MIRRABOOKA Local Area Plan - City of Stirling

Transport and Movement Network Profile
The transport and movement network influences how people carry
out a variety of activities and can have significant impact on local
communities and development. The ways that transport needs are
planned are particularly significant given the impact of increasing
financial costs of transportation on communities, the effects of car
use and traffic congestion on quality of life and the urban form, as
well as global environmental and socio-economic issues such as
climate change and peak-oil.
Current reliance on motor vehicles for transport is generally
considered unsustainable in contrast to public transport, cycling and
walking. These are more affordable, present fewer environmental
costs, and provide opportunities for the development of healthy and
safe communities. It is this context that underpins the following
profile of local transport and movement networks for the Mirrabooka
Local Area.
The City is developing an Integrated Transport Strategy which aims
to encourage more sustainable and efficient transportation, a more
accessible and equitable transport system and promotes public
transport over private transport. It encourages (among other things)
the development of local centres and linking these with public
transport as well as strategic improvements to pedestrian and
cyclist networks.
Transportation Infrastructure
The Mirrabooka Local Area, like much of the Perth Metropolitan
Region, has been largely developed with motorist accessibility in
mind and with less provision for walking, cycling and public
transport.
Roads Network, Traffic and Road Management
The Mirrabooka Local Area is bound by four regional roads – Reid
Highway (a primary regional road), Alexander Drive, Beach Road
and Mirrabooka Avenue. Reid Highway connects the area with key
employment destinations such as Balcatta and connects with
Mitchell Freeway. The City controls all local roads and some
regional roads such as Alexander Drive, Beach Road and
Mirrabooka Avenue, whereas Main Roads Western Australia
controls Reid Highway.
In addition, the City has also lobbied for construction of overpasses
at the intersections of Reid Highway and Alexander Drive and
Mirrabooka Avenue. Numerous accidents have occurred at these
intersections in recent times. The former State Government
committed to the construction of the Alexander Drive overpass. As
yet there has been no funding commitment towards construction of
an overpass at Mirrabooka Avenue.
Pedestrian Amenity
The Mirrabooka Local Area has been designed around a curvilinear
and cul-de-sac layout, a result of 1970s and 1980s planning. In
more recent times, difficulties associated with such street patterns
have become evident. These include poor pedestrian legibility
(ability to clearly see where you are in the area) and permeability
(ability to easily get through the area). This is clearly evident in the
Pedestrian Footpath Network diagram below. There is currently a
lack of direct paved routes for pedestrians to take. These issues
can discourage walking and cycling and given the lack of other
pedestrians about, people may also feel less safe walking.
Pedestrian Access Ways can however provide some links between
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
January 2010