Carine â Hamersley Local Area Plan Outcomes Table - City of Stirling

CITY OF STIRLING 1 

CARINE-HAMERSLEY LOCAL AREA PLAN

In the year 2020 the Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a place for everyone. While the peaceful, safe residential character of the place remains, 

a wider range of housing types means families, young people and seniors can al l find opport unities to li ve well and make friends. Meeting 

places and activities have allowed a strong sense of community to develop. Sustainable transport options enable people to travel easily around 

the area and access places for relaxing and socialising both during the day and in the evening. Carine-Hamersley has become distinguished by 

the quality of its natural environment, as native plantings enable the place to flourish within its natural capacity, and green, leafy streets lead the 

way to high quality open space that provides a heart for the Local Area. 

 

 

 

 

Councillor David Boothman - Mayor City of Stirling 

 

 

CITY OF STIRLING 


Contents 

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................................................................1 

Contents.............................................................................................................................................................................................................3 

Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................................................................................5 

Carine – Hamersley Local Area Plan Outcomes Table......................................................................................................................................9 

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................................................13 

Planning Context..............................................................................................................................................................................................19 

Community Vision and Values .........................................................................................................................................................................34 

Carine-Hamersley Community .........................................................................................................................................................................46 

Carine-Hamersley Natural Environment ..........................................................................................................................................................53 

Carine-Hamersley Built Environment ...............................................................................................................................................................57 

Carine-Hamersley Economic Environment ......................................................................................................................................................64 

Carine-Hamersley Movement Network ............................................................................................................................................................70 

Carine-Hamersley Local Area Key Opportunities ...........................................................................................................................................77 



PART1: 

SUMMARY & OUTCOMES 



Executive Summary 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area Plan is the first comprehensive, 

community based plan the City of Stirling has produced for this 

locality. The plan has been produced as part of the City’s Local 

Area Planning program, which provides a local focus and 

encourages integrated planning and management at the community 

level. This allows for holistic consideration of social, economic and 

environmental issues and unique opportunities in a Local Area and 

integrates the outcomes of community engagement with the City’s 

broader strategic objectives. Local Area Planning also 

acknowledges that the City is not uniform in character and function 

and that community values and issues of concern vary from place 

to place. 

The plan presents a detailed profile of the Local Area and how it 

relates to the wider metropolitan area. This provides the context for 

analyzing potential future direction for the area. The profile 

combines empirical planning research with the outcomes of the 

community engagement process and what the visions for the Local 

Area are within the community. The plan then instigates achievable 

actions to work towards the realization of the community’s vision. 

The plan also serves as a reference guide and decision making tool 

for the City’s business units, Council, landowners and the 

community more generally. 

Hamersley. The precinct is bounded by North Beach Road/Reid 

Highway, Beach Road, Mitchell Freeway and Marmion Road The 

Local Area covers approximately 1,080 hectares and is 

approximately 10km from Perth city centre. 

The Local Area is fairly uniform in land use character, with mostly 

low-density residential development. Two other major features of 

the area are the large Carine Regional Open Space and the ABC 

radio tower site, which includes a large area of bushland. Being an 

established residential area the Carine-Hamersley Local Area 

benefits from a variety of community amenities, including schools, 

parks and recreational facilities. The Local Area abuts the City of 

Joondalup (north of Beach Road), which also contains amenities for 

Local residents, including shopping centres, entertainment facilities 

and Warwick train station. 

The Local Area 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a northern locality within the 

City of Stirling, encompassing the suburbs of Carine and 



Community engagement 

The local community’s input has been central to the development of 

the plan. This follows the intentions of the state government’s 

Network City and recognizes that many residents and business 

operators have a keen interest in planning for the future of their 

neighbourhoods. Community input not only allows planning for the 

Local Area to be more responsive to local needs and opportunities, 

but also aims to build capacity in the Local Area and the sharing of 

ideas and experiences. 

Community and youth surveys, and community planning forums 

were used in the development of the plan to represent a diverse 

range of community interests 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. 

4,000 resident surveys were distributed, with some 752 being 

returned, thus providing a statistically valid representation of views. 

Specially designed surveys were given to youth at Carine Senior 

High School, and while the response rates for these did not yield 

statistically valid results they provide anecdotal insight into various 

local interests. Two community forums were then held to bring 

representatives of the community together to discuss their ideas, 

concerns and aspirations for the area. Discussion then led to the 

identification of priorities and preferences and development of the 

following vision statement: - 

In the year 2020 the Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a place for 

everyone. While the peaceful, safe residential character of the place 

remains, a wider range of housing types means families, young 

people and seniors can all find opportunities to live well and make 

friends. Meeting places and activities have allowed a strong sense 

of community to develop. Sustainable transport options enable 

people to travel easily around the area and access places for 

relaxing and socialising both during the day and in the evening. 

Carine-Hamersley has become distinguished by the quality of its 

natural environment, as native plantings enable the place to flourish 

within its natural capacity, and green, leafy streets lead the way to 

high quality open space that provides a heart for the Local Area. 

The Community 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area community is not particularly 

diverse. It is characterised by a relatively large proportion of older 

people and school-aged children and youth, but does not have 

many younger people and has less cultural diversity than many 

surrounding areas. The Local Area is largely family orientated 

(explaining the mix of older and school-aged residents), but with an 

increasing number of retirees and concern over loss of young 

people in the area due to lack of housing affordability, efforts are 

needed to ensure everyone can live in the area. Apart from housing 

to enable different sectors of the community to live in the area, 

opportunities for more social activities amongst different sectors are 

considered necessary. Importantly, there is also recognition of the 

need to foster a more diverse sense of community, with 

opportunities for different sectors of the community to mix and make 

friends. 

A stronger sense of community is one of the community’s highest 

overall priorities for the place, and this is connected to a strong call 

for more communal areas and social meeting places, as well as 

activities that enable people to mix with others in their 

neighbourhood. 

Natural Environment 

Protection and enhancement of the natural environment is one of 

the local community’s highest priorities, and is closely bound up 

with the area’s identity. Carine Regional Open Space is clearly the 

community’s favourite place within the area, and is considered to be 



either the heart of the local area, or its potential heart. Other parks 

and reserves such as Aintree Eglington Reserve and Rannoch Tay 

Earn Reserve are also of great value as part of the place. 

There is pressure on the natural environment in the Local Area as 

ongoing water shortages and loss of biodiversity become 

increasingly pressing concerns. The need for native and waterwise 

plantings in open space, and even some replacement of lawned 

areas with waterwise vegetation at sites of passive recreation, has 

been highlighted. Natural and conservation areas, and bushland 

regeneration, are priorities for the area, as is protection of wetlands. 

As a central element of the Local Area’s desired character, the 

green and environmentally sustainable nature of the place must be 

reflected not just in areas of public open space, but also in private 

gardens, verges and median strips. 

Housing and Built Environment 

While retention of the existing low density residential character of 

the built form is the local community’s major priority for the built 

form of the place, this is very closely followed by perception of the 

need to provide more housing diversity. The Local Area has been 

developed as a place most suitable for families, and the 

combination of an ageing population and lack of housing 

affordability for younger people wishing to live in the area creates 

the need for a wider range of housing types. This may be facilitated 

through a number of mechanisms, including offering density 

bonuses, increasing residential densities to facilitate a greater 

number of smaller villa-type or affordable dwellings, and 

redevelopment of the Carine TAFE site. 

Interestingly, although the general trend is towards retention of the 

current Residential R20 zoning, residents from the area bounded by 

Reid Highway, Beach Road, Mitchell Freeway and Erindale Road 

support an increase in residential density. This relates closely to the 

preference for increased development around the Warwick Train 

Station (at the northwest corner of this precinct) and shopping 

centres such as Centro Warwick (at the northwest corner of the 

precinct). 

The mixing of residential uses with retail and entertainment is also 

considered important, and the redevelopment of the Carine TAFE 

site provides an opportunity to provide such a mix. Commercial 

development at this site (alongside a range of housing types) would 

not just benefit those living within the site but also those in the 

surrounding areas. 

Movement Network 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area has a number of advantages in 

terms of transportation, including close proximity to the Warwick 

Train Station on its northern border, and a number of bus routes 

along Wanneroo Road and Beach Road. However, despite these 

options, local community members are highly car dependent, and 

consider improvements to transportation options and the movement 

network necessary. 

Improved connectivity and sustainable transportation opportunities 

are the community’s overall highest priority for the Local Area. 

Connection of pedestrian and cycle paths to public transport routes 

and nodes would facilitate a reduction in car use in the area. In the 

case of Warwick Train Station, for example, because many 

commuters rely on park ‘n’ ride facilities at the station, and parking 

spaces are therefore in short supply, train use tends to be replaced 

by car journeys to and from work. With sufficient foot/cycle path 

access to the station, many more people could access the train and 

reduce the need for additional parking as well as greenhouse gas 

emissions. 



A further constraint to the use of sustainable transportation options is the infrequency of bus services. Improvement to this situation requires 

discussion between the City and the Public Transport Authority, which controls bus services. A community run bus is another option proposed 

by local community members. 

The City of Stirling’s TravelSmart Project offers a great opportunity to work with the State government and local communities to promote and 

increase walking, cycling and public transport use. 

Key Opportunities 

The key opportunities for the Carine-Hamersley Local Area over the next 10-15 years, which have been identified through the Local Area 

Planning process, include: - 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strengthening the role of Carine Regional Open Space as the community heart of the area 

Redeveloping the Carine TAFE site to provide a mix of amenities for different sectors of the local community 

Increasing residential densities between Centro Warwick and the Warwick Train Station 

Increasing provision of retirement housing 

Creating an environmentally sustainable area through waterwise plantings, conservation areas, and protected wetlands 

Encouraging sustainable transport options through a high quality pedestrian and bicycle network, and good public transportation. 

Carine-Hamersley Community Vision 

In the year 2020 the Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a place for everyone. While the peaceful, safe residential character of the place remains, 

a wider range of housing types means families, young people and seniors can all find opportunities to live well and make friends. Meeting 

places and activities have allowed a strong sense of community to develop. Sustainable transport options enable people to travel easily around 

the area and access places for relaxing and socialising both during the day and in the evening. Carine-Hamersley has become distinguished by 

the quality of its natural environment, as native plantings enable the place to flourish within its natural capacity, and green, leafy streets lead 

the way to high quality open space that provides a heart for the Local Area. 



Carine – Hamersley Local Area Plan Outcomes Table 

This outcomes table provides a snapshot of the outcomes to achieve over the 10-15 year lifespan of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area Plan. 

Designed to realise the community vision for the Local Area, and based upon priorities ascertained through community engagement, the 

outcomes listed below will form the basis of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area Implementation Plan. All actions within this Implementation Plan 

(reviewed and amended annually) will be developed in relation to an outcome below. 

Carine-Hamersley Community Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is characterised by its strong sense of community, where families and individuals, young and old, can be 

involved in a range of community activities, and a vital part of the life of the place. 

Outcome 2 

Carine Regional Open space is the heart of the Local Area, where people can meet and socialise, recreate, relax, enjoy the natural 

environment, and feel connected to their place. 

Outcome 3 

Social meeting places and communal areas create a vibrant and active public realm where people can enjoy the company of others within their 

own Local Area. 

Outcome 4 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a safe place, where people feel at home and secure in both private and public spaces. 



Carine-Hamersley Natural Environment Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

Parks and open space are maintained and enhanced to contribute to the ecological sustainability of the area, with some irrigated lawn areas on 

passive reserves reinstated with bushland planting to conserve groundwater. 

Outcome 2 

Suitable parks become community social hubs – community parks – with amenities, landscaping and activities that encourage social events and 

community building. 

Outcome 3 

Verges and front gardens are well designed and maintained, creating attractive, leafy streetscapes. 

Outcome 4 

Bushland in the Local Area is protected and rejuvenated, with the area’s healthy natural environment becoming a vital element of its unique 

sense of place. 

Carine-Hamersley Built Environment Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

The overall character of the built environment is maintained, with the area remaining predominantly a pleasant and peaceful residential area. 

Outcome 2 

Retirement housing is provided to enable older residents to remain a vital part of their local community. 

Outcome 3 

Opportunities are made available for increasing housing in a limited number of suitable locations to make the most of existing facilities and 

amenities such as shopping and public transportation. 

Outcome 4 

Greater diversity of houses including small dwellings and more affordable housing enables a range of people including young people and 

retirees in particular to live in the area. 



Carine-Hamersley Economic Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1 

Local businesses in the area thrive as restaurants and cafes provide somewhere to socialise and relax. 

Outcome 2 

The Carine TAFE site is redeveloped to provide a greater range of facilities and amenities within the area. 

Outcome 3 

Selecting sites close to commercial centres around the Local Area for increased residential development helps retain businesses by 

providing them with a greater customer base. 

Outcome 4 

Local skills are matched with local employment possibilities where possible. 

Carine-Hamersley Movement Network Outcomes to Achieve 

Outcome 1: 

Good links by public and possibly community-run transport to key locations such as train stations and shops enable people to travel more 

sustainably. 

Outcome 2: 

Walkable neighbourhoods are supported by a safe, well connected, designed and maintained footpath network. 

Outcome 3: 

A safe and well connected bicycle network enables people to travel to a variety of locations including shops, parks, schools, work and the train 

station. 

Outcome 4: 

Roads, verges and medians are well designed and maintained, contributing to the high quality of the area’s movement network. 



Part 2: 

Background Study 



Introduction 

Introduction 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area Plan is the first comprehensive, 

community based plan the City of Stirling has produced for this 

unique locality. The plan has been produced as part of the City’s 

Local Area Planning program, which provides a local focus and 

encourages integrated planning and management at the community 

level. 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area Plan brings together the 

outcomes of a specifically designed community engagement 

process with the broader strategic objectives of the City of Stirling to 

build a vision for the future of the Local Area. The plan aims to 

instigate actions and guide decisions that will work towards the 

realisation of this vision. 

This document presents a detailed profile of the Local Area - its 

people, its character and its environment; as well as current 

projects and its likely future direction. This profile provides a context 

for analysing what makes this area special, what its future needs 

will be, and how it relates to the wider metropolitan region. 

The community’s input has been central to profiling and analysing 

the area, through the examination of local issues and opportunities. 

Community involvement has also been central to the development 

of the vision for the future of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area and 

in the identification of aspirations, priorities and actions to bring this 

vision to fruition. 

The analysis of the Local Area and the community engagement 

findings are brought together in a discussion of each Focus Area, 

which presents the key ‘desired outcomes’ to be achieved over the 

lifespan of this plan. The Carine-Hamersley Local Area Plan will 

progressively implemented over the coming 10-15 years through an 

annual Implementation Plan that identifies actions to achieve these 

desired outcomes. Periodic monitoring and review of the plan and 

its implementation will take place and the Carine-Hamersley 

community will be kept up to date on progress and are encouraged 

to get involved. 

Background 

The notion of introducing Local Area Planning into the planning 

system of the City of Stirling was first raised in discussion during 

2004, as an example of a process for reviewing residential density. 

The concept of using the system for more holistic planning, rather 

than purely for density review, was then explored, and it was 

subsequently included on the list of key strategic planning initiatives 

to be considered as part of a review of the City’s Strategic Plan 

during 2005. Considerable research and analysis of the concepts 

and practice of local-area style planning was subsequently 

undertaken by Council planning staff to identify options for the City 

of Stirling. Discussions and briefing sessions with Council, 

Executive staff and affected Business Units were also undertaken 

to examine how such a system would operate within the City. 

In October 2005, a Local Area Planning project proposal was 

presented to Council and Council subsequently resolved that the 



objectives of the project and the proposed Local Area Planning 

boundaries be endorsed, and that a pilot Local Area Planning study 

be initiated. A pilot project was proposed so that the principles and 

methodology of the process could be tested before application Citywide. 

The Dianella Local Area was chosen as the pilot area, with 

the project conducted in 2006. 

The pilot project in Dianella proved successful, with an effective 

community engagement process taking place and the City’s first 

Local Area Plan being adopted. This led to Council adopting a roll 

out of the Local Area Planning program across the City in October 

2006, with 2-3 projects to be commenced each year. The Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area was subsequently chosen as the second 

project of 2007. 

The information gathered from these events was then collated and 

analysed for incorporation into this plan (the key results are 

presented in Chapter 3). In addition to the information gathered 

from community input, considerable research on the Local Area 

was also conducted to provide information both to the community 

and for this plan. The preparation of this Local Area Plan has also 

involved analysis of a wide variety of documents, plans and policies 

that affect the area, the City of Stirling and the Perth metropolitan 

region. The resulting plan thus provides a synthesis of strategic 

planning documents and community aspirations. Another integral 

aspect of preparing this plan was working with the City’s Business 

Units and other relevant stakeholders to discuss local issues, 

opportunities and community priorities to develop widely supported 

and achievable outcomes for the Carine-Hamersley Local Area. 

