MIRRABOOKA Local Area Plan - City of Stirling

engagement and culturally and linguistically diverse community
engagement workshops were used in the development of the plan,
to ensure the diverse range of community interests were captured
in the process. People were also able to submit comments or
petitions. The surveys sought to reliably measure the values,
attitudes and priorities of community members and to initiate more
in-depth deliberation at the community forums. Discussion then led
to the identification of priorities and preferences and development of
the following vision statement:
In the Year 2020 the Mirrabooka Local Area is an area that
celebrates its diversity through its social connectedness and
activities, is a welcome open safe environment and is enhanced by
local parks, managed bushland and ‘green’ streetscapes. It has a
community that respects differences and one that is proud of their
area.
The Community
The Mirrabooka Local Area is a relatively new area in terms of the
history of development throughout the City of Stirling. The first
residential development in the area only occurred in the 1980’s.
Key features of the local community profile are such that the Area:
- is a culturally diverse community (approximately half of the
community were born overseas and over 55% of residents speak
a language other than English at home);
- has a much younger community and higher family orientated
population than other areas of the City of Stirling and Perth
Metropolitan Area – with 74% of all households being ‘family
households’; and
- has experienced a slow-down in population growth in recent
years relative to other parts of the City and Perth Metropolitan
Area (most likely due to the area being already developed).
The community engagement process found that most residents
wanted to draw on these key features to enhance the community
further. For instance, by highlighting and celebrating cultural
difference, intercultural appreciation could be formed within the
diverse community.
Natural Environment
The natural environment was quite important to the community,
especially the Aboriginal community. The Bush Forever Site and
various local parks and reserves were identified as favourite places,
for their environmental value and provision for social interaction.
The community engagement also revealed a desire to be involved
in environmental decision making in the area. The Aboriginal
representatives in particular indicated that they would like to assist
in natural resource management planning of the area.
Housing and Built Environment
The development of further dwellings and greater housing diversity
is another important consideration for the community and presents
much opportunity for the future development of the local area.
There is a need to increase housing diversity and also a need to
provide more affordable housing. The community recognises the
need for smaller and appropriately designed housing to meet such
needs. Meanwhile, many landowners are seeking opportunities to
capitalise on the development potential of large lots, allowing lower
density areas to be rezoned to accommodate greater housing
density. However, support for higher density varies across the local
area, with greater support for increased density around the
Mirrabooka Village Shopping Centre.
Although the current housing stock is not as old as other parts of
the City, some areas in Mirrabooka do require redevelopment to
renew and improve residential areas. Although rezoning will provide
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CITY OF STIRLING MIRRABOOKA LOCAL AREA PLAN
January 2010