through re-vegetation with appropriate local native species. These large areas of landscaping with native species will add to the City’s intended outcomes of increasing natural areas.”

Mayor Ng said the development would bring a “pleasing and functional water environment” to the city centre.

“There will be opportunities for recreation, as well as educating the community about wetlands and stormwater management, in addition to improvements to natural systems,” he said.

“Smart technology including solar bollards, a living lab space, smart benches, interactive signage and a weather station are possibilities for inclusion into the park.”

Melville Chief executive Marten Tieleman said he welcomed the funding for the project, which was being run in partnership with Murdoch University.

“This exciting project aims to improve the energy efficiency of the City’s public facilities through smarter management, improved customer comfort, reduced resource consumption and lots of learning,” he said.

“Efficiency also means we will be able to create cost savings in energy and divert the money saved to other important community services and programs.”

Mr Tieleman said as part of the project plan, the City would engage with the community and share “learnings” regarding energy management and conservation practices.

“This project will help in better understanding of the optimal use of energy and how to improve the integration of renewable energy, better load management on the grid as well as the potential of reduction of emissions from the City,” he said.

“What we want to do is improve the quality of liveability within the City of Melville and we believe this project will lead to a smart approach for energy management and a more secure, reliable and cost effective local electricity supply.

“The City of Melville is committed to supporting a sustainable future for our community and this project is a small step towards our vision of working together for community wellbeing for today and tomorrow.”

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said many of the projects would collect valuable, sensor-based data that, once analysed, could mean sharing the projects nationally, and internationally.

“This program helps local governments who are pushing the boundaries with new ideas to address liveability issues that are facing local communities everywhere,” he said.