Community engagement with the Carine-Hamersley community 

was conducted between May and June 2007 and used a number of 

techniques to inform, motivate and engage the community in the 

project. The major components of the consultation phase included: 

Community Surveys – a postal survey was sent to a random 

selection of 4,000 residents in the Local Area; 

Community Forums – two large forums were held to bring 

together discussion among residents, business & property 

owners, community groups and other stakeholders; and 

Youth Engagement – a Youth Survey was given to students at 

Carine Senior High School and was completed by sixteen 

students. 



What is Local Area Planning? 

Local Area Planning is a contemporary approach to planning that 

concentrates on planning for a defined area, rather than broad 

plans that cover the entire City, or strategies based on individual 

issues. This approach allows a comprehensive range of issues to 

be considered at both the local and regional level and addresses 

these issues through integrated planning strategies. It requires a 

holistic approach to planning which seeks to incorporate 

stakeholders and community members into the planning process in 

a collaborative approach to community building. Local Area 

Planning is a proactive, rather than reactive, process that enables 

the integration of social, environmental and economic initiatives into 

one plan that guides both the short and longer term direction of a 

Local Area. 

This method of planning is used extensively in Australia and 

internationally and is increasing in prominence in Western Australia, 

both within local governments and State planning agencies. Local 

Area Planning is similar to ‘precinct planning’ or ‘place planning’ in 

that it involves preparing a plan for an identified geographical area 

in order to facilitate development, change or better management 

within that area. The size of the subject area can vary – boundaries 

can be defined by a number of criteria, such as land use, character, 

population and identified boundaries. However the size of the area 

selected is based more so on management systems and the 

objectives of the project. 

The Local Area Planning system acknowledges that the City is not 

uniform in character and function and that community values and 

issues of concern can vary from place to place. A focus on smaller 

areas allows local issues and the uniqueness of the area to be 

explored in greater depth, whilst still considering the impact of the 

area’s regional context. The process also enables closer, more 

comprehensive consultation with the local community at the start of 

the planning process, rather than just presenting plans to the 

community and asking them to accept them. More community 

involvement also creates a better exchange of knowledge and 

experiences between the City and its residents and among the 

community itself, thus building better understanding and stronger 

ties. 

Another major objective of Local Area Planning is that it facilitates 

integrated planning - different disciplines and stakeholders working 

together on one plan that addresses many issues or topics. This 

requires stakeholders to share information and their objectives or 

aspirations for the area and enables them to work together to 

develop common goals for the future direction of the area. 

Integrated planning can avoid the conflicts and contradictions which 

can often arise when issues are addressed in isolation to one 

another. The City’s Local Area Plans are not just planning 

department documents, they are strategies, reference documents 

and decision making guides for all the City’s business units, for 

Council, developers, land owners and the community. 

Local Area Planning in the City of Stirling divides the large 

municipality into smaller localities to enable more fine-grained 

planning, community engagement and management. Twelve 

individual Local Area s have been identified within the City (shown 

overleaf). Each Local Area is an area of a manageable size with a 

somewhat similar character that is generally defined by physical 

and identifiable boundaries, such as suburb boundaries, major 

roads, and where appropriate, changes in land use character or 

density. 



The 12 Local Area s of the City of Stirling 



Local Area Planning Framework 

Principles 

The following principles guide decision-making in the Local Area Planning process: 

Sustainability 

Sustainability integrates positive community, environmental and economic outcomes to provide quality of life for today’s and 

tomorrow’s communities. 

Accessibility 

Planning should maximise opportunities for community members of varied abilities and backgrounds to access the facilities and 

services they require. 

Diversity and Choice 

Planning should provide for diverse community needs, including housing and employment, and build on the strengths that 

diversity in communities affords. 

Community Building 

Planning should work to create and enhance places that people feel connected to, and foster interaction between community 

members. 

Appropriateness 

Good planning is sensitive to what is appropriate development for an area, with regard to regional context and practicalities. 



Objectives 

The objectives of the Local Area Planning program are: 

Processes 

The following are the key elements of the process of developing Local 

Area Plans with local communities: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To develop a commonly embraced 'vision' for each Local Area which 

recognises areas of local significance and key attributes contributing 

to each area's sense of place; 

To identify issues of priority to the local community and work with 

them to developing practical solutions to these, within the context of 

a regional framework; 

To review key planning issues, policies and forces acting on Local 

Area s within the City and develop a coordinated response to these; 

To identify specific ‘opportunities’ and 'constraints' within each Local 

Area and develop strategies to address these; 

To foster open lines of communication between the City and the 

community; 

To create a sound and comprehensible statutory and strategic 

planning framework for each Local Area to allow delivery of the 

vision and plan; and 

To help ensure that each Local Area operates in a sustainable way 

and in balance with surrounding precincts and other areas of 

influence. 

 

Integration 

Local Area Planning brings together many stakeholders and a 

comprehensive range of issues. Integrated planning enables better 

coordination and more efficient management. 

 

Communication 

Local Area Planning is an effective tool for improving the City’s 

communication with the public. Integration and implementation of 

plans will also require strong communication with stakeholders. 

 

Public Participation 

Public involvement in Local Area Planning is crucial to its success. All 

those with a stake in a Local Area ’s future must be actively 

encouraged to be involved through collaborative planning. 

 

Prioritisation 

Local Area Planning acknowledges that different communities have 

different priorities. Local Area Plans will recognise, emphasise and 

respond to the key issues identified as community priorities. 



Planning Context 

Study Area 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a northern locality within the 

City of Stirling. The precinct is bounded by North Beach Road/Reid 

Highway, Beach Road, Mitchell Freeway and Marmion Road, and 

encompasses the suburbs of Carine and Hamersley. The Local 

Area covers approximately 1,080 hectares and is 10km from Perth 

city centre. 

The Local Area is fairly uniform in land use character, with mostly 

low-density residential development. Two other major features of 

the area are the large Carine Regional Open Space and the ABC 

radio tower site, which includes a large area of bushland. Being an 

established residential area, the Carine-Hamersley Local Area 

benefits from a variety of community amenities, including schools, 

parks and recreational facilities. The Local Area abuts the City of 

Joondalup (north of Beach Road), which also contains amenities for 

local residents, including shopping centres, entertainment facilities 

and Warwick train station. Key amenities in the Carine-Hamersley 

Local Area include: 

Shopping Centres 

Local centre on Marmion Ave, consisting of a takeaway and 

convenience retail; 

Carine Glades shopping centre serves many of the Local 

Area ’s shopping needs, although it is just outside the Local Area’s 

northern boundary on the corner of Beach Road and Okely Road; 

and 

Centro Warwick/Warwick Grove is a regional shopping 

centre which lies just outside the Local Area ’s northern boundary at 

the corner of Beach Road and Erindale Road, and serves many of 

the Local Area ’s shopping needs. 

Major Parks and Reserves 

Carine Regional Open Space, Carine 

Arbuckle Reserve, Carine 

Beach Reserve, Carine 

Rannoch Tay Reserve, Hamersley 

Aintree Eglington Reserve, Hamersley 

Schools 

Australian School for International Education, Carine 

Carine Primary School, Carine 

Carine Senior High School, Carine 

Davallia Kindergarten, Carine 

East Hamersley Primary School, Hamersley 

Glendale Primary School, Hamersley 

West Coast College of TAFE, Carine 

Community Facilities / Clubs 

Hamersley Recreation Centre 

Sports clubs 

Disabled riding school at Carine Regional Open Space 





Historical Overview 

Oral and written histories identify much of the land within the City of 

Stirling as being used and cared for by Indigenous Australians for 

many years prior to European settlement. There are numerous 

registered heritage sites across the City that indicate past 

occupation by Indigenous peoples or sites of cultural significance to 

Indigenous peoples. Before European settlement, the Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area formed part of a larger area of land which 

was occupied by the Mooro people, an Indigenous Australian 

people who traversed the lakes and wetlands running parallel to the 

coast between what is now Perth and Yanchep. Carine takes its 

name from Indigenous references – whereby “Carine” is reportedly 

an Aboriginal word for “black gloved wallaby”. R. Quinn first used 

the name in 1865 in naming the local wetlands “Big Carine Swamp” 

and “Small Carine Swamp”. 

Upon European settlement of the Local Area, land was primarily 

used for farming and grazing, the areas around the Carine Swamps 

affording fertile soil suitable for such purposes. Other parts of the 

Local Area were left as timber reserves and bushland, for they 

offered minimal agricultural or farming potential. The area was 

initially owned by the Hamersley family, who arrived from Europe to 

settle in the Swan River Colony in 1837. The Hamersley Estate 

extended across what is now known as Carine, Hamersley, North 

Beach and Waterman. Edward Hamersley sold the 20-hectare 

Carine Homestead to Alfred Okely in 1871, and in 1883 Okely 

purchased the adjoining property. The property came to be passed 

down three generations of the Okely family. In the 1890s Richard 

Stubberfield also came to inherit a site beside Little Carine Swamp. 

Stubberfield took up market gardening and bee keeping on the site 

and was the last of the late 19 th century pioneer wetland small 

farmers in the future City of Stirling. Other agricultural and farming 

activities were later established, including the establishment of a 

small piggery and horse stable near Little Carine Swamp, and the 

Beetles Dairy in Okely Road, which operated until 1915. 

Pioneer Carine market gardener Richard Stubberfield, (back row) with his 

parents, sisters and brother, 1904. 

Urban development began in the area in the 1970s. Much of 

Hamersley was rezoned from “deferred urban” to “urban” in the 

Metropolitan Region Scheme and released for development as a 

response to concern over rising land prices in the Perth 

Metropolitan Area in the 1960s. The area was subsequently 

planned for under Town Planning Scheme No 26. The locality 



emained vacant and unsurveyed until 1972, when the first 

subdivision was laid out between Beach and Erindale Roads, 

Eglington Crescent and the future Mitchell Freeway. By the late 

1970s the subdivision and development of Hamersley was 

essentially complete. The subdivision of Carine, in the area 

bounded by Everingham Street, Okely and North Beach Roads, 

also commenced at this time. Development of Carine occurred into 

the 1980s with the westernmost sections of the suburb having most 

recently developed. It is of note that Hamersley was the first suburb 

in Perth’s northern suburbs to be designed around cul-de-sacs and 

curvilinear road layouts, representing a shift in subdivision design in 

Perth. 

In the early days of these residential developments, residents relied 

on partly built main roads, distant shopping centres and 

overstretched local facilities. A locally-produced fortnightly 

newspaper, the Hamersley Gazette, was started in early 1973 by 

Peter Flanigan from his home in Manton Court. It covered the 

suburbs of Carine, Hamersley, Warwick and Greenwood, with the 

aim of helping to form community associations and campaign for 

better facilities. The paper was acquired in February 1977 by Bill 

Marwick of the Wanneroo Times, and evolved into the Stirling 

Times in 1980. 

During the 1970s the development of various facilities occurred 

over the area including Carine High School, Carine TAFE, Carine 

Gardens Caravan Park, the nearby Carine Glades Shopping Centre 

and local primary schools. Warwick Grove was also established 

around this time, which serviced the local Hamersley community. 

Lady Margaret Elvire Forrest, nee Hamersley, on her 

Wedding day, 1876 



Regional Context 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is well located within the Perth 

Metropolitan Region, being approximately 13km from Perth city 

centre and 3.5km from the coast. In the context of the vast urban 

growth of Perth, the area is relatively well positioned in its proximity 

to the Perth city centre, which remains the key economic and social 

hub of the region. This, and its proximity to the coast, has made this 

an increasingly desirable area within the region. 

Although primarily residential in character, the Carine-Hamersley 

area is fortunate to be home to the regionally important Carine 

Regional Open Space, which attracts visitors from many 

surrounding areas due to the quality and range of activities there. 

The Local Area also benefits from the areas at its periphery, which 

provide the local community with a wide range of current and 

potential amenities. 

A range of retail, commercial and civic services and facilities are 

provided at Warwick Grove Regional Centre, which is located to 

the north of the Local Area. These include Centro Warwick 

Shopping Centre, Warwick Community Hall, Dorchester Hall (a 

community hall), and Grand Cinemas Warwick. Warwick Grove is 

identified as an activity centre under the State’s Network City 

planning strategy and as a major centre in the Western Australian 

Planning Commission’s Metropolitan Centres Policy. Activity 

centres should provide for a large range of retail, office, 

entertainment, recreation and community facilities and associated 

employment. Carine Glades Shopping Centres, which is also 

located to the north of the Local Area, provides further retail 

facilities for the area. 

Stirling’s regional context 



The eastern edge of the Local Area is bound by Wanneroo Road 

which has potential to develop into an ‘activity corridor’ as 

designated in the State’s Network City planning strategy. An activity 

corridor is a major road with good public transport where activity 

clusters. The diversity and intensity of development along 

Wanneroo Road is therefore likely to increase in the future, possibly 

with higher density development and a greater mix of commercial 

activities such as offices, dining and retail. 

The Karrinyup Regional Centre is also in proximity to the Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area. This regional centre is based around 

Karrinyup Shopping Centre, which provides commercial services 

and employment opportunities. The centre also provides 

community facilities such as Karrinyup Library and a community 

recreation centre. The suburb of Karrinyup also contains a large 

sports centre, which is also accessible to residents of the Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area. 

Warwick Open Space and Star Swamp Bush land also surround 

the Local Area to the north east and west respectively and provide 

residents of the Local Area with recreation opportunities and 

enhanced amenity. 

The Balcatta Industrial Area, which is located south of the Local 

Area is a significant regional employment hub which employs 

approximately 5,000 people. The area consists of various 

manufacturing, commercial and retail businesses. It also includes 

regional facilities such as the City of Stirling works depot and 

Western Power and Water Corporation offices. 



State Planning Framework 

The following review of the principal State Government planning 

documents provides an overview of the statutory and strategic 

planning framework that operates within the Perth metropolitan 

region. The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is within this 

metropolitan context and the plan for the locality and any future 

development must be consistent with the objectives and 

requirements of these documents. 

State Sustainability Strategy 

The State Sustainability Strategy, released by the Department of 

Premier and Cabinet in 2003, is designed as a whole of government 

strategy to promote sustainability in government, private sector and 

community activities. It establishes a framework of sustainability 

principles, visions and goals across key areas such as urban 

settlements and natural resource protection. This is followed by 

examples and actions for governments, business and community 

members to follow, stressing the need for a triple bottom line 

approach to development which encompasses environmental, 

social and economic sustainability. The Local Area Planning 

program is a major initiative by the City of Stirling to work towards 

its own mission of ‘creating quality lifestyle and sustainable 

development’. Local Area Planning encompasses the triple bottom 

line approach and aims to balance community, environmental and 

economic needs. 

Key aims and objectives of the State Sustainability Strategy that 

Local Area Planning can facilitate include: 

 

 

 

Create a quality built environment in Western Australia 

through the conservation of cultural heritage, the development of 

quality urban design, creating a ‘sense of place’ in new and 

revitalised areas, and the active development of quality public 

spaces. 

Communities develop through close participation in solving 

their own sustainability issues…to facilitate community development 

‘bottom-up’. 

State and local governments are acting in unison to realise a 

sustainable future for the Western Australian community. Other 

partnerships with universities, civil society and industry are able to 

creatively resolve sustainability issues. 

 

The development and application, in consultation with the 

community, of a range of techniques and initiatives that will 

contribute to the sustainability and regeneration of existing centres 

and suburbs. 

The three interrelated pillars of sustainability 



State Planning Strategy 

The State Planning Strategy (1997) is prepared and administered 

by the Western Australian Planning Commission and the 

Department for Planning and Infrastructure to guide planning, 

development, resource protection and conservation across the 

State. The strategy examines major issues and trends influencing 

the State and sets out a vision for future development. The strategy 

contains five guiding principles – environmental, community, 

economic, infrastructure and regional principles, and details 

strategies and actions under each principle for the State 

government, local government and other agencies to follow. The 

strategy includes numerous criteria that plans should include to 

address these principles and strategies. Some of the criteria that 

are relevant to Local Area Planning include: 

Encourage mixed use development; 

Encourage a range of housing densities; 

Maximise the potential for development near public transport 

routes; 

Provide a central community focus; 

Ensure that consultation occurs at appropriate stages in the 

planning process; and 

Ensure environmental issues are considered in the preparation 

of plans. 

