The City of Nedlands recently surveyed our community regarding a number of draft concepts for the Hampden Broadway North Hollywood precincts study. CATALYSE®, an independent research company was appointed to collate and report on the survey results. These results are now available online or at the City’s Administration Centre and libraries.

While the results indicate general support, the City has listened to the comments from the community and acknowledges the concepts require further work and information gathering before proceeding to the final stage.

The project plan as adopted by the City’s Council will be replaced with a new project plan that will include steps to address the comments that have emerged during the consultation process. The new project plan will still result in final draft special control area provisions and will require adoption by the Council.

Community members and stakeholders will have further opportunities to comment and updates will be available from the City’s website.

About the project

Historically much of the City of Nedlands was developed by single detached housing on large parcels of land. This led to a highly valued residential character developing over time which has become an integral characteristic of the City. However, as the population continues to get older and family and household sizes reduce, the City will need to respond by facilitating a greater diversity of housing types for people wishing to live in the City whose needs are not met by a traditional single house. As a result, the areas west of Hampden Road and Broadway in addition to North Hollywood were identified as study precincts where more housing choice and a mix of uses can be provided.

Project area

For this study, the project area is divided into three precincts:

Hampden: bounded by Hampden Road, Williams Road, Monash Avenue and Gordon Street.
Broadway: bounded by Broadway, Stirling Highway, Bruce Street and The Esplanade.
North Hollywood: bounded by Verdun Street, Aberdare Road, Gairdner Drive and the Old Hollywood High School site.

Project aim

The aim of the study has been to produce special control provisions to ensure that new development contributes towards achieving an attractive viable mix of uses including a significant residential component with increased housing choice. This stage is the final concepts for community feedback.

Community engagement

Stage 1 concept testing: July 2010 to February 2011

In July 2010 community engagement specialists CATALYSE were appointed to undertake a needs and expectations study of the precinct. The study involved in-depth interviews, focus groups and surveys, with key stakeholders.

In August 2010 Council expanded the precinct area to include the North Hollywood precinct, bounded by Aberdare Road, Gardiner Drive, Verdun Street and the Hollywood High School redevelopment site.

CATALYSE have completed the needs and expectations survey and the results are now available. The report builds on findings from qualitative research and details key findings from the survey research. Feedback suggests that the vision for the precinct is to be more attractive, vibrant and lively, providing a greater diversity of housing and commercial choices, with improved parking and safer roads.

Stage 2 concept survey: March 2011 to May 2011

The next stage of the study has involved:

Preparing several concepts for the future planning and development of the streetscape, built form and land uses within the precinct areas.
Sending a comprehensive survey to all residents within each precinct as well as approximately 1500 randomly selected residents living in the City. Please note: anyone can complete the survey.
Preparing an information package to accompany the concept survey.