We’re pleased to announce that the Fremantle electorate suburb of Willagee will soon be