Metropolitan Region Scheme 

The Metropolitan Region Scheme (1963) is the overarching 

statutory planning scheme for the Perth metropolitan region. It 

classifies all land in the region into general zones, such as Urban, 

Industrial or Rural, or into reserves, such as for Parks and 

Recreation or High Schools. The scheme text that accompanies the 

map establishes provisions for development control across the 

region, such as requiring local government schemes to be 

consistent with the broad zonings of the MRS map. 

Under the MRS, the Carine-Hamersley Local Area is zoned Urban, 

with the exception of Parks and Reserves (Carine Regional Open 

Space), a High School (Carine Senior High School), and a 

Technical School (Carine TAFE). 

Network City 

In 2004 the Western Australian Planning Commission released 

Network City: Community Planning Strategy for Perth and Peel as 

the new strategic plan for the region, to guide development for the 

next 30 years. The strategy was developed in response to 

anticipated population growth, changing community expectations of 

the planning system, and the need for a more sustainable Perth 

region. The strategy emphasises a need not only for changes in 

development patterns but also in how planning is conducted, 

stressing that ‘the key will be to plan through participative decisionmaking 

at a local and regional level’. The development of the 

strategy was based on an extensive and innovative public 

consultation program, which saw more people than ever actively 

involved in planning for the metropolitan region. 

Network City guides metropolitan land use patterns, planning 

activity and decision making. The premise of a ‘network city’ is 

based on reinforcement or development of ‘activity corridors’ (major 

roads with good public transport where activity clusters) and ‘activity 

centres’ (key commercial and employment centres), with land use, 

housing and transport systems developed to support this network. 

Within the Carine-Hamersley Local Area, Beach Road from 

Wanneroo Road to the Mitchell Freeway is identified as a ‘primary 

activity corridor with excellent public transport’. Wanneroo Road, 

which forms the eastern border of the Local Area, is also identified 



as a primary activity corridor. Marmion Avenue, which borders the 

area to the west, is identified as a ‘transport corridor for cars, trucks 

and express buses’, with poorer facilities for non-motorised forms of 

transport, as is Reid Highway to the south. Centro Warwick, on the 

northern border of the Local Area on Beach Road, is an ‘activity 

centre' on an activity corridor’. The plan is however conceptual, not 

prescriptive, and the concept of activity centres or corridors could 

be applied to other suitable centres or roads in the Local Area. 

Objectives of Network City that are relevant to Local Area Planning 

include: 

Accommodate urban growth primarily within a network city 

pattern, incorporating communities; 

Align transport systems and land use to optimise accessibility 

and amenity; 

Protect and enhance the natural environment, open spaces and 

heritage; 

Deliver for all a better quality of life, building on our existing 

strengths; 

Plan with the communities. 

Metropolitan Centres Policy 

This Metropolitan Centres Policy is a statutory State Planning Policy 

and provides the regional planning framework to co-ordinate the 

location and development of retail and commercial activities across 

Perth. The policy establishes a hierarchy of different size centres 

across the region and controls the number, location and floor size of 

major retail and commercial centres, including city centre, regional 

and district centres. The policy aims to define and reinforce the 

roles of different types of centres, whether it be major employment 

provision, recreation, entertainment, or daily convenience shopping. 

The policy also guides the development of local commercial 

strategies by local governments. The most recent version of the 

Centres policy was gazetted in 2000, however it is likely that the 

provisions of the policy will be reviewed and modified so that it is a 

more effective tool for implementing the more recent Network City 

strategy. 

State Planning Policy 3.5 Historic Heritage Conservations 

State Planning Policy 3.5 Historic Heritage Conservations sets out 

the principles of planning for the conservation and protection of 

Western Australia’s historic heritage. It ensures that places and 

areas of heritage significance are conserved; that development 

does not adversely impact places with significant heritage value and 

that landowners and developers are aware of heritage processes. 

The policy applies in most part to heritage areas, buildings, 

structures and other man made and natural landscapes, which are 

of heritage significance at a State and local level. Heritage 

protection is important for Western Australia’s social, environmental 

and economic prosperity and enhances connection to place and the 

quality of the built environment. 

The Network City Concept of Activity Corridors and Activity Centres 



Metropolitan Transport Strategy 

The State’s Transport Strategy was released in 1995 and aims to 

facilitate an efficient and accessible transport system for the Perth 

region through better co-ordination, integration and efficiency in 

transport and land use planning and management. The strategy 

acknowledges that the dominance of private vehicles in Perth’s 

transport system is likely to continue over coming decades yet 

identifies that changes need to be made to address the high levels 

of pollution, congestion, accidents and costs associated with the 

system. Goals to address these issues include improving and 

promoting walking, cycling and public transport; better land use mix 

and higher densities at strategic locations; and development of 

accessible commercial and employment centres. Since the release 

of the Transport Strategy several more specific plans and policies 

have been developed to implement its goals, such as Bike Ahead, 

TravelSmart 2010 and the Freight Transport Strategy. 

Bush Forever 2000 

Bush Forever is a State Government strategy for the conservation 

of bushland and natural environments across Perth. The strategy 

aims to protect ten percent of each of the 26 different types of 

vegetation complexes originally found on the Swan Coastal Plain, 

and to conserve threatened ecological communities. The strategy 

identifies valued sites across the region that should be reserved, 

maintained or rehabilitated for conservation and/or recreation 

purposes. These sites may be in public or private ownership. The 

Western Australian Planning Commission has also prepared a draft 

State Planning Policy to provide statutory support to Bush Forever. 

There are nine Bush Forever sites within the City of Stirling, with 

Carine Regional Open Space being on of these. 

Residential Design Codes 

The State’s Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) is a statutory 

State Planning Policy that provides the base standards for local 

governments to control residential development. The Codes 

prescribe measures for requirements such as lot size, parking, 

setbacks, open space and building heights, to guide housing 

developers and local governments on what can be approved as 

acceptable development. Some degree of flexibility on these 

measures is however provided through the ‘performance criteria’ 

assessment method, which allows developments to be assessed 

against performance or objectives based statements. State 

legislation requires all local governments to adopt the Residential 

Design Codes and they are adopted through Stirling’s District 

Planning Scheme. The City has also adopted a number of 

residential development policies to strengthen or clarify the 

requirements of the Codes, including policies on streetscapes, 

building height and parking. 

Carine Regional Open Space is a Bush Forever site 



City of Stirling Planning Framework 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area Plan sits within a broader 

planning framework that operates within the City of Stirling. A range 

of plans, strategies and policies are developed by the City to guide 

the management and development of the City and its inhabitants. 

Key documents include: 

The City of Stirling’s Strategic Plan 2004/2008 

The Strategic Plan 2004/2008 is the blueprint for what Council 

hopes to achieve and how this will be done over a five-year period. 

The plan incorporates Council’s vision, mission and values and 

guides operational activities through the Key Result Areas of: 

‘Our Community’ – to provide services that meet changing 

community needs; 

‘Our Built and Natural Environment’ – to encourage sustainability 

and enhance choice in the built environment, while preserving and 

enhancing the natural environment; and 

‘Our Economic Opportunity’ – to enhance opportunity, choice, and 

prosperity for the community by encouraging sustainable economic 

development of the City. 

Through its Strategic Plan 2004/2008, the City of Stirling also 

ensures that resources are managed effectively and good 

governance is provided for the benefit of the community. A Strategic 

Plan 2008/2013 is due for release in mid-2008. 

Local Planning Strategy 

The City’s draft Local Planning Strategy was prepared in 2004 to 

facilitate the review of the current District Planning Scheme and to 

articulate the future direction of development across the City over 

the coming 20–30 years. The strategy covers a comprehensive 

range of topics, such as Population & Housing, Commercial 

Centres, and Community & Recreation Facilities, identifying the 

current situation, key issues, and future trends in each topic. This 

information provides the basis from which to build the Planning 

Scheme and to develop more specific planning strategies. 

District Planning Scheme No. 2 

The District Planning Scheme, which was gazetted in 1985, is the 

current planning scheme controlling development across the City. 

The scheme and the scheme map establish zoning of land, uses 

and development permitted on that land, and development 

standards such as parking and setback requirements for industrial 

or commercial development, and also includes provisions for 

heritage protection and detailed requirements for special precincts, 

including Roselea and Princeton estates. A wide range of policies 

to control development has also been adopted under the scheme. 

Following a review of the Scheme, Local Planning Scheme No. 3 

was advertised in late 2007/early 2008. 

Commercial Strategy 

The draft Local Commercial Strategy covers all commercial centres 

in the City from the large regional centres, to the district, local and 

neighbourhood centres. The strategy identifies objectives for each 

type of commercial centre and guides the planning of these activity 

nodes, including the limitations on expansion, centres that require 

specific action or improvement, and supporting services and 

facilities. The strategy relates to the provisions of the State 

Government’s Metropolitan Centres Policy and also provides 

Council with a basis for decision making for each centre. 



Industrial Areas in Transition Management Strategy 

In response to emerging trends affecting the City's industrial areas 

including increase in retailing from established industrial premises, 

large showrooms seeking to locate in industrial areas, and 

associated traffic and amenity issues, the City has recently adopted 

a strategy to manage and control development within its industrial 

areas. The strategy, covering the City’s industrial areas in Balcatta, 

Osborne Park and Dianella, proposes a containment of showroom 

activity to major roads, an amendment to the City’s Planning 

Scheme to better control development, and design guidelines. 

Housing Strategy 

The City is currently preparing a Local Housing Strategy to guide 

the future development of housing and residential lots across the 

City. The strategy will provide a general overview of housingrelated 

issues and the housing profile of the City and establish what 

changes or improvements are needed in planning schemes and 

policies to provide more housing choice and a more sustainable 

built environment. The housing strategy will also inform any plans 

or decisions for changing residential densities within the City, and it 

will guide consultation and decision making in the Local Area 

Planning project. 

Public Open Space Strategy 

Development of parks and reserves in the locality will be guided in 

the future by the City’s Draft Public Open Space Strategy. This 

strategy will be used to guide an inventory, assessment, and 

classification of all reserves in each Local Area, with a subsequent 

plan for the future management and development of the reserves 

being prepared. 

Following Council endorsement of the strategy, the City will 

progressively develop local public open space plans for 

individual/grouped suburbs. These plans will aim to produce an 

accessible network of public open spaces that offer varying levels of 

local sport and recreational opportunities. The Carine/Hamersley 

local area public open space planning will identify “community 

parks” which will be developed with park amenities and landscaping 

to encourage social activities and community interaction – such as 

play spaces, barbecues, sheltered seats/tables, toilets and drink 

fountains. 

Integrated Transport Strategy 

An Integrated Transport Strategy is currently being developed to 

facilitate increased accessibility for all members of the community, 

through resource efficient and sustainable approaches to transport 

planning. Key principles underlying the strategy are reducing car 

dependency, increasing public transport use and increasing 

pedestrian and cyclist amenity. The strategy examines the 

relationship between land use and travel and establishes ways to 

improve access and transport options between homes, workplaces, 

commercial centres and other activity nodes. 

Seniors and Youth Strategies 

The City recognises that different sectors of the community have 

different needs and that specific strategies are needed to 

adequately plan for different groups. The City has adopted a 

Children’s and Youth Strategy and is anticipating finalising its 

Seniors Strategy in late 2007. These strategies will direct the 

provision of specific services and facilities for different age groups, 

as well as look at measures for enhancing quality of life and 

community interaction for these groups. 



Plans and Projects for the Carine-Hamersley 

Locality 

Carine TAFE Site Redevelopment 

In September 2006, Council considered a proposal from the 

Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) to rezone the 

Carine TAFE site. The Department of Education and Training 

closed the college as part of its rationalisation of services, and the 

site must be rezoned before it can be developed or used for another 

purpose. The WAPC proposes to amend the Metropolitan Region 

Scheme to rezone the Carine TAFE site from a Public Purpose 

Reserve (Technical School) to Urban. The City of Stirling would 

then be required to amend its District Planning Scheme to rezone 

the site to an ‘Urban’ type zoning, such as residential. Following 

both of these rezonings a Structure Plan will be prepared to show 

how the land will be redeveloped. 

those around it, that capitalises on its locational advantages to 

produce a ‘pedestrian focussed’ living experience”. 

Key elements of LandCorp proposal include single and grouped 

residential dwellings, a possible Retirement Village and/or Aged 

Care Facilities, innovative design and environment initiatives, 

possible mixed-use development, and optimal retention of 

vegetation and landform. 

A number of respondents in the community survey, when asked 

which areas in the Local Area require improvement, commented on 

the former TAFE site and almost all comments related to the need 

to redevelop the site. 

The TAFE site is a significant one, comprising 7.95 hectares 

(79,250m²) and containing bushland of local social and 

environmental value. Council resolved not to support the MRS 

Amendment pending completion of an investigation into the 

potential benefits of relocating the Carine High School to the TAFE 

site. Council has requested ongoing consultation with the City’s 

Natural Areas Committee on the proposed redevelopment. The 

proposed Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment has been 

advertised by the WAPC and is now being finalised. 

The City of Stirling has approved LandCorp, in partnership with 

Cedar Woods Properties Limited, developing the site as outlined in 

their November 2007 Expression of Interest document. The vision 

presented by LandCorp is as follows: 

“LandCorp’s vision for the Site is to create an innovative 

development which builds upon the natural features of the Site and 



Carine Regional Open Space Masterplan 

The largest public open space reserve in the Local Area is Carine 

Regional Open Space. Regional open spaces are important 

regional facilities as they have multiple functions for organised 

sports, active recreation, passive leisure, environmental 

conservation and providing ‘green relief’ to the built form of the City. 

They not only serve the surrounding Local Area, but also provide for 

a wider regional catchment, which creates a wide suite of demands 

on such spaces. 

In managing the complex demands on regional open spaces, the 

City of Stirling is developing Masterplans for these sites and Council 

endorsed the Carine Regional Open Space Masterplan in 2003. 

The Masterplan has been developed to manage how the space 

accommodates various social and recreational functions; how the 

natural environment will be maintained; and to plan for any 

improvements or new facilities to serve community and 

environmental needs in the future. A number of park amenity, car 

park, path and playground works have been completed, and this will 

continue to occur based on annual budget funding in the future. 

Elements of the plan recently or soon to be completed include: 

Construction of a segregated bicycle path as part of the Perth 

Bicycle Network; 

Major car park additions; 

Shelter and park furniture improvements; 

Irrigation improvements; 

Playground upgrade; and 

Natural area rehabilitation including path and boardwalk 

construction. 

Rannoch Tay Community Park 

The City is currently undertaking a Council endorsed Community 

Park Development Program, by redeveloping a select group of 

parks across the City to encourage use at a local community level. 

The program intends to increase awareness of the importance of 

parks in the community for social, cultural, health and 

environmental benefits. The parks are developed with facilities such 

as barbeques, playgrounds, picnic tables, shelters, drinking 

fountains and a variety of recreational spaces in a high quality 

landscape setting. The first reserve in the Carine-Hamersley Local 

Area to be selected for development as a community park is 

Rannoch Tay Reserve in Hamersley. It is aimed for a number of 

community parks to be established across the Local Area over 

coming years. This will be aided by the development of the City’s 

Public Open Space Networking Strategy and the subsequent 

Carine-Hamersley Local Area Public Open Space Plan. 

Skate Park at Carine Regional Open Space 



TravelSmart 

TravelSmart is an innovative travel behaviour program that has 

been running at the City of Stirling for several years. The highly 

successful Australian initiative helps individuals, schools and 

workplaces make smarter choices about the way they travel. It 

uses a range of projects to promote alternatives to car use and 

encourages people to swap one or two of their weekly car journeys 

to a smarter, more sustainable form of transport, such as walking, 

cycling, public transport or car-pooling. Being TravelSmart has a 

number of benefits, including increased physical activity and fitness, 

more activity in local communities, less traffic, saving petrol, 

decreased pollution and less greenhouse gas emissions. 

A range of different TravelSmart programs, with residents, 

workplaces and schools are currently being initiated across the City. 

Schools in the Carine-Hamersley Local Area can be assisted by the 

City’s TravelSmart Officer to set up a ‘Walking School Bus’ or 

develop their own school-specific plan, whilst companies and other 

workplaces can also be assisted to develop a Green Transport Plan 

for their workplace. While Carine Primary School had a Walking 

School Bus, which allowed children to walk to school under the 

supervision of volunteering parents, the initiative was discontinued 

due to an insufficient number of parents volunteering in the 

program. Parents able to volunteer just one morning or afternoon a 

week could (re)introduce this highly beneficial initiative at any 

primary school in the area, which helps children to become more 

familiar with their environment, contribute to greenhouse gas 

emission reduction, and improve their health in a safe environment. 

