Proposed plaza plan for Cott Beach carpark

COTTESLOE Beach’s carpark could become a plaza with more grass terraces but the council needs State Government support to make it happen.

A select group of community members took part in a public workshop last Saturday where consultants Aspect Studios presented four ideas for the carpark, adjacent Marine Parade and nearby Napier Street using 554 responses from surveys in April and May.

“There is no guarantee that the end result of this process will be a completed project, however the town is hoping our community will support the draft Cottesloe foreshore masterplan when it has been developed, and that they will get behind us to put pressure on the State Government for assistance in funding,” Cottesloe Mayor Philip Angers said.

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The public responded to a council plan under development, including delays and a rejig after Andrew Forrest took over the Indiana restaurant, in several forms since 2012.

Community responses indicated 58 per cent wanted paved and grassed areas at the currently 150-bay car park, 24 per cent favoured grass and recreational space, 15 per cent only grass and three per cent just pavement for events.

The consultant’s resulting ideas comprised more grass terraces below a long plaza, two squares boxed by trees, a curved plaza and a combination of both curved and straight areas.

“You could have bollards which pop up at 7pm and go down at 10pm, allowing people to spill out from the cafes and use the plaza, like they do in France,” resident Damien McCann said.

On Marine Parade, slowed traffic and wider footpaths prompted criticism of a danger to cycling pelotons, while at Napier Street, ideas included 500 bays on two levels and a multi-storey building possibly with a lookout, a visitor centre and shops.

The workshop’s 29 selected residents were often split between not supporting any of the designs or totally backing others, and Cottesloe Residents and Ratepayers Association secretary Yvonne Hart said it appeared low-key activation of the foreshore was wanted, but long-term and currently uncosted investment would be needed.

There were no new toilets, but council chief executive Mat Humfrey said complaints about Indiana restaurant facilities had fallen since the council took over responsibility last year.

The draft foreshore masterplan may be finalised by the council about August.