KARRINYUP / GWELUP Local Area Plan - City of Stirling

Improve Major Centres
Improvement of central “activity centres” was identified as a top
priority at community forums, and the two centres mentioned in this
context were Karrinyup Regional Centre (priorities relating broadly
to improvement and expansion) and Gwelup Plaza (relating to
expansion). These are the two centres of significance within the
Local Area.
In surveys and at workshops, Karrinyup Regional Centre (the
shopping centre and its surrounds) was a particular focus of
discussion, perhaps because of its current scale and impact upon
the Local Area. Its importance can be seen to be reflected in its
identification as the top place “most in need of improvement” (in a
three-way tie with Lake Gwelup and ‘road design and
streetscaping’), as well as its identification as the second “best
place” within the Local Area.
Karrinyup Regional Centre is identified as an Activity Centre within
Network City, the State Government’s primary strategy for the
Perth/Peel Region. According to Network City, an Activity Centre
should provide a higher intensity mix of businesses, services,
residences and more, with good public transportation serving the
centre. This sort of vision appears to be well supported by the Local
Area community in many ways, and suggestions for increased
numbers of local businesses and a better mix of uses were
commonly targeted at this centre.
As discussed in the Built Environment issues and opportunities
section, Karrinyup Shopping Centre management have been
advised that any expansion will require the development of a
Concept Plan with the City. Such a Plan would enable a complete
revision of the centre, and provide opportunities to better integrate
new and existing facilities on the site. As mentioned in forums, for
example, the Library and Community Centre could be upgraded
and better integrated into the Centre, and a better mix of uses at the
Centre’s periphery (including a wider range of housing types,
businesses and retail) could further activate the Centre. Requests
for increased diversity of operating hours were also related to the
Centre, and the evening and entertainment opportunities so
frequently mentioned (particularly cafes and restaurants) would
support such a change. In the shorter term, longer operating hours
for the food court could provide evening dining opportunities and
support a greater diversity of operating hours for other businesses.
The Local Area may currently lack employment opportunities within
the central activity centre and Local Area generally, and greater
opportunities may be presented by the upgrading of the Karrinyup
Centre. This is in addition to the Stirling City Centre project which
offers the opportunity to provide greater economic and employment
opportunities for Karrinyup-Gwelup residents.
While there was less detailed discussion of Gwelup Plaza, it was
identified as number five in the “top five places most in need of
improvement” by community survey respondents, and number five
in the “top five best places”. As well as suggestions that it be
expanded, community forum participants suggested that it have a
better mix of uses (including cafes and restaurants), and that a
‘main street’ or ‘high street’ commercial strip be set up around the
centre, providing a mix of uses in a smaller scale, walkable
environment.
Local/Convenience Shopping
Providing a balance to a focus on larger activity centres, a diverse
and walkable Local Area economic environment would feature
small, local convenience shopping and corner shops. The need for
such shopping opportunities was rated number three in response to
the question “What is the one thing missing in the area that you
would like to see?” in community surveys. This supports increased
CITY OF STIRLING 73
KARRINYUP-GWELUP LOCAL AREA PLAN
February 2010