East Hamersley Primary School has been involved in TravelSmart 

to School, which involves sending students to a workshop hosted 

by the City to Stirling to learn about sustainability and to bring the 

lessons back to their school to mentor other students in making 

more sustainable travel choices. 

Follow My Lead 

The City of Stirling launched the ‘Follow My Lead’ walking group 

project in 2006. This community-based program is designed to 

increase the physical activity levels of residents whilst also 

encouraging responsible dog ownership in the local community. 

‘Follow My Lead’ aims to get City of Stirling residents of all ages 

walking both for exercise and social interaction, where local 

residents meet up for regular walks at a nearby reserve. The 

program also encourages people to bring their dogs along as well, 

although dog ownership is not necessary to join a group. ‘Follow 

my lead’ walking groups are set up at various parks and reserves 

around the City. 



Community Vision and Values 

Community Engagement Process 

The City of Stirling understands the importance of planning with 

local communities for the future of Local Areas. Benefits of 

collaborative planning between the City and community are many, 

and include: 

Providing more balanced and fair plans that meet both 

community and City objectives; 

Increasing understanding of community and City priorities 

(shared learning); 

Strengthening community bonds to build a stronger sense of 

community; 

Improving communication between the City and the public; and 

Identifying outcomes that are more likely to meet the needs of 

local communities. 

Community engagement runs throughout the lifespan of each Local 

Area Planning project. Beginning each project with surveys 

(followed by workshops), community priorities and values 

ascertained then form an integral part of each Local Area Plan. By 

taking this approach, the City is able to move beyond the traditional 

community consultation model of simply advising people of planning 

proposals and inviting public comment on them. 

A variety of methods were used to engage a broad range of 

community members of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area. These 

methods are outlined below. People were also able to submit 

written or email comments, suggestions or petitions. 

Community Surveys 

As the first stage in the Local Area Planning project for Carine- 

Hamersley, surveys were used to reliably measure the values, 

attitudes and priorities of community members across a range of 

topics and issues relevant to the development of a Local Area Plan, 

and to raise awareness of the project itself. Survey results were 

also used as a starting point for more in-depth deliberation at 

community forums. 

Plan for local places to develop identity and pride, and to 

increase social and cultural capital, by engaging the 

community in decision making. 

WA Network City strategy 

The Community Survey was posted to 4,000 randomly selected 

residents within the Local Area and a total of 752 were returned. 

This provides a reliability of +/-5 at 95%, offering 95% assurance 

that results are no more than 5% different to results that would be 

received if the entire population of 12,000 had been surveyed. 

Demographic information provided indicated survey responses 

reflected a good representation of the wider community’s views. 

A specifically designed Youth Survey was also given to students at 

Carine Senior High School. Sixteen students responded, and while 

the results from the Youth Survey are not statistically valid, they 

provide some valuable insight into youth views and priorities for the 

area. 



Community Forums 

Two community-planning forums were held in June 2007 to bring 

community members together to plan for the next 10-15 years of 

the Local Area. Forums were open to all members of the Carine- 

Hamersley community including residents, property owners, 

business proprietors, resident groups and community organisations. 

Other stakeholders such as State Government agencies were also 

invited. 102 people took part in the forums held on Saturday 

morning 23 June 2008 and Wednesday evening 27 June 2008. 

3. Community Building: 

Contribution of community members in achieving their vision for the 

future of the area. 

4. Reflections: 

Reviewing the vision; individual and table top three priorities; and 

rating personal satisfaction with the forum. 

Community engagement experts Estill and Associates assisted in 

designing and conducting the forums. Each forum included 

presentations by the City, four themed sessions led by Estill, 

facilitated discussions in small tables, feedback between the tables, 

and a reflection session. Participants’ comments and ideas were 

recorded individually and also on a ‘table worksheet’ that recorded 

consensus themes and priorities for each table. 

The four sessions at each forum were: 

1. Community Vision: 

Individual and table visions for the Local Area in 20 years' time. 

2. Priorities and Preferences: 

Priorities for planning for: 

movement and transport; 

buildings and land uses; 

activity centres and community hubs; and 

recreation and public open space. 



Community Engagement Findings 

Analysis of each public submission and planning forum was 

undertaken to identify the key themes, issues and values. This 

analysis highlighted majority held opinions, issues or concerns for 

particular groups or areas, and individual ideas and aspirations. A 

comprehensive summary of the findings is presented over the next 

five sections of the Plan. This section discusses commonly 

identified values, issues and opportunities. 

Community Perceptions and Values 

Community engagement was used to identify common perceptions 

of the place, and core values and aspirations - how residents feel 

about the area, what is important for the future, and commonly 

shared values that can be considered ‘community values’. 

Satisfaction with the Local Area 

The survey demonstrated that residents of the Carine-Hamersley 

Local Area are quite happy with the place overall. When asked to 

rank their satisfaction with the area as a place to live on a scale of 1 

to 9, 86% of respondents gave a score of 6 or more, with only 5% 

giving a ‘dissatisfied’ rating (3 or less). 

32% 

27% 

Meanwhile about half of the students were ‘very satisfied’ with the 

Local Area as a place to live, whilst none were ‘very dissatisfied’. 

The most pleasing aspects of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area 

identified through community engagement were the natural 

environment - particularly the benefits provided by public open 

space in the area - and the Local Area ’s peaceful, safe and familyfriendly 

residential character. 

Character of the Local Area 

Residents feel that the Carine-Hamersley Local Area has a 

moderate level of distinctiveness that distinguishes it from other 

localities, and there was a fairly strong desire to increase this 

distinctiveness, with 52% of survey respondents indicating they 

would definitely or probably want their area to have a more 

distinctive character, and only 13% saying it is not important. 

3 

5 

21 

18 

20 19 

8 

4 

2 

10% 

14% 

13% 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

No discernable character Moderate character Very distinctive character 

0% 1% 1% 

3% 

How distinctive do you think the character of the area is at the moment? 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Very dissatisfied Reasonably satisfied Very 

satisfied 

How satisfied with the Local Area are you? 

Respondents identified ‘natural and conservation areas’ and ‘the 

overall feeling/appearance of the area’ as the most important 

elements in protecting or developing the area’s character. Natural 



elements such as ‘front gardens and verges’ would also help to 

define local identity, as would ‘family or household types’ and the 

density of the built form. ‘Incomes and occupations’ as well as 

‘cultures, ethnicity or religions’ were not identified as being strong 

elements in distinguishing the area from others. These are 

illustrated in the table below: 

The people 

Family or household types 55% 

Incomes / occupations 20% 

Special Places 

There were also many special places identified within the locality. 

The survey and forums clearly identified Carine Regional Open 

Space as residents’ favourite place in the locality, due to the large 

Favourite Places (Top 5): 

1. Carine Regional Open Space 

2. Carine Glades Shopping Centre 

3. Various Parks 

4. Hamersley Recreation Centre 

5. Warwick Grove 

The feeling 

The built form 

Nature / 

landscaping 

Cultures, ethnicity or religions 14% 

Level of activity or vibrancy 41% 

The overall feeling / 78% 

appearance 

Architectural style / age 22% 

High or low density 44% 

Mix of residential & other 28% 

areas 

Natural & conservation areas 80% 

Front gardens & verges 69% 

area of open space; its multi-functional nature; the natural 

environment; and its appearance. For 45% of respondents, it is the 

‘heart’ of the area, and for others who do not believe the area to 

currently have a “heart” it is the best site to create one. Several 

other parks and gardens across the Local Area were also identified 

as ‘favourite places’, particularly Eglington Aintree Reserve and 

Rannoch Tay Earn Reserve. The centres at Carine Glades and 

Warwick Grove (Centro Warwick) were both favourite places, 

although both are just outside the northern border of the Local Area. 

Both provide the opportunity to access a variety of retail goods as 

well as personal services. Hamersley Recreation Centre, with its 

wide range of recreational classes and activities for all ages is also 

highly valued within the community. 

Which of the following are most important in protecting or developing the 

character of the Local Area? 



Issues and Concerns 

Engagement with the Carine-Hamersley Local Area community 

identified key issues and concerns for the City of Stirling, 

community members and others to address. These range from 

simple concerns to complex issues, and some matters may require 

further investigation and a multifaceted approach to their resolution. 

These are discussed below. 

Entertainment and Recreation 

One of the strongest themes to emerge from community 

consultation was the need for more evening or entertainment 

activities, with cafes or restaurants being the most commonly 

mentioned amenities lacking in the area. The importance of 

entertainment as well as recreational activities emerged through 

discussions of possible developments at Carine Regional Open 

Space, with requests for more recreational facilities and possibly a 

café. Other entertainment/recreation facilities mentioned were a 

swimming pool, and more generally communal areas to meet and 

socialise. 

What is the one thing missing in the area that you would 

like to see? 

1. Cafes or restaurants 

2. Swimming pool 

3. Bus service and quality bus shelters 

4. Specialty shops, convenience retail i.e. local deli 

5. Well maintained and safe roads and footpaths 

Sense of Community 

A stronger sense of community was expressed as a common need, 

and is likely to be related to the desire for shared social spaces. 

Shared social spaces could take the form (at least in part) of the 

local shops requested by a number of survey respondents and the 

‘heart’ for the Local Area also requested. The realisation of this 

desire for a stronger sense of community is entirely dependent on 

both the City and the community. 

“Can we have a community focal point in the Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area?” 

Transport/Movement Network 

The transport/movement network is also a concern for the Carine- 

Hamersley community, particularly in terms of the conditions for 

sustainable modes of transport such as buses, footpaths and cycle 

paths and the way these connect with local facilities and transport 

hubs. Although a number of roads are of particular concern to some 

residents – in particular Reid Highway in terms of safety – when 

asked to prioritise, the majority of forum participants chose 

improvements to the pedestrian network and the cycle network as 

more important than improving accessibility for motorists. 

Improvements to roads, verges, medians and footpaths, which 

would enhance motorist and pedestrian safety, were however also 

recorded as community priorities. Parking, particularly at Warwick 

Train Station, was also a major concern for community members 

hoping to travel by sustainable travel modes, and this may be 

related to the perceived lack of adequate bus services and public 

transport links to key facilities and centres. The need for public 

transport was highlighted with the need for an increased frequency 

bus service through the area. The majority of participants also felt 

that the bus service should concentrate on the Local Area and that 

a small community-operated, volunteer run, free local bus would be 

of great benefit to the community. 



Local Parks and Reserves 

Local parks and reserves, including Carine Regional Open Space, 

whilst being identified as the favourite place of many local residents, 

also featured as places most in need of improvement. The 

importance of maintaining and enhancing these spaces was 

recognised by forum participants, as was maintaining their 

ecological integrity. Some community members felt that 

improvements could include a café at Carine Regional Open Space 

and/or more open-air community events, while many others desired 

minimal change to these areas. When discussing key concerns 

regarding the ABC Tower Site, many residents felt that the retention 

of the existing bushland was important. 

Housing, Ageing and Affordability 

Housing and the ageing population are two related areas of concern 

for the community. When asked to consider future housing needs, 

50% of survey respondents said there was not enough housing for 

retired people. There is also a desire to ensure sufficient support 

facilities and services for seniors, such as aged care, transport and 

recreation. Many residents also feel there is insufficient housing for 

low-income earners and first homebuyers, and insufficient provision 

of small dwellings, thereby minimising the extent to which a mix of 

people can live in the area, including young people and young 

families. 

Interestingly, although not enough youth surveys were administered 

to make them statistically valid, they provided valuable insights into 

youth concerns for the future of the area. When compared to the 

broader ‘community survey’, youth survey participants voiced a 

greater concern over housing diversity. Students were generally 

less content with the provision of small dwellings, apartments/flats 

and affordable housing. When compared to the wider community, 

fewer students felt the need for more retirement housing. However, 

most students thought that there was about the right level of 

housing for large families and that there was enough total housing, 

which reflected the results of the broader survey. 

100% 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 

Small Dwellings 

Apartments/flats 

Retirement villas 

Housing for large families 

Affordable housing 

Total housing supply 

Too much 

About enough 

Not enough 

How do you feel about the range of housing types to meet the area’s 

needs in the next 10-20 years? 

Security, Safety and Infrastructure 

Although generally people are ‘reasonably satisfied’ with safety and 

security, there are some concerns with burglary, antisocial 

behaviour and graffiti. Residents would like to see the area remain 

a ‘family friendly, pleasant and safe place to live’. The need for 

more street lighting, public toilets and underground power was also 

identified. 



Opportunities and Ideas 

Dialogue with the community has identified many opportunities and 

ideas for the future of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area. Some of 

the most common or innovative suggestions are discussed under 

each theme below. 

1. Build a Stronger Sense of Community 

At planning forums, participants expressed a desire to develop a 

stronger sense of community, and this would entail more communal 

space and more community activities including activities for the 

aged and youth. Participants commented that they were willing to 

take numerous actions themselves to work towards a stronger 

sense of community. These actions included adopting a park, 

holding street parties, getting involved in community groups and 

events, holding fairs/fetes and walking around the Local Area more. 

The development of a ‘community heart’ at Carine Regional Open 

Space would also help to foster a stronger sense of community. 

While the City can facilitate the creation of social spaces, and 

programs and activities that provide opportunities for interaction, the 

active involvement of the community in using such spaces and 

programs will be integral to their success. 

3. Increase Housing Diversity 

There were strong levels of demand for increased housing diversity 

in the Local Area. As well as a clear desire for increased provision 

of housing for retirees, there was also a call for greater affordability, 

and different housing sizes to facilitate this. There was also support 

for well planned and well developed higher density housing around 

the Warwick Train station and shopping centres along Beach Road 

at the northern boundary of the Local Area. The former TAFE site 

was also identified as a potential area to provide greater housing 

diversity and housing density including aged persons’ dwellings. It 

was commented that new development should retain the area’s 

local character. 

4. Increase Development in ‘Area E’ 

A key opportunity to increase housing diversity is to increase 

residential development in Area E (see map below). This was the 

only part of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area where a greater 

proportion of residents were in favour of density increases in their 

particular area than were opposed. This area is ideally located in 

2. Increase Entertainment and Evening Activity 

Many survey and forum participants cited increased provision of 

entertainment and evening activities as a key priority in the Local 

Area. The facilitation of night-time activities at Carine Regional 

Open Space, the establishment of a community hub at the Carine 

TAFE site or Carine Regional Open Space, and the development of 

restaurants and cafes at these sites were commonly suggested by 

participants of Local Area Planning forums. 

Areas A-F in the Carine-Hamersley Local Area 



terms of many key facilities and amenities: the Warwick Train 

Station at its north-west corner provides train and bus services, and 

the Warwick Grove Regional Centre, including Centro Warwick, a 

cinema and a range of other amenities, is at the north east corner. 

Adjacent to the Regional Centre is the large Warwick Regional 

Open Space, which provides for a range of recreational and leisure 

needs. At its southern boundary, the Balcatta Industrial Area is a 

primary employment centre, identified in the State Government’s 

Network City strategy as a strategic ‘Activity Centre’, as is Warwick 

Grove Regional Centre. 

In addition to its locational advantages, further development within 

Area E may have been requested due to the age and quality of its 

housing stock. Many of the houses in this area (unlike many to the 

west) are older 1970s homes, some of which have fallen into 

varying states of disrepair. New development would stimulate some 

replacement of ageing building stock, and a small increase in 

residential density could increase the opportunities for people to 

move into this increasingly central area without dramatically 

changing its character. 

5. Create an Environmentally Sustainable Local Area 

To further build on the strengths of the Local Area, improving and 

maintaining public open spaces and natural conservation areas is a 

significant opportunity, and there was clear consensus on moving in 

this direction amongst forum participants. Increasing tree planting 

(particularly of native vegetation) and reducing lawned areas were 

similarly seen as key opportunities to enhance the area’s 

environmental sustainability. There was also support for the 

retention of existing bushland areas (i.e. at the ABC Tower site and 

in parts of the Carine TAFE site). 

Natural areas should be enhanced and protected 

6. Facilitate Walking, Cycling and Public Transport Use 

Consistent with the need to improve opportunities for sustainable 

modes of transport within the Carine-Hamersley Local Area, key 

opportunities identified at the community forums include providing 

more dual use paths, increasing the provision of parking at the 

Warwick Interchange (whether or not this is sustainable) and 

providing a bus service for the Local Area (possibly community run). 

7. Create a Heart of the Local Area 

45% of all survey respondents identified Carine Regional Open 

Space as the community ‘heart’ or focal point of the Carine 

Hamersley Local Area. An additional 10% said that although there 

was not currently a community heart, one could be developed at a 

particular location, with Carine Regional Open Space top of the list 

of suggested locations. The strengthening or creation of a heart for 

the Local Area would not just help to foster the area’s unique sense 

of place, but would also realise other community objectives that 

emerged from the planning process. 



Community Priorities 

To implement the Carine-Hamersley Local Area Plan and 

consistently work towards realising the vision for the future, it is 

essential to identify the most important actions and ideas from the 

community, and the issues that need to be addressed first. It is also 

necessary to identify what can realistically be achieved in a short 

time and what actions require longer term investigation or 

implementation. It must also be recognised that all ideas cannot be 

achieved during the lifespan of the current plan due to time and 

resourcing constraints. Instead, efficient planning requires selecting 

the proposals that have the most support, are most needed in the 

local economy, community or environment, or will have the most 

significant impact or benefit. To assist this planning, the community 

engagement process has been used to identify community priorities 

- issues or actions that are important to the largest number of 

individuals, sectors of the community, and the collective community. 

Community Survey 

The community survey asked participants to consider how much 

they would like to see the area change over the coming 20 years. 

69% of participants wanted to see moderate change to the Local 

Area over the coming 20 years. When asked how they would like to 

see improvements funded, 47% supported redirecting funds from 

services or projects that they felt were less important to the Local 

Area, and 42% were also supportive of waiting until proposals could 

be budgeted for. 

The surveys also identified other community priorities for future 

development. Importantly in terms of priorities, respondents 

identified the places in the Local Area most in need of improvement. 

In line with priorities expressed in community forums, the movement 

network was the top priority, with respondents identifying the 

improvement of “roads, verges, medians, footpaths” as being of 

primary importance. Priorities 2 and 3, being “Carine Regional 

Open Space” and “local parks” reflect the second major priority 

identified at workshops, relating to the quality and care of natural 

and conservation areas. Other major priorities identified in the 

surveys (rather than forums) were improvement of the Warwick 

Grove/Centro Warwick site (which is outside of the City of Stirling) 

and the former TAFE site. 

What places in the Local Area are most in need of 

improvement? 

1. Roads, verges, medians, footpaths 

2. Carine Regional Open Space 

3. Local parks 

4. Warwick Grove/Centro Warwick 

5. Former TAFE site 

Community surveys also asked respondents to identify one thing 

missing in the area that they would most like to see. Although not 

mentioned as a top priority in workshops, cafes and restaurants 

were most commonly requested, followed by a swimming pool, bus 

service and quality bus shelters, speciality/convenience shops, and 

well maintained and safe roads and footpaths. 

What is the one thing missing in the area that you would 

most like to see? 

1. Cafes or restaurants 

2. Swimming pool 

3. Bus service and quality bus shelters 

4. Specialty shops, convenience retail i.e. local deli 

5. Well maintained and safe roads and footpaths 



Community Forums 

The two community forums for the Carine-Hamersley Local Area were also designed to identify community priorities. Participants considered 

and discussed a range of issues and individual ideas throughout each forum and at the conclusion of the session were asked to list their three 

most important priorities for the future of the Local Area. Participants then discussed with their table groups what was most important to them 

and, where possible, chose three ‘table priorities’. The graph below illustrates the top priorities for community forum participants, shown for both 

the highest proportion of individuals and the highest proportion of tables. These can be considered ‘shared community priorities’. Further 

examination of these issues and their relative importance to the community is discussed overleaf. 

Top 10 Community Forum Priorities 

Table 

Individual 

Priority 

Retirement accommodation 

Improved sense of community 

Support slight increase in density in some areas 

Upgrade cycle and pedestrian walkways 

Community shuttle bus 

Retain the character of the area 

Retain current density 

Protect/More vegetation/green belt/more public open space 

Maintain safety 

Good access to public transport 

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 

Tables/Individuals 



Analysis of all community input has identified a list of issues that are 

the most important to the most people. Given that the consultation 

findings can be considered an accurate representation of the wider 

community’s opinion, the following list can be considered the top 

community priorities for the future of the Carine-Hamersley Local 

Area. 

1. Connectivity and Sustainable Transport 

Improvements to transport, including public transport and 

pedestrian and cycle paths, is the highest priority for the Carine- 

Hamersley community. Improvements to traffic flow and parking, 

especially at the train station car park, as well as introduction of a 

CAT-type bus, are also important to community members. The 

community is keen to reduce its reliance on cars, and would value 

improved pedestrian and cycle ways as well as public transport 

links to community amenities. 

2. A Safe Community 

While the Carine-Hamersley Local Area is generally considered to 

be safe, this characteristic is extremely important to local residents, 

and certain parts of the Local Area are felt to be less safe than the 

rest. The priority is to maintain current safety levels and then to 

even further improve the safety and security of the area over time. 

This will require the effort of the local community as well as the 

Council, and efforts to get to know the people living in the area, and 

to be aware of what normally goes on in the neighbourhood, are 

crucial. A greater mix of uses that promote more people being 

around at different times of day should also increase safety levels 

as the streets become less empty at night. 

3. Natural & Conservation Areas 

Being an environmentally sustainable, green area is very important 

to the Carine-Hamersley community. With Carine Regional Open 

Space being the (potential) heart of the area, and several other 

parks being greatly valued, the natural environment is a central part 

of the area’s identity, and needs to be protected. With an 

awareness of the constraints created by our increasingly drying 

climate, the introduction of native and waterwise plantings to 

replace lawn in areas of passive recreation has been suggested. 

The development and retention of natural and conservation areas, 

and the rejuvenation of remnant bushland, is also highly important. 

4. Retention of the Character of the Area 

The fourth community priority is to retain the overall built character 

of the area, being low density residential development zoned at 

Residential R20. The current character provides opportunities for a 

variety of other community priorities to be achieved, such as being 

a family-friendly area (with appropriately sized dwellings) and a 

green area (with sufficient space for front gardens). 

5. Pockets of Increased Density 

While there is a desire to retain the overall built form character of 

the area, this priority is balanced by recognition of the need to 

provide a wider range of housing opportunities to enable more 

people to live in the Local Area at suitable locations such as near 

the train station, shopping centres, and at the Carine TAFE site. 

This is particularly important for providing increased retirement 

housing, and more affordable housing for younger people wishing 

to live in the area. 

6. A Sense of Community 

The desire for a stronger sense of community bodes very well for 

the future of the Local Area, as community members wish for better 

connections and networks within and between different sectors of 

the community. Shared spaces and activities that enable all sectors 

to be involved in the community are high priorities. 



Vision for the Future of the Local Area 

Developing a commonly embraced community vision for each Local 

Area in the City of Stirling is a principal aim of the Local Area 

Planning program. The vision captures key community values and 

priorities, what makes the locality special, and what the area will 

look and feel like in the future. The community vision is established 

to guide future planning and decision making for the Local Area 

over the lifespan of the Local Area Plan and to set out an agreed 

path for the City of Stirling and the local community to work 

towards. 

‘Community visioning’ was a major element of the community 

planning forums for the Carine-Hamersley Local Area. Participants 

considered their personal vision of what the area would be like in 20 

years time and also discussed their views with the others on their 

table to identify some agreed elements. A number of themes can be 

identified from analysis of this input, and when considered against 

other elements of the community forums and findings of the 

community survey, the following community vision has been 

established: 

Carine-Hamersley Community Vision 

In the year 2020 the Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a place for 

everyone. While the peaceful, safe residential character of the place 

remains, a wider range of housing types means families, young 

people and seniors can all find opportunities to live well and make 

friends. Meeting places and activities have allowed a strong sense of 

community to develop. Sustainable transport options enable people 

to travel easily around the area and access places for relaxing and 

socialising both during the day and in the evening. Carine-Hamersley 

has become distinguished by the quality of its natural environment, 

as native plantings enable the place to flourish within its natural 

capacity, and green, leafy streets lead the way to high quality open 

space that provides a heart for the Local Area. 



Carine-Hamersley Community 

Community Profile 

The total population of the Carine Hamersley Local Area at the time 

of the 2006 census was 11,243, decreasing from 11,936 in 2001. 

The marginal population loss can be largely attributed to few new 

developments in the area over recent years and a general reduction 

in household sizes in the community. 

Age Profile 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is characterised by large 

proportions of those aged 5–17 and 50–59, which is representative 

of the many families in the area. Conversely, there are low 

proportions of young adults (25-34 years old) and elderly residents. 

However, Hamersley does have a marginally older population with 

more people aged in their 60s. Meanwhile, there is a greater 

Percentage of 

Population 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Age Structure Carine and Hamersley, 2006 

0 to 4 5 to 

11 

Carine Hamersley City of Stirling 

12 to 

17 

18 to 

24 

25 to 

34 

35 to 

49 

Age Group 

50 to 

59 

60 to 

69 

70 to 

84 

85 

and 

over 

proportion of 5 – 17 year olds in Carine. Over the 2001 to 2006 

period, there was significant growth however in the 60-69 year old 

age bracket in both Carine and Hamersley and reductions in those 

age groups constituting typical family households – these being the 

12-17 year olds and 35-49 year olds in Carine. 

Family Composition 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area can be considered family 

orientated, with a comparatively high 79% of all households being 

Percentage of 

Population 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Family Types Carine and Hamersley, 2005 


Couples 

with 

child(ren) 

Couples 

with 

child(ren) 

Total 

couples 

with 

One 

parent 

families 

One 

parent 

families 

Total one 

parent 

families 

Couples 

without 

child(ren) 

Family Type 

Other 

families 



family households, compared to 59% of all households over the 

City. Of these families, higher proportions in Carine consist of 

couples with children, whereas higher proportions in Hamersley 

2006 Census CARINE- 

HAMERSLEY 

LOCAL AREA 

CITY OF 

STIRLING 

PERTH 

REGION 

Population 11,243 176,867 1.44 million 

Population -1% 0.9% 1.7% 

growth rate 

(p/a) 

Aged 60 or 16.5% 19.9% 16.4% 

over 

Aged 17 or 23.2% 20.5% 24.1% 

under 

Born overseas 29% 32% 31% 

Speaks 2 nd 24% 47% 44% 

language at 

home 

Average 2.5 people 2.4 people 2.5 people 

dwelling 

occupancy 

Nuclear family 50% 40% 30% 

households 

Lone person 17% 31% 24% 

households 

Tertiary 

qualified 

26.5% 28.1% 24.4% 

Key characteristics of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area’s population 

consist of couples without children, although the proportion of 

families with children in both areas is greater than across the City in 

general. Yet the gap between families with without children in the 

narrowed over the last census period. This is consistent with 

citywide trends. 

Ethnicity/Cultural Backgrounds 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area has a slightly lower proportion of 

residents that were born overseas when compared to the City more 

generally (29% in the Local Area as opposed to 32% City-wide), 

and a relatively large proportion of residents born in the United 

Kingdom (10%). Unsurprisingly, a relatively small proportion of the 

population also speaks a language other than English at home. This 

is unusual for the City of Stirling, which generally has a diverse 

cultural make-up, with residents from many different parts of the 

world. The Carine-Hamersley area also has a comparatively low 

number of Indigenous residents (0.5% of the population in 

comparison to the City of Stirling’s 1.2% Indigenous 

representation). 

The proportion of Carine-Hamersley residents who follow a religion 

is slightly lower than across other parts of the City, although of all 

religious affiliations, most residents are Anglican (22.9%), which is 

higher than across the City at large (16.6%), whilst lower 

proportions are Catholic or belong to non-Christian denominations. 



Community Amenities 

Shopping Centres 

Local centre Marmion Ave 

Carine Glades (just outside 

northern boundary) 

Centro Warwick (just outside 

northern boundary) 

Major Parks & Reserves 

Carine Regional Open Space 

Arbuckle Reserve 

Beach Reserve 

Rannoch Tay Reserve 

Eglington Aintree Reserve 

Schools 

Australian School for 

International Education 

Carine Primary School 

Carine Senior High School 

Davallia Kindergarten 

East Hamersley Primary School 

Glendale Primary School 

West Coast College of TAFE 

Community Facilities/Clubs 

Hamersley Recreation Centre 



Community Issues & Opportunities 

Communal Areas 

When creating a community vision for the Local Area, the highest 

priority in terms of community was an increase in communal areas. 

For people who want to get out of their homes in their free time to 

relax and socialise, options are currently somewhat limited within 

the Local Area, and residents need to travel further to mix with 

others. This does little for building relationships and friendships 

within the local community. 

Perhaps because of homes and reserves being the major land uses 

of the area, there is a perceived need for venues such as cafes and 

restaurants to socialise in the evening as well as the day, and all 

year round. Carine Regional Open Space is a clear favourite for 

recreation and some socialising, but being outdoors and largely 

recreationally focused (whether to play sport or relax and enjoy the 

natural environment), it is not currently always a place for meeting 

in all weather, nor at night. When asked to identify the main thing 

that needed to be improved in the area, “evening and entertainment 

activities” was the most common response from community 

members, and when asked what was missing in the area, “cafes or 

restaurants” was the most popular choice. Youth in particular 

described the need for more places to meet up with friends. 

Proposed development at the former TAFE site in Carine provides 

the opportunity to provide places to meet and socialise, as could a 

greater range of facilities at Carine Regional Open Space. 

Improved Sense of Community 

As a low-density residential area with few communal areas and 

most people passing through in cars, it is unsurprising that local 

community members might feel the lack of a sense of community. A 

sense of community is comprised of two types of social capital – the 

glue that holds communities together, which is the result of the 

interactions between people over time. One type of social capital is 

bonding social capital, which is the bond created between people 

who identify with others they perceive as similar to themselves. 

There are many opportunities for this within Carine-Hamersley, 

which is not a highly diverse population. The other type is bridging 

capital, which is between different types of people (of different ages, 

backgrounds, and so on), and this is particularly important as it 

helps to promote less conflict and a more vibrant, open-minded 

community. 

Many Carine-Hamersley residents clearly understand the 

ingredients for building social capital, mentioning communal areas 

and meeting places as priorities, a desire for more community 

activities, and the possibility of greater diversity in the area. The 

City can assist the community in developing itself through providing 

places and activities to meet both ‘similar’ and ‘different’ types of 

people without needing to go outside of the community so much of 

the time to do this. 

A Heart for the Local Area at Carine Regional Open Space 

Carine Regional Open Space is the emerging heart of the Local 

Area. 45% of survey respondents identified Carine Regional Open 

Space as the heart or community focal point of the area. 10% 

believed that although there was not currently a heart, one could be 

developed. The most commonly mentioned locations for this heart 

were Carine Regional Open Space and Hamersley Recreation 

Centre. 

Suggestions for Carine Regional Open Space include a café (for 

example something like the café at Jacob’s Park in Wembley, which 

overlooks the park) and a community hub (community centre), both 

of which would contribute to strengthening the place as the heart of 

the Local Area. Others include a playground, amphitheatre, 

interactive walkways or whispering walls, and more barbeques. 



While there is already a regional and a community-scale playground 

on the site, another playground is planned for Monyash Reserve in 

the northern section of Carine Regional Open Space. A small 

landcaped area suitable for performances is supported by the City, 

and is preferred to an amphitheatre as it enables a wider range of 

uses and performance types. Interactive walks and whispering walls 

may be considered as part of the Carine Regional Open Space 

Masterplan Review. An additonal barbeque and seating area is also 

earmarked as part of the current Masterplan for the site. 

groups, there is also recognition of the need for better connections 

between groups, and many residents recognised the importance of 

a diverse population in doing this. Providing more retirement and 

affordable housing will facilitate a more diverse population. More (or 

more promotion of) community groups and activities for young and 

old will enable stronger networks within and between groups. 

Activities and Facilities 

Reflecting a desire to get out and about in the community, many 

Carine-Hamersley residents highly value the opportunity to 

participate in community activities in their neighbourhood. This 

provides excellent opportunities for building social capital and 

improving the area’s sense of community, as well as providing 

opportunities to improve health through physical activities at 

facilities such as gyms, sports and aquatic centres, and to enjoy the 

satisfaction of contributing through voluntary work. 

Carine Regional Open Space can be the “heart” of the Local Area 

A Place for Everyone 

The Carine-Hamersley community is comprised largely of families, 

but is also characterised by an ageing population and a significant 

proportion of young people. Networks and activities for both of 

these groups are clear priorities for the local community. As well as 

providing for strong relationships and support within these two 

A Safe Community 

Maintaining safety in the Local Area is one of the community’s 

highest priorities. Recent statistics indicate that the area has 

relatively low crime rates compared to surrounding areas, and 

survey responses showed that most people are ‘reasonably 

satisfied’ with safety and security, with a quarter of people ‘very 

satisfied’ with the current situation. Nevertheless, beyond a strong 

call to maintain this current state, a number of safety concerns 

exist. The most common concerns were ‘graffiti’ (44% of survey 

respondents) and ‘anti-social behaviour’ (38%). Between 15%-30% 

of respondents identified ‘burglary and theft’ , ‘unsafe roads or 

paths’, and lacking safety at night as problems. Concerns over 

burglary and safety at night were greatest in Hamersley, whilst 

concerns with anti-social behaviour were greatest in the western 

parts of Carine. 



The community plays an important role in local safety and security 

and must continue to report suspicious activities, crimes and 

problems to the City’s security service or police. The City must also 

promote the services it offers to residents and businesses and 

ensure its security patrols have a visible presence in the area. 

Ensuring the Local Area is a safe place to live into the future also 

includes designing parks and public places to be safe, inviting and 

well lit, and managing traffic and transport so that streets are safe 

for all users and people feel comfortable to walk and cycle in the 

area. 

Number crimes 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Carine 

Aveage monthly reported crimes 2007 

Hamersley 

Karrinyup 

Balga 

Warwick 

Assault 

Burgulary 

Car Theft 

Suburb 



Carine-Hamersley Community Outcomes to Achieve 

Desired Outcome for the Carine-Hamersley Local 

Area 

Outcome 1 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is characterised by its 

strong sense of community, where families and individuals, 

young and old, can be involved in a range of community 

activities, and a vital part of the life of the place. 

Outcome 2 

Carine Regional Open space is the heart of the Local Area, 

where people can meet and socialise, recreate, relax, enjoy 

the natural environment, and feel connected to their place. 

Outcome 3 

Social meeting places and communal areas create a vibrant 

and active public realm where people can enjoy the company 

of others within their own Local Area. 

Outcome 4 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is a safe place, where 

people feel at home and secure in both private and public 

spaces. 

Examples of current or potential actions to achieve this outcome 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Promote recreational and cultural activities organised by the City of 

Stirling within and close to the area 

Provide information on local community groups on the City’s Local Area 

Planning website 

Attempt to locate community activities in places that area easily 

accessible on foot, by bicycle and by public transport to ensure activities 

are available to most sectors of the community 

Investigate opportunity for a café at Carine Regional Open Space 

Encourage more people to socialise at the reserve by providing a smallscale 

BBQ/parkland area and a well distributed network of seats 

Install a boardwalk across the southern end of Big Carine Swamp to 

enable people to further enjoy the wetlands 

Progressively improve the condition of needed shelter and park furniture 

Add a playground to Carine Regional Open Space 

Continue to provide communal barbecue and seating/table areas in 

community public open space to provide opportunities for people to meet 

and socialise in the public domain 

Ensure adequate shade from trees to enable people to comfortably enjoy 

the public realm 

Develop Carine Regional Open Space as the community heart of the 

area (see Outcome 2 above) 

Support opportunities for cafes/restaurants to open in the area to provide 

social meeting places for evening as well as daytime use 

Ensure passive surveillance of communal spaces through visibility from 

surrounding areas 

Promote City of Stirling community safety initiatives 

Encourage a sufficient number of users to prevent individuals being 

almost alone in public places. 



Carine-Hamersley Natural Environment 

Natural Environment Profile 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area’s most striking environmental 

feature is the Carine Swamps - Big Carine Swamp and Little Carine 

Swamp - in the suburb of Carine. Big Carine Swamp and Little 

Carine Swamp are located in a large area of Regional Open Space, 

which was used for market gardening prior to the suburban 

development of Carine. The swamps are now preserved as natural 

wetlands, surrounded by passive and active recreational space. Big 

Carine Swamp is part of the City of Stirling’s Bushlinks Walk Trail 

(north-western zone). Bushlinks is an urban walking route linking 

major bushlands within the City of Stirling. Guides are available 

from the City. 

from reserve to reserve, as does the environmental and social value 

of each space. Major parks and reserves in the Carine-Hamersley 

Local Area include Rannoch Tay Earn Reserve, Aintree Eglington 

Reserve and Carine Regional Open Space. 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is home to a priority flora species 

Jacksonia sericea, commonly known as Waldjumi, which is a 

species of low-spreading shrub or small tree that occurs in the 

South West of Western Australia. 

Bird species recorded in the area include the Great Crested Grebe 

Podiceps cristatus, the White Ibis Threskiornis molucca, and the 

Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera. 

Jacksonia sericea, a priority flora species 

There are approximately 50 parks and reserves dispersed across 

the City of Stirling, including large active recreation spaces such as 

sports fields, natural habitat areas, community social spaces and 

smaller parks popular for children’s play, dog walking and other 

passive recreation. The size, use and quality of these spaces vary 

Little Wattlebird (source White Ibis (source http:// 

http://www.birddeter.com. Photohome.com/photos/ 

au/birds.html) animal-pictures/birds/whiteibis-1.html) 



Natural Environment Issues & Opportunities 

Natural and Conservation Areas 

Carine-Hamersley community members clearly place great value on 

the natural environment. Carine Regional Open Space was 

overwhelmingly identified as the community’s favourite place. When 

asked what their vision for the natural environment in their area 

was, the strongest call was for more vegetation, establishment of 

green belts that protect flora and fauna biodiversity, more public 

open space, and more trees - although in surveys about 90% of 

residents said that the provision of parks and conservation areas 

was ‘about right’. 

desire to develop ecologically sensitive reserves that are water-wise 

and have native plantings. Parks within the area may become a 

showcase for ecologically sensitive public open space. 

Protected & Rejuvenated Bushland 

Related to the importance of natural and conservation areas as a 

central part of the area’s identity, rejuvenation of bush land was a 

clear community priority for the Local Area, as was replacing lawn 

with native trees and shrubs in areas of passive recreation. 

Opportunities for people to connect with the biodiversity of the 

natural environment may help further strengthen awareness of the 

importance of bushland areas, and opportunities to pass through 

bushland (through walkways) and stop and enjoy such areas would 

enable the natural environment to become an even stronger 

element of the Local Area’s sense of place. 

Aintree Eglington Bushland Conservation Area 

When asked to identify the most important element in protecting or 

developing the character of the Local Area, the most popular 

response from survey respondents was natural and conservation 

areas, which clearly connects the area’s identity and values with the 

natural environment. Community engagement revealed a strong 

Big Carine Swamp after the devastation of an arson attack 



Community Open Space 

Community parks and open space are highly valued by the Carine- 

Hamersley community. In the community survey 82% of 

respondents identified Carine Regional Open Space as one of their 

two favourite places in the area, citing the large open space; multifunctional 

nature of the area; natural environment and appearance 

as reasons for liking the area. Other local parks and reserves were 

also identified as favourite places in the area by 9% of the 

population, with Eglington Aintree Reserve and Rannoch Tay Earn 

Reserve identified as the most popular of the smaller parks. 

Community members have expressed a clear desire for public open 

space to serve as shared social space – providing opportunities to 

meet, relax, exercise and play together. Particularly at Carine 

Regional Open Space, as the community heart of the area, 

residents would like to see facilities such as footpaths, toilets, 

clubrooms, and an amphitheatre, as well as activities and 

community events. For sites other than Carine Regional Open 

Space, the need for new or improved playground facilities, 

improved landscaping and/or maintenance, facilities and lighting 

was commonly expressed. 

An excellent way of strengthening community spirit in the Local 

Area is for residents to ‘adopt a park’ to care for, and this idea 

received good support at the planning workshop. The City has 

recently started an Adopt a Park program, and residents are invited 

to become carers for the natural environment in their Local Area. 

Front Gardens and Verges 

69% of survey respondents indicated that front gardens and verges 

are most important in protecting or developing the character of the 

Local Area. As there is a strong desire to create a place that is 

ecologically sustainable – able to survive in our drying climate of 

water restrictions and to protect and enhance the biodiversity of 

local flora and fauna. Front gardens and verges featuring waterwise 

and native plantings could become a recognisable characteristic of 

the Local Area. The Great Gardens workshops the City provides 

free of charge each year would provide an excellent opportunity for 

residents to learn more about how to achieve successful and 

beautiful waterwise gardens. 

Water Quality and Conservation 

Carine-Hamersley community members want to be proactive about 

protecting water resources, and highlighted a number of priorities 

for saving water while maintaining the green character of the area. 

The replacement of lawned areas with native vegetation was 

suggested for areas of passive recreation, as was the more general 

approach of planting local indigenous trees and vegetation where 

new plantings occur. This would complement the related call for 

rejuvenation and protection of existing bushland. Filtering of 

stormwater runoff responds to the need for close attention of the 

quality of water entering the area’s wetlands, which in turn protects 

the Local Area’s biodiversity. Particularly regarding Carine Regional 

Open Space, attention to water levels and quality was a clear 

priority. 

The City is responding to the need for improved water quality and 

conservation measures, and through its membership in the 

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’ (ICLEI) 

Water Campaign is undertaking a full investigation into its water 

conservation and quality requirements. The City will be setting 

targets for improvements within both community and corporate 

sectors, and will be implementing an action plan to address many of 

the water issues facing the City as a whole. 



Carine-Hamersley Natural Environment Outcomes to Achieve 



Outcome 1 

Parks and open space are maintained and enhanced to 

contribute to the ecological sustainability of the area, with 

some irrigated lawn areas on passive reserves reinstated 

with bushland planting to conserve groundwater. 

Outcome 2 

Suitable parks become community social hubs – community 

parks – with amenities, landscaping and activities that 

encourage social events and community building. 

Outcome 3 

Verges and front gardens are well designed and maintained, 

creating attractive, leafy streetscapes. 

Outcome 4 

Bushland in the Local Area is protected and rejuvenated, 

with the area’s healthy natural environment becoming a vital 

element of its unique sense of place. 

Examples of current or potential actions to achieve outcome 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public open spaces are vegetated with waterwise and native plants 

Implement the City's groundwater conservation strategy and Water Smart 

Parks initiative 

Remediation projects for local wetlands 

Parks and reserves form ‘ecological links’ and ‘wildlife corridors’ with other 

areas of vegetation that protect local flora and fauna from isolation 

Continue investigating innovative irrigation approaches 

Provide opportunities for residents’ involvement in activities such as 

community gardening, barbecues and social events 

Develop a Carine-Hamersley Local Area Public Open Space Plan 

Promote activities and events at Carine Regional Open Space to build its 

identity as the heart of the area 

Identify opportunities for community involvement in public art 

Continue Implementation of the Carine Regional Open Space Masterplan 

Residents contribute to their community by taking part in the ‘Adopt a Park’ 

Encourage waterwise gardens by holding community education workshops 

such as Great Gardens 

Educate on the value and maintenance of street trees 

Plant waterwise street trees to facilitate ongoing greening of the area 

Identify opportunities for school children to become bushland carers 

Continue bushland regeneration programs 

Manage environmental threats such as weeds, erosion and pollution in an 

environmentally sensitive manner 

Provide adequate rubbish bins and doggie waste bins 

Designate conservation zones within reserves within Local Planning 

Scheme No.3 to further secure bushland protection 

Create walkways and interpretive signage through selected areas of 

bushland to enable people to observe wildlife. 



Carine-Hamersley Built Environment 

Housing & Built Environment Profile 

Housing Type 

In 2006, 4,416 dwellings were recorded in the Carine-Hamersley 

Local Area, including all occupied and unoccupied dwellings. The 

area is predominantly characterised by single dwellings on green 

title lots (85%-86% of all dwellings). Both suburbs in the Local Area 

have approximately 8% medium density development such as villa 

units and semi-detached dwellings. On the other hand, there is 

minimal high density development such as flats or apartments in the 

area, this constituting only 0.1% of Hamersley’s housing stock and 

none of Carine’s housing stock. Carine Gardens Caravan Park 

affords the Local Area 68 caravans/ cabins. 

Percentage 

100 

90 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Housing Types 2006 

Apartments Units/Stratas Single Houses 

Housing Type 

Stirling Carine Hamersley 

Household Structure 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is predominantly family 

orientated. 79% of all households are family households (with or 

without children) and only 17% of all households consist of one 

resident. In contrast, 59% of households across the City are family 

households, whilst 31% are single households. Carine has a slightly 

greater proportion of family households compared to Hamersley 

(83% and 74% of family households respectively), but these figures 

are both significantly higher than the City average. The most 

common household size in the area is two people (approximately 

36%), although Carine had a higher proportion of four-person (23%) 

than three-person households (18.5%). Over recent years, the 

proportion of lone person households has increased in each area, 

whilst the proportion of family households has decreased, and this 

trend is likely to continue as the local population ages. 

Housing Market 

The growth in the Western Australian economy and housing 

pressures have led to significant increases in median house prices 

across Carine and Hamersley over recent years, which is consistent 

with a trend across much of Perth. Housing prices in Hamersley 

have remained largely similar to the Perth median, whilst housing 

prices in Carine tend to now far outstrip the median price across the 

Perth Metropolitan Area. Whilst housing demand has increased, the 

established nature of the suburbs and minimal infill opportunities 

presented by current zoning has limited the development of new 

dwellings in the Local Area. 



The housing market in the Local Area is in some conflict with the 

housing needs of the population, with limited housing supply for 

older children of existing families to buy their own home or for 

seniors in the area to move into smaller or more affordable 

dwellings. Furthermore, there is little State housing (0.1% of 

housing), which also contributes to a lack of affordable local 

housing. Local Area Planning provides an opportunity to examine 

how housing provision in the future could provide more amply for 

changing community requirements and household structures, and 

can utilise some of the recommendations in the City’s Housing 

Strategy to achieve those ends. 

Cultural and Built Form Heritage 

The built form of the Carine–Hamersley Local Area is largely 

modern in character. While some early development did occur in 

the area and remnants of this early development exist, the majority 

of development occurred from the 1970s onwards. 

Much of the Local Area originally formed part of the Hamersley 

Estate, which was owned by the Hamersley Family, one of the first 

families to settle in Perth’s northern metropolitan areas. The lowlying 

parts of the Local Area were mostly used for market 

gardening, due to the fertile soils afforded around the area’s 

wetlands. The remaining land was left largely undeveloped. 

Carine vs. Perth Annual Median House Sale Price 

Hamersley vs. Perth Annual Median House Sale 

Price 

$000's 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Year 

Perth 

Carine 

$000's 

500 

450 

400 

350 

300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Year 

Perth 

Hamersley 

Various sites throughout the Carine-Hamersley Local Area have 

been identified by the City as culturally and historically significant 



and are recorded on its Heritage List or Municipal Inventory. Old 

Cottage, on Old Balcatta Road, otherwise known as Duffy Cottage 

or Bestry Cottage in Carine is registered as a Conservation 

Category One site on the City’s Municipal Inventory, which means 

that its conservation is essential. It is considered an important site 

as it represents one of the early attempts at settlement in the district 

and is a rare example of a nineteenth century structure in the area. 

The Old Lime Kiln on Reid Highway, which is part of Bestry’s Daviot 

Park near Tony’s for Flowers, is also a Category One site, listed as 

a rare example of an early circular kiln. Built in the 1850s, it has an 

identifiable link to the expansion of the commercial lime burning 

industry and thus the development of the State and links with the 

building and agricultural industries. 

Another link to the past is provided by Old Plank Road, which is 

located at the intersection of North Beach Road and Duffy Road 

and adjacent to Karrinyup Country Club, which abuts the Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area. This was one of the earliest roads in the 

district and similarly to Old Cottage, represents early attempts to 

develop the area. 

Bestry Cottage (c. 1880-1900) on Old Balcatta Road, also referred to as 

(The) Cottage, Old Balcatta Road, Daviot Part, Duffy Cottage is a fine 

example of early development in the area. 



Built Environment Issues & Opportunities 

Housing Diversity 

Housing diversity emerged as a central theme in dialogue with the 

Carine-Hamersley Local Area community. Many residents felt that 

there was not enough range of housing types and densities. Others 

expressed a need for a greater range of housing styles. Apart from 

a more general focus on range of types (single dwelling, 

townhouse, apartment, etc), styles (architectural styles) and 

densities, more specific examples of the need for increased housing 

choice were provided. 

As discussed below, the need for retirement, aged-care and 

affordable housing that enables a more diverse range of residents 

to enjoy the area was very strongly perceived. The need for greater 

housing choice across the City as a whole is addressed in the City’s 

draft Housing Strategy. Opportunities for providing an increased 

diversity of housing, including proposed actions from the Housing 

Strategy, are discussed in the following sections. 

Retention of Existing Built Form Character 

The existing built form characterised by single dwellings on lots 

typically zoned Residential R20 is appreciated by many Carine- 

Hamersley residents, and this land use combines well with the 

community’s priority of retaining and promoting vegetation and 

green cover in the area with room for verdant front and back 

gardens. It also relates well to the strong representation of families 

within the local community. 

However, while the existing low density residential nature of the 

area generally supports the overall community vision and priorities 

for the future, there is some conflict with the priorities of providing 

more retirement and affordable housing, some of which will require 

smaller dwellings. In this sense, whilst the overall character of the 

built form may be retained, increased development in suitable areas 

(such as near shops and transport routes and nodes) will be 

required. This need not significantly alter the overall character of 

the Local Area. 

Retirement Housing 

The Carine-Hamersley community has a good mix of age groups, 

but has a significant proportion of residents that are or will be 

seeking suitable retirement housing. Community members in 

community surveys, workshops and even youth surveys clearly 

expressed the need for more retirement housing, and recognised 

that this may be related to a slight increase in density in pockets of 

the Local Area to allow more small retirement dwellings. In fact, 

when asked about the amount of housing six different categories of 

housing type (including total housing supply), only “retirement villas” 

attracted a response of “not enough” in the community survey. 

A number of sites may be suitable for retirement housing, including 

the TAFE site, which could be developed as a mixed-use site 

offering residents a range of facilities within easy walking distance, 

or near shops and the train station and major bus routes, which 

provide retirees with access to necessary goods and services. 

While the current Residential Design Codes (R Codes) offer density 

bonuses of one third for development of retirement housing in 

groups of five or more dwellings (which provides many opportunities 

in the area, particularly where adjacent lots are owned), the draft 

Housing Strategy suggests reducing the number of dwellings 

required to attract such a bonus. This would provide many more 

opportunities for retirement housing across the area. A further 

incentive raised in the Housing Strategy is ‘split coding’, where a 

base coding is applied (e.g. low density Residential R20), but an 



increase in density is offered where certain criteria are met (e.g. 

that the dwelling will provide for retirement and/or affordable 

housing). 

Carine TAFE Site 

While the majority of community members felt that the area should 

remain low density, they also supported pockets of higher density 

around the train station and the shops. The TAFE site was thought 

to be a potential site for higher density, and was also thought to be 

a good site for a community hub and a retirement village for over 

55s accommodation. Workshop participants felt that new 

developments should retain the architectural feel of the area, but 

the need for diversity of housing forms was recognised. 

Affordable Housing 

Youth in particular were aware of the need for more affordable 

housing, which would enable more young people and young 

families to stay in or come to the area. More affordable housing 

requires an increase in development potential, which is most likely 

to relate to an increase in residential densities in suitable locations 

such as the area around the train station or shops, or along major 

public transport routes. 

provided for a better range of dwellings that offer retirees and young 

people in particular the opportunity to live in the area. They suggest 

an increase in potential residential densities in small pockets of the 

Local Area which suit a greater number of people because of the 

services and access they offer (suggesting 80% of the Local Area 

remain zoned R20). The most popular suggestion was an increase 

in densities around shops – with Centro Warwick (Warwick Grove) 

being the most suitable option – and the Warwick Train Station. 

From survey responses, further supported by input from the 

planning workshop, the area bounded by Erindale Road, Reid 

Highway, Beach Road and the Mitchell Freeway in Hamersley is 

favoured for increased development. The area’s close proximity to 

Warwick Train Station, as well Centro Warwick, with its shops and 

cinema, makes it well suited to an increased population. It is located 

next to several good public transport routes, as well as close to a 

range of recreational facilities including Hamersley Recreation 

Centre and Carine Regional Open Space. 

Amongst a range of proposals, the draft Housing Strategy suggests 

partnerships with community housing providers to increase 

provision of more affordable housing, where the City provides land 

and the provider constructs housing, with the City owning some of 

the housing stock. The area provides suitable sites for such an 

innovative approach. 

Pockets of Increased Development 

Many residents recognise the changing needs and economic 

climate in the Local Area, and believe that opportunities should be 

The area around Warwick train station is favoured for development. 



Built Environment Outcomes to Achieve 



Outcome 1 

The overall character of the built environment is maintained, 

with the area remaining predominantly a pleasant and 

peaceful residential area. 

Outcome 2 

Retirement housing is provided to enable older residents to 

remain a vital part of their local community. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retain the majority of the Local Area under a Residential R20 zoning 

Encourage residents to maintain attractive homes and gardens by 

promotion of workshops and information on house and waterwise garden 

care 

Avoid the construction of front fences that prevent passive surveillance to 

keep the area safe and friendly. 

Reduce number of grouped retirement dwellings required to attract a 

density bonus to stimulate retirement housing development 

Publicise available density bonuses for retirement dwelling development 

Introduce retirement housing at the redeveloped Carine TAFE site 

Promote and provide community amenities close to retirement housing to 

ensure retirees can feel connected to the wider community 

Outcome 3 

Opportunities are made available for increasing housing in a 

limited number of suitable locations to make the most of 

existing facilities and amenities such as shopping and public 

transportation. 

Outcome 4 

Greater diversity of houses including small dwellings and 

more affordable housing enables a range of people including 

young people and retirees in particular to live in the area. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rezoning of some R20 zoned residential areas to provide for additional 

housing and a greater range of housing styles and sizes (see map) 

Encourage housing in walking distance of Warwick Train Station and 

Centro Warwick/Warwick Grove and major public transport routes 

Ensure the pedestrian and bicycle network provides residents to walk/cycle 

from new homes to local amenities. 

Allow and promote a balanced mix of smaller dwellings including one and 

two bedroom dwellings 

Consider ‘split coding’ where density bonuses can be provided where 

required dwellings types (e.g. affordable or retirement) are proposed 

A greater range of residential densities (replacing a uniform R20 zoning) to 

support a greater variety of dwelling types 

Investigate measures to encourage a proportion of affordable housing 

development within all medium and large-scale developments. 



Potential Rezoning 

Locations: 

R25 for majority of ‘Area 

E’ bounded by Beach 

Road, Erindale Road, 

Reid Highway, and 

Mitchell Freeway. 

R60 along Beach Road 

between Agaton Street 

and Erindale Road. 

R80 opposite Warwick 

Train Station between 

Agaton Street and 

Mitchell Freeway, and 

Duffy Road and Mitchell 

Freeway. 



Carine-Hamersley Economic Environment 

Economic Profile 

Employment Profile 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area is predominantly residential and 

as such there are few employment opportunities within the bounds 

of the Local Area itself. Most local residents commute to outside 

areas for employment. 71.4% of residents are within the labour 

force, which is greater than the City of Stirling average of 61%. 

However, this proportion had decreased between 2001 and 2006 

and is likely to represent ageing in the community. The 

unemployment rate of 3% is lower than the current historically low 

national figure of 4% (March, 2008). Residents’ main employment 

fields include retail trade, health and community services and 

education and training. Major deviations from the typical distribution 

of employment across industries city-wide include a lower 

proportion of those working in manufacturing and greater proportion 

in education and training. 

from home. The remaining 55% of the population work in various 

locations, largely within the Perth Metropolitan Area. 

Income Profile 

Median incomes and income ranges of residents are notably higher 

in the Carine-Hamersley Local Area than City of Stirling or Perth 

averages. There are greater proportions of households in Carine 

with weekly incomes in excess of $1700 compared to Hamersley 

and the City of Stirling more generally, yet there is still a high 

proportion of families in Hamersley earning between $1000 and 

$1700, which is greater than the City’s average. The greater 

All incomes not stated 

Weekly household income 

Residents work 

in a variety of 

locations. 

Approximately 

37% work in the 

Perth CBD or 

surrounding 

areas. Only 8% 

work within the 

Local Area. This 

is probably 

people working 

Weekly household income 

$3000 or more 

$2000 to $2499 

$1400 to $1699 

$1000 to $1199 

$650 to $799 

$350 to $499 

$150 to $249 

Negative / Nil income 

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 

Percentage of area population 




proportion of large households, particularly in Carine, is likely to 

Local Economic Activity 

As mentioned, the Carine-Hamersley Local Area is predominantly 

residential, although it is surrounded by a variety of commercial 

centres. Commercial centres vary in size from local and 

neighbourhood centres to district centres. Each level of centre 

serves a different function in providing for daily, weekly and 

specialist goods and different forms of shopping and service such 

as convenience retail and specialty retail. Surrounding centres 

include Warwick Regional Centre, which provides retail, commercial 

and civic functions; and Carine Glades in Duncraig and Fieldgate 

Square in Balga, both of which are local centres. The City’s Draft 

Local Commercial Strategy identifies Fieldgate Square on 

Wanneroo Road as also having potential for further development, 

as it is currently utilising only 680m2 of a potential 1000m2 retail 

floor space. There is only one small commercial centre in the 

Carine-Hamersley Local Area itself, a local centre on Marmion 

Avenue, which consists of a take-away store and deli. Consultation 

with the Carine-Hamersley local community has however identified 

that there is demand for more local shops in the area to provide for 

convenience shopping. 

contribute to these outcomes. 

In planning for the development of employment and commercial 

centres, the State Government’s Strategic Plan for the Perth and 

Peel region, Network City, identifies the need to develop centres 

which provide for diverse needs in the community and which form 

focal points with intense and mixed use development (Activity 

Centres). Such centres should be located along Activity Corridors, 

which are major roads with good public transportation, to maintain 

accessibility to services and employment. Whilst there are no such 

centres in the Local Area itself, the City, adjacent local authorities 

and the local community still have opportunities to work and 

contribute towards the enhancement of surrounding centres. 

Wanneroo Road has also been identified as a possible Activity 

Corridor under the Network City plan, which would mean the 

possible future provision of more efficient public transport and 

development of activity generators along this corridor. 

The Balcatta Industrial Area is a major employment generator and 

service provider in the vicinity of the Local Area, located just outside 

its southern boundary. It consists of a range of land uses, largely 

commercial and industrial in nature, and over 730 businesses 

provide some 6,800 jobs throughout the area. Service industries 

and offices/businesses occupy most of the industrial area, and an 

increasing number of retail showrooms are being established, 

particularly along major thoroughfares such as Erindale Road and 

Balcatta Road. Presently, most of the area is zoned Special Garden 

Industrial, with some areas zoned Special Use, which attempt to 

accommodate for the shift in the area’s activity profile. The area is 

highly accessible for freight vehicles, being located at the junction of 

Reid Highway and Mitchell Freeway. 

Small local centre on Marmion Avenue 



Despite the Carine-Hamersley Local Area not being established as 

a major commercial or employment centre, there may still be 

opportunities to establish small businesses within the area to 

provide for local needs, without significantly changing the nature of 

the locality. The Local Area Planning engagement process 

identified moderate levels of support for Council making it easier for 

home businesses to operate in the Local Area, with 42% of 

respondents more supportive of this, 28% less supportive or not 

supportive, and 38% neutral on the topic. 

Education Profile 

In 2006, over 30% of the population of the Carine-Hamersley Local 

Area had completed tertiary education courses (vocational, diploma 

bachelor level). This is higher than average for the City of Stirling. 

Major education institutions in the Carine-Hamersley Local Area 

include Carine High School, which educates 1,500 students from 

Years 8 to 12 and also serves as the venue for various evening 

vocational courses, West Coast College of TAFE, and a number of 

primary schools. 

Level of education 

Level of education 2006 

Not Stated 

No qualifications 

Vocational 

Advanced Diploma or Diploma 

Bachelor or Higher degree 

0 10 20 30 40 50 

Percentage of population 

Carine % Hamersley % City of Stirling % 



Economic Issues & Opportunities 

The Carine-Hamersley Local Area consists of predominantly 

residential land uses. As such, the potential for new commercial 

developments within the Local Area itself is somewhat limited. In 

addition, community engagement did not generally indicate a great 

desire for significant increases in commercial development, apart 

from local/convenience-based shops, cafes, restaurants and 

entertainment facilities. There are some opportunities to foster local 

economic development, which include:- 

The development of commercial centres at the periphery of the 

Carine-Hamersley Local Area; 

The development of Activity Corridors along Beach and 

Wanneroo Roads; 

Future development within the adjoining Balcatta Industrial 

Area; 

The development of a new small local centre at the former 

 

Carine TAFE site on Marmion Avenue; 

Investigation of the opportunity to establish a café at the Carine 

TAFE site; 

The potential for home businesses/home offices in the Local 

Area; and 

The development of local economic development 

initiatives/programs. 

Commercial Development / Activity Corridor Development 

The State Government’s Network City Strategy, which intends to 

guide the future development of the Perth and Peel Region, 

advocates the development of Activity Centres, which consist of a 

mix of land uses such as dining, entertainment, commercial 

facilities, and office activity. These centres should then be 

connected by public transport Activity Corridors to provide access 

for more people and to promote sustainable travel behaviour. 

Warwick Grove and Stirling Central (Westminster) are identified as 

potential Activity Centres in Network City and are located near the 

Carine-Hamersley Local Area. Given their proximity to the Local 

Area, the development of these centres impacts strongly on the 

area. Network City also outlines the potential development of an 

activity corridor to link these centres along Wanneroo Road and 

Beach Road. Other local centres around the periphery of the 

Carine-Hamersley Local Area include Carine Glades and Fieldgate 

Square, the former also located along Wanneroo Road – a potential 

Activity Corridor. 

The City has opportunities to work with local centre owners and 

managers to redevelop centres such as Stirling Central and 

Fieldgate Square in order to capitalise on their position along 

Activity Corridors. The City’s Local Centres Program is an effective 

vehicle to develop such centres and ensure that they function 

effectively. Meanwhile, the City could liaise with the City of 

Joondalup regarding the future development of Warwick Grove and 

Carine Glades. Given the State Government focus on Activity 

Centres and Activity Corridors, there are likely to be many future 

opportunities to seek State support to regenerate and build on 

these centres as well. Developing these centres provides 

opportunities to provide more employment opportunities to those in 

Area ‘F’ (between Erindale and Wanneroo Road), where 

dissatisfaction with local employment opportunities was the 

greatest. 

It is also of note that a key priority for residents in the Carine – 

Hamersley Local Area was the establishment of more “evening and 

entertainment activities” (see Survey Report). Moreover, when 

asked to identify one thing missing in the area they would most like 

to see, the most common response was “Cafes or restaurants”. 

There was also support for the development of a multi-functional 



community hub. The establishment of multi-functional activity 

centres could play a significant role in realising these priorities. 

Carine TAFE Site 

The Carine TAFE Site was identified as an ideal location for the 

development of additional local commercial facilities in the Local 

Industrial Areas 

The Balcatta Industrial Area is located to the south of the Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area and is a major local employment generator. 

The City is preparing an Industrial Areas in Transition Strategy, 

which aims to maintain the area’s industrial functions and plan for 

the increasing presence of commercial activity in such areas. The 

preparation of this plan is poised to provide employment 

opportunities that respond to local employment needs and increase 

the extent to which the area’s commercial and industrial needs are 

provided for. 

Local Economic Initiatives/Programs 

In order to maximise the extent to which local economic and 

employment needs are met, it is not only important for Activity 

Centres to develop. Effort is also required to continually identify 

local economic and business opportunities, match local skill sets to 

local employment bases, and capture innovation and enterprise in 

the community. 

Key opportunities in these areas include:- 

Carine TAFE site 

Area. LandCorp is developing a Structure Plan for the site, to guide 

development over coming years. The City is an important player in 

seeing that the development on this site addresses broader visions 

for the Carine-Hamersley Local Area, such as the provision of 

commercial amenities. 

1. Supporting local innovative organisations such as ReMida; 

2. Utilising support, advice and training for small businesses 

establishing in the area from the Small Business Centre 

Stirling (located at 45 Delawney Street, Balcatta, WA); 

3. Working to foster links between local education providers 

and local businesses; and 

4. Supporting the establishment of home businesses (Survey 

results showed moderate levels of support for making it 

easier for home businesses to operate). 



Economic Outcomes to Achieve 

Desired Outcomes for the Carine-Hamersley Local 


Outcome 1 

Local businesses in the area thrive as restaurants and cafes 

provide somewhere to socialise and relax. 

Outcome 2 

The Carine TAFE site is redeveloped to provide a greater 

range of facilities and amenities within the area. 

