OUR CITY IS SET TO BE TRANSFORMED

In April 2018, we partnered with more than 1,000 community members and stakeholders to shape the future of the Kal City Centre. This process unearthed what was needed to return the city’s main streets to a thriving heart of economic, cultural and physical activity. 

In August 2018, we translated your ideas into a vision for the future, and captured them in a Place Plan, setting out the overall city centre philosophy and precincts. 

In January 2019, we decided which precincts should be funded with the available $16 million budget. Then, in December 2019 we tasked ASPECT Studios with turning the community engagement work by element, into detailed designs for construction. 

In June 2020, the SCHEMATIC DESIGNS were finalised and approved. These designs provide the creative template for the three development areas: 

  • St Barbara’s Square: The civic heart for activity, dining and events, including water play, misting, lighting, performance space, and a major shade canopy;
  • St Barbara’s Laneway: A junior play space and alfresco area including soft landscape areas, play sculptures, and new toilets to replace the existing St Barbara’s toilets; and
  • The Laneway: A new urban plaza and entertainment precinct including a renewed retail interface, small events space, nature play, and building projection.

We’ll now be moving towards construction in early 2021. The tender for construction will be a two-stage process commencing in September 2020. This will include an Expression of Interest process followed by a shortlisting of suitable contractors who will be invited to tender for the Project. The final tender will be awarded by December 2020.

  • Project Overview
    Overview of Project Area
  • St Barbara's Square
    St Barbara’s Square
  • St Barbara's Square
    St Barbara’s Square
  • St Barbara's Square
    St Barbara’s Square
  • St Barbara's Square
    St Barbara’s Square
  • St Barbara's Square Overview
    Overview of St Barbara’s Square and St Barbara’s Laneway
  • St Barbara's Laneway
    St Barbara’s Laneway
  • St Barbara's Laneway
    St Barbara’s Laneway
  • St Barbara's Laneway
    St Barbara’s Laneway
  • The Laneway
    The Laneway
  • The Laneway
    The Laneway
  • The Laneway
    The Laneway
  • The Laneway
    The Laneway
  • The Laneway Overview
    Overview of The Laneway

THE TEAM

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is the project’s driving force, taking it to the streets to collect ideas and listen to community feedback. Right across its workforce, the City is fully committed to the success of the project and will play a pivotal role in securing investment to translate the plan into action.

element

element (formerly TPG+Place Match) brings decades of experience in transforming city centres across WA. They will stand alongside the City throughout the community engagement process and analyse and distill insights to lead the creation of a new vision and plan for the city centre, sparking fresh beginnings.

ASPECT Studios Pty Ltd

ASPECT Studios Pty Ltd are an internationally awarded design firm with a reputation for delivering excellence in landscape architecture and sustainable urban design. Their carefully selected team of creative and technical professionals will bring our community’s ideas to life in designs for construction.

Contact Us

TIMELINE

We Are Here

Stages One to Four

March 2018 to March 2019
We listened to your ideas for the City Centre’s future, we transformed them into a new plan, and we developed a suite of strategic directions to bring our City Centre back to life.

Stage Five – Detailed Design

August 2019 to December 2020
We’ll appoint key project staff, as well as a firm, to progress our plans into working drawings, specifications, detailed cost estimates and procurement plans for construction.

Stage Six – Activations and Project Opportunities

Ongoing
We’ll continue to involve the community in activations of City Centre areas as well as seeking out local procurement prospects, including Aboriginal participation opportunities.

Stage Seven – Project Management and Construction

January 2021 to February 2022
We’ll determine the final development areas, timeframes and project management framework, and appoint a construction firm to carry out the build.

Then the physical work begins. Along the way of course we’ll be working closely with businesses, property owners and tenants to minimise interruptions and maximise outcomes.

FAQs

What about Aboriginal Economic Development opportunities?

We recognise the need for genuine collaborative processes, entrepreneurial opportunities and a clear cultural positioning for the City Centre. We want to hear from Aboriginal businesses who are interested in working with us to make it happen.

 

What stage is the project at?

We are now advancing towards the Construction Phase. After many months of site investigations and civil engineering studies, Schematic Designs were finalised. We are now undertaking a two-stage tendering process for construction. This includes an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to identify a panel of preferred tenderers for the construction of the Project. Once the EOI process has closed, a shortlist of suitable contractors will be identified and invited to tender for the Project, with the final work to be awarded in December 2020.

What are the project stages?

  • Stage One – Community Engagement and Schematic Design (Complete)
  • Stage Two – Schematic Design and Costing
  • Stage Three – Construction and Contract Administration

Which areas will be designed; what will they look like?

