minutes - City of Stirling

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL
18 SEPTEMBER 2012
In 2005 in response to community concerns the City produced the original Scarborough
Beach Urban Design Master Plan to address various issues relating to urban design and
amenity in Scarborough. With regard to the Maureen Grierson Centre the original plan
recommended demolition of the building and the attached walkway connected to the existing
hotel. Under this plan the new Scarborough amphitheatre was built as an event venue,
attraction and comfortable shade area. Since its construction it has accommodated many
international, national, state and local events based around the beach itself.
In 2008 Council resolved to review the original master plan (Council Resolution Number
0408/041) to retain the existing surf club in its current location, simplify the design and
reduce the overall cost of the project. This review required a complex public consultation
process and highlighted some potential new opportunities along The Esplanade for
commercial developments that would also act as attractions to the beach front.
This consultation process involved several meetings with Councillors and the potential to
refurbish and use the Maureen Grierson Centre was discussed in various forums as were
the possible types of attractions that could be considered e.g. a surf museum. At the same
time discussion took place on improving the urban design of the public realm in and around
Scarborough Beach including the operation of The Esplanade.
This process led to the development of a revised Scarborough Beach Urban Design Master
Plan developed with substantial community input that was adopted by Council on
2 August 2011 (Council Resolution Number 811/0113). The revised Master Plan confirms
the intent to demolish the Maureen Grierson Centre to allow for changes to the road network
and creation of a street feel along that section of The Esplanade. Council has also since
granted development approval for the existing hotel site that involves demolition of the
existing walkway from the hotel, refurbishment of the hotel tower and construction of new
apartments on that site. The City has also submitted the revised Master Plan to the Western
Australian Planning Commission seeking approval of that plan and the matter is due to be
considered by the Western Australian Planning Commission in April 2012.
Comment
The adopted plan involves demolition of Maureen Grierson Centre and filling the site to bring
it level with The Esplanade to provide proposed new commercial buildings with road frontage
and sea views to enhance the attractiveness and appeal for likely hospitality or retail based
business. The existing Maureen Grierson Centre sits in a hollow and is constructed to be
almost hidden from The Esplanade. This location makes it less attractive when the potential
to refurbish and use as an attraction or multiple attractions is concerned. The current
location has little or no street appeal and refurbishment of the centre would not improve the
precinct or development of street appeal as envisaged in the revised Master Plan.
As stated previously the existing Maureen Grierson Centre was gifted to the City as a
community centre and is located on Crown land. In considering the potential to use it for
another purpose the City must refer to zoning of the land and what can be done based on
existing approvals. The Crown reserve the centre is built on is designated for recreation. It
could be argued that locating an attraction or multiple attractions there could be argued to
provide an avenue for recreation. This assumes the City would operate the facility itself
rather than leasing it out to a private operator as the recently adopted Master Plan
advocates. The City does not currently have the power to lease the centre and as a donated
community building it could be argued that it should not be doing so.
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