Outcome 3 

Selecting sites close to commercial centres around the Local 

Area for increased residential development helps retain 

businesses by providing them with a greater customer base. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investigate the opportunity to introduce a café/kiosk at Carine Regional 

Open Space 

Provide commercial facilities at redeveloped Carine TAFE site to offer 

opportunity for a café on site 

Cafes and restaurants are situated in easily accessible locations 

Locate cafes/restaurants close to public transport routes and pedestrian 

and cycle paths to maximise their potential customer base 

Residential development on Carine TAFE site to provide a strong customer 

base for commercial development on the site 

Provide a range of community amenities on site such as commercial 

outlets, medical services and child care 

Diversity of housing types including higher density apartment housing 

provides increased space for commercial outlets 

Provide good connectivity (pedestrian and cycle) with the surrounding 

residential area to enable local residents to also benefit from new amenities 

Increase residential development at the Carine TAFE site alongside 

commercial development 

Increase residential densities adjacent to Centro Warwick/ Warwick Grove 

Ensure high quality and well connected foot and cycle paths from 

surrounding residential areas to local centre 

Outcome 4 

Local skills are matched with local employment possibilities 

where possible. 

 

 

 

The City makes approval of home businesses relatively easy for applicants. 

Utilise support for local businesses establishing in the area from Small 

Business Centre Stirling, the provider of small business advice and training 

in the City 

The City supports innovative local businesses in the area by utilising them 

where possible. 



Carine-Hamersley Movement Network 

Transport Profile 

The movement network of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area 

constitutes its roads, footpaths, cycle routes, public transport and 

any other means of moving around, throughout, to and from the 


Travel Infrastructure 

Carine-Hamersley was developed in the 1970s and 1980s when 

urban planning was largely characterised by the development of 

cul-de-sacs and curvilinear streets, which fed off major arterial 

roads. In more recent times, difficulties associated with such street 

patterns such as poor pedestrian legibility and permeability (ability 

to clearly see where you are in the area, and to easily get through 

the area) have become increasingly evident. Poor permeability and 

legibility can discourage walking and cycling. Furthermore, the 

limited number of pedestrians can deter further pedestrian activity 

as walkers feel isolated, and in some cases pedestrian access 

ways provided to enhance permeability are closed due to resident 

safety concerns. While it is generally difficult to enhance pedestrian 

access in established areas such as the Local Area where the road 

network does not lend to high levels of connectivity, a number of 

strategies are available for improving the current situation. Green 

and shaded streetscapes can encourage pedestrians and cyclists to 

increase their walking and cycling throughout the area, providing a 

more attractive environment that provides shade and shelter. As the 

City’s current approach to developing the pedestrian network is 

frequently hampered by individuals refusing footpaths in their street 

(which then removes the opportunity of a footpath for the rest of the 

street), a path network plan for the City to address key shortfalls 

and in the existing pedestrian and cyclist network and integrate 

these with major destinations such as retail spaces and community 

facilities would be of great benefit. 

The northern suburbs rail line runs along the western boundary of 

the Local Area, with Warwick train station located just beyond the 

area’s northeast corner. This well patronised service provides mass 

transit to the Perth City area and to Joondalup. Residents in West 

Hamersley and East Carine are within 1km/15 minutes walk of the 

station. Yet many commuters rely on park ‘n’ ride facilities to access 

the train station and demand for parking spaces at such facilities is 

significantly outstripping supply. Improving the provision of bus 

services to and from the station may prove a more viable and 

sustainable means of enhancing access to the station from the 




Various bus services run along Wanneroo Road and Beach Road, 

yet their frequency and reliability can be poor, which can limit their 

patronage. The quality and location of bus shelters and stops can 

also increase the patronage of bus services. The Public Transport 

Authority (PTA) has responsibility for public transportation, but the 

City can collaborate with the PTA to guide service improvements 

and plays a major role in the provision of bus stops and shelters. 

Parking concerns were largely directed to the lack of parking at the 

Warwick Interchange, thus reflective of the general demand to 

improve access by sustainable transport modes in the area. 

Travel Behaviour and Demands 

The Carine-Hamersley community can currently be considered 

highly car reliant. While residents and workers in the area have 

many transport choices, car use is by far the preferred means of 

transport. Approximately 42% of households in the Local Area have 

two or more cars whilst only 8% do not have a car at all. Very high 

proportions of trips are made in a motor vehicle, especially for 

shopping and recreational activities. Yet while most people drive to 

workplaces or educational institutions, 42% of residents who work 

or study in the City or close to the City utilise a mix of modes 

including public transport to access these destinations. 

What are the most important aspects of transport in the Local Area? 

Parking and bus service provision were identified as key transport 

concerns in the Local Area. There was very little concern over 

conditions for driving and the provision of infrastructure for driving. 

Mode utilisation to various locations for various activities 



TravelSmart 

The City of Stirling runs a range of ‘TravelSmart’ programs to 

encourage smarter travel choice. Projects, events and information 

are provided to encourage people to walk, cycle and take public 

transport. There are opportunities for Carine-Hamersley residents to 

become more TravelSmart by way of school and work based 

projects and local area events. 

Integrated Transport Strategy 

The City’s Integrated Transport Strategy (subject to Council 

endorsement) was completed in draft form in 2008. The strategy is 

intended to provide a much-needed response to key sustainability 

issues such as climate change and oil vulnerability and associated 

locational disadvantage and social inequity. It draws on innovative 

methods for increasing the sustainability of transport behaviours 

through pedestrian and bicycle accessibility, public transport, road 

safety and networks, parking management, telecommuting, 

behaviour change and integration of approaches. It considers short 

term and long terms strategies, and the ways in which these can be 

effectively combined. 





Movement Network Issues & Opportunities 

Sustainable Transportation 

The Carine-Hamersley community has expressed its understanding 

of environmental pressures through its priorities for ecological 

protection, and this has also been represented through its support 

of sustainable transport modes. There is support for enhancements 

to public transport and the provision for non-motorised transport 

modes such as cycling and walking. Heavy reliance on singleoccupant 

car use – which makes up around 80%-90% of trips (this 

is also reflective of broader travel patterns) is unsustainable in the 

context of increasing oil prices and oil shortages, vehicle emission 

contribution to climate change (responsible for 25%-30% of national 

greenhouse gas emissions) and traffic congestion. 

Key transport issues in the Carine-Hamersley Local Area include: 

• Poor provision of bus services and connectivity (by bus, foot 

or car) to the Warwick Train Station – this particularly concerns 

residents of the area between North Beach Road and Reid 

Highway; 

• Lack of adequate number and quality of cycle and foot 

paths, and their connectivity with public transport networks, facilities 

and amenities – of particular concern in the area between Mitchell 

Freeway and Erindale Road, Hamersley; and 

• Traffic control and traffic movement issues (particularly 

along Reid Highway). 

Many possible solutions are discussed in this section, based on 

community priorities raised in the forums and surveys. 

Land use and Transport Integration 

In order to maximise the provision of existing transport services, it is 

beneficial to match higher activity generating land uses around 

major transport nodes or stops. There is scope to increase 

residential densities around the Warwick Station, particularly on the 

Hamersley side, where there was also support for increased 

residential density through the community engagement process. 

Pedestrian and Cyclist Friendly Neighbourhoods 

Walkable and cyclist friendly neighbourhoods are a great asset to 

Local Areas for numerous reasons. They encourage people to get 

to know their area more intimately, and to become familiar with the 

people who live there, which can be a great way of improving local 

safety. They also offer the health benefits of improved fitness, 

provide a wider choice of ways of getting around, and reduce caruse. 

The Carine-Hamersley community clearly recognises the 

importance of walkable neighbourhoods, and expressed the need 

for a high quality footpath network, which safely connects to the 

people to the places they need to access. 

Furthermore, Carine-Hamersley is generally a quiet, peaceful and 

safe area, and its community clearly wants this to be retained. 

Concerns with keeping traffic under control and the streets safe 

were reflected in the request for traffic calming devices to slow 

traffic. To further improve safety conditions, requests were also 

made for more lighting for pedestrians and cyclists and for ways of 

reducing pedestrian-cyclist conflicts. Safe crossings across busy 

roads such as Reid Highway are also a concern that traffic 

management approaches could address. 

There is an opportunity for the City to develop a plan for enhancing 

pedestrian and cyclist links over the City, particularly in relation to 

the current review of the City’s Bike Plan, and to ensure that the 



networks connect with facilities and amenities which are regularly 

sought after in communities, such as schools and shops. However, 

as discussed above, it should be noted that Carine and Hamersley 

consists largely of cul-de-sac and curvilinear road layouts, which 

reduce the extent to which people will choose to walk or cycle in the 

Local Area. Efforts to maintain pedestrian access ways (where 

viable) and to improve the streetscape by way of greenery could 

however enhance the tendency for people to walk. The latter idea is 

consistent with the community’s vision for the Local Area to embody 

a ‘green’ character. 

Public Transport 

Residents of the Carine-Hamersley Local Area expressed a strong 

desire for improvements to public transport services (particularly 

bus services). In community surveys, 30% of respondents identified 

this as their highest transportation priority (it was the second-most 

important priority at the forums). At the community planning forums, 

improvements focused on increased frequency of bus services as 

opposed to more bus routes, and the introduction of more localised 

services such as community based buses (with volunteer drivers) or 

a CAT bus. A key service deficiency lay in providing public transport 

to and from shopping and recreation facilities (indicated in 

community surveys and the particularly high use of motor vehicles 

to access such destinations). The priority of improved bus services 

also complements the priority of increased retirement 

accommodation, as clusters of older community members are likely 

to rely on public transportation to access goods and services. 

While an increased frequency of buses is outside the City’s of 

Stirling’s jurisdiction (this is managed by the Public Transport 

Authority), the City can work with the Public Transport Authority to 

influence the provision of bus services. Meanwhile, whilst a 

community bus may be the responsibility of the community, the City 

may provide assistance, determine the feasibility of doing so and 

work with local shopping centres and other agencies and 

institutions to provide or partner in the service. The City is also able 

to address the need for more bus shelters where funding permits. 

A key transport problem in the area is the difficulty many local 

residents find in accessing the Warwick Train Station. There is high 

dependence on motor vehicle transport to reach the station, and 

parking is inadequate. Parking around train stations is controlled by 

the State Government (Department for Planning & Infrastructure 

and the Public Transport Authority), and requests for increased 

parking should be made to these bodies, although the City can 

lobby the Public Transport Authority to provide additional parking 

facilities at stations. However, the Warwick Train Station is located 

within the City of Joondalup, and therefore parking management 

around the area is under their control. In terms of the City of 

Stirling’s contribution to resolving this issue, better footpath and 

cycle networks provide alternatives to vehicle access to the station 

and remove the need for parking, and alerting the Public Transport 

Authority to the need for better bus services can further reduce 

parking pressure. 

TravelSmart 

The City of Stirling runs a range of ‘TravelSmart’ programs to 

encourage smarter travel choices. Projects, events and information 

are provided to encourage people to walk, cycle, car pool and take 

public transport. Carine-Hamersley schools, residents and 

businesses have the opportunity to get involved in a number of 

TravelSmart projects, and the City can work with individuals and 

organisations to address transport issues. 



Transport Outcomes to Achieve 

Desired Outcome for the Carine-Hamersley 

Local Area 

Outcome 1: 

Good links by public and possibly community-run 

transport to key locations such as train stations and 

shops enable people to travel more sustainably. 

Outcome 2: 

Walkable neighbourhoods are supported by a safe, 

well connected, designed and maintained footpath 

network. 

Outcome 3: 

A safe and well connected bicycle network enables 

people to travel to a variety of locations including shops, 

parks, schools, work and the train station. 

Outcome 4: 

Roads, verges and medians are well designed and 

maintained, contributing to the high quality of the area’s 

movement network. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bus shelters are increasingly provided in the Local Area to protect people from 

the elements as they wait for bus services 

Well maintained pedestrian and cycle paths connect with public transport, 

leading to bus stops and the train station 

Investigate options for a local community bus run by community volunteers to 

access the train station and commercial centres 

Adequate protection from sun and rain is provided by street trees protecting 

pedestrian and cycle paths 

Preventative measures reduce pedestrian/cyclist conflict on shared paths 

Walking School Buses are organised, and are supported by local parents to 

enable school children to walk safely to school 

Passive surveillance through limitation of front walls to houses enables “eyes on 

the street” and a safer walking environment 

Provide crossings to enable pedestrians to safely cross major roads 

Promote City of Stirling community safety, security and ranger services 

Develop a pedestrian and cycle path network plan to ensure key linkages 

between existing sections of the current network and to major destinations 

City of Stirling Bike Plan is reviewed and implemented 

Safe pedestrian and cycle crossings are provided to major roads, particularly 

leading to the Warwick Train Station 

TravelSmart provides education on safe and enjoyable cycling within and to and 

from the area 

Traffic calming measures encourage safer roads for everyone Plantings on 

medians contribute to the green and environmentally sustainable character of the 

Local Area 

Education on the value and care of street trees enables greener and better 

protected streetscapes. 



Carine-Hamersley Local Area Key Opportunities 

Key Opportunities Map 

The following “Carine-Hamersley Key Opportunities Map” illustrates 

some of the major opportunities for the Local Area over the 

implementation phase of this document, the Carine-Hamersley 

Local Area Plan. The Local Area Plan will be implemented over the 

coming 10-15 year period, through actions devised to accomplish 

the “Outcomes to Achieve” listed throughout the plan. Throughout 

the plan many actions, activities, programs, ideas and events have 

been discussed. The City of Stirling, with the help of community 

members and other agencies, will seek to implement these 

initiatives by examining the opportunities, costs and support for 

different actions and how they can be integrated into all the other 

important work the City does for its residents and businesses 

across the City. 

The following plan shows the major opportunities to achieve the 

desired outcomes and community vision for the future of the Carine- 

Hamersley Local Area: 

 

Redeveloping the Carine TAFE site to provide a mix of 

amenities for different sectors of the local community can have 

numerous benefits including access to a variety of amenities 

within walking or cycling distance, opportunities for retirement 

housing, and places where a diverse mix of people can interact 

and strengthen the Local Area‘s sense of community. 

Increasing residential densities between Centro Warwick and 

the Warwick Train Station has strong community support, and 

will meet a variety of other objectives, including improving the 

sustainability of travel behaviour in the area (through access to 

the train station and proximity for walking or cycling to the shops 

and station), increased opportunity for more housing diversity 

including retirement housing and possibly affordable housing, 

and increased population around centres, transport nodes, and 

transport corridors. 

 

Strengthening the role of Carine Regional Open Space as the 

community heart of the area, as a central communal space with 

a range of activities and facilities that attract a wide range of 

people – young, old, and families – to enjoy the place for 

recreation, contemplation, exercise and entertainment both 

during the day and in the evening. The Open Space will 

strengthen the character of the Local Area as green and 

environmentally sustainable place as bushland retention and 

wetland conservation projects are complemented by the 

transformation of lawned areas in areas of passive recreation to 

waterwise native planting areas or “eco-zones”. 

Increasing provision of retirement housing will address the 

needs of the ageing population of the area, and enable older 

residents to continue to enjoy and contribute to the Local Area. 

Retirement housing at the redeveloped Carine TAFE site 

alongside the mix of uses proposed for the site will enable older 

residents to access a range of needs in close proximity, which 

supports the community’s priority of more sustainable travel 

behaviour. Increase residential densities in the precinct 

bordered by Beach Road, Erindale Road, Reid Highway and 

Mitchell Freeway, also provides opportunities for retirement 

housing close to public transportation (Warwick Train Station) 



and goods and services (Warwick Grove Regional Centre). 

Existing density bonuses for aged persons dwellings also 

provide opportunities for retirement housing. 

 

 

Creating an environmentally sustainable area through waterwise 

plantings, conservation areas, and protected wetlands. There 

are numerous bushland regeneration projects and opportunities 

in the area. “Eco-zones” where lawned areas are replaced with 

native plantings at suitable sites can be developed – and is 

occurring at Carine Regional Open Space – provide one such 

opportunity. The introduction of more waterwise and native 

private gardens and verges will contribute to the overall 

sustainability and biodiversity of the Local Area. 

Encouraging sustainable transport options through a high 

quality pedestrian and bicycle network, and good public 

transportation. Increased development around the Warwick 

Train Station makes this sustainable mode of transport more 

accessible to more people, and well designed pedestrian and 

cycle routes to key locations such as the station and shops 

provides the necessary infrastructure for people to spend less 

time in their cars and more time getting exercise, reducing 

greenhouse gas emissions, and being out and about in their 

community. 



Carine-Hamersley Key Opportunities Map 

CITY OF STIRLING CARINE-HAMERSLEY 79 

LOCAL AREA PLAN

Carine â Hamersley Local Area Plan Outcomes Table - City of Stirling

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