There will be three development areas; St Barbara’s Square, St Barbara’s Laneway and The Laneway.

The designs are based on the community-led place plan developed in August 2018 and reflect the key themes of a hand built city, (re)discovery, and catalyst.

How were the design areas selected?

The design areas were selected through the Place Plan, which defined the overall City Centre philosophy and precincts.

The precincts were then chosen based on the collective community view that they were priority areas for development, and those most likely to be progressed with current available funding.

Additional precincts may be integrated in time, subject to future investment decisions.

What changes will be happening to the streets; what areas will be accessible for everyone?

All precincts will feature “people first” zones but the extent of which is yet to be determined. No decision has been reached on any street closures which will be subject to cost assessments and detailed considerations.

Who is designing it?

ASPECT Studios Pty Ltd were appointed as the detailed design firm on 25 November 2019. ASPECT are an internationally awarded firm specialising in public realm projects. Their past projects include Perth’s Yagan Square and Sydney’s Barangaroo South.

How will businesses be impacted or disrupted?

There will be limited interruption to businesses during the design stage of the project.

The City will work closely with local businesses, property owners and tenants to minimise interruptions during the construction stage, to communicate what works will be taking place, how long they will take and what areas will be affected.

How will the City deter crime from occurring in the City Centre?

Working alongside the designs are a number of place activation initiatives to ensure the area will be regularly programmed with activity. In addition, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design has been integrated into the design principles along with upgraded CCTV and lighting.

What considerations are being made for Disability Access?

We are working to ensure the Project improves access and promotes inclusivity. The Project Design has been developed in line with relevant legislation and requirements. Various features such as the ground level water play area and additional shade have been accommodated. The project will also feature a Changing Places facility to meet the needs of people with complex disabilities and their carers.

How will the Project be tendered? How can local businesses get involved?

We are advocating for local businesses to supply goods and services for the Project. If you haven’t already, please register your business on the City’s Tenderlink portal to receive ongoing tender alerts: https://www.ckb.wa.gov.au/Doing-Business/Tenders-,-Quotations-Purchasing/Tenders-Quotations

What will be the economic benefits to businesses post construction?

Central to the success of this project is repositioning Kal City Centre as a safe, welcoming, authentic and engaging place which truly reflects Kalgoorlie’s people and way of life. This will increase foot traffic throughout the City Centre and create a boost to the local economy.

How has the project been communicated to businesses historically?

Extensive consultation has been carried out since the beginning of the Project where community members and stakeholders were invited to participate in workshops to have their say in the design process. These workshops were facilitated in April 2018, and resulted in more than 1,000 responses. This process unearthed what was needed to return the city’s main streets to a thriving heart of economic, cultural and physical activity.

Following on from the consultation process, we translated your ideas into a vision for the future, and captured them in a Place Plan, setting out the overall city centre philosophy and precincts.

In January 2019, we decided which precincts should be funded with the available $16 million budget. Then, in December 2019 we tasked ASPECT Studios with turning the community engagement work by Element, into detailed designs for construction.

What disruptions to service(s) will occur?

The City will work closely with local businesses, property owners and tenants to minimise disruptions during the construction stage.

Impacted businesses will be notified 48 hours in advance of planned works where possible.

Where will the tenants be able to park during construction?

Retailers will receive Exemption Permits as per their lease agreement which will enable them to access parking anywhere across the City.

What are the considerations for delivery drivers for shops along the Endowment block?

A dedicated delivery bay (to the left of the bus bay in St Barbara’s Square) is currently available on Hannan Street for Endowment Block retailers. The location for the bay may change as part of the project; however, there will be a delivery bay Central to the Endowment Block Buildings.

Who can I contact throughout the project for any concerns / updates?

You will be able to contact the Kal City Centre Team via email hello@kalcitycentre.com.au for any questions regarding the Projects. There will also be a staffed Site Office once construction begins for any concerns relating to the construction.

How can we get involved with the project?

Community members and local businesses can get involved by helping us to increase early economic opportunities through participation in or hosting, place and activation activities over the coming months. Email your ideas and interest to hello@kalcitycentre.com.au.

How do I find out more, receive regular updates – specific to business impacts i.e. construction timeframes?

We will be frequently updating our Kal City Centre website, Facebook and Instagram pages throughout the duration of the Project. There will also be bi-monthly e-news updates sent to you via email, and we are investing in a SMS system for quick notifications and updates that may impact the day.

If you need to update your contact details to ensure you receive all updates, please email hello@kalcitycentre.com.au.