Laying down the lawn in lastest revamp for Cottesloe Beach

LONGER, larger grass terraces flowing to the Indiana restaurant are in the latest draft plan to refurbish the rundown front at Cottesloe Beach.

Last night, a committee recommended the concept as part of a wider draft foreshore masterplan to be considered by the council later this month.

However, there have been 13 other unsuccessful plans, designs and other concepts to upgrade the beachfront, its car park and adjacent Marine Parade since 2002.

Asked why this draft masterplan would succeed, Mayor Phil Angers said it had benefitted from the best of others’ ideas being investigated and used.

The latest planning, which started this year, split the project into work on the beach’s 150-bay main car park and the parade, and a second section for the nearby 300-bay Napier Street car park.

In June, 29 selected residents workshopped concepts earlier derived from both designers who had looked into previous plans and 505 new public submissions.

A report said the submissions and workshop showed there was support for the parade to North Cottesloe being realigned for safety, more alfresco dining on its east side, and barbecues, lighting and spaces for pedestrians.

As a result, the draft’s option for the main car park shows part of the site being used for the larger grass terraces, a pedestrian piazza on its east, sports areas or barbecues on its north-west edge, and a group of short-term car bays at its north.

The draft has two options for the nearby 300-bay Napier Street car park, comprising potential below and open-air parking with low-level development on a strip along the parade, and ideas for up to four or five storeys including short-stay accommodation.

Mr Angers said the options’ benefits including underground parking, potential grass roofing and increased rates revenue to help maintain the beachfront.

He said the costs and the timing of the draft masterplan had yet to be established, and would depend on the feedback from the next round of public comment to be considered by the council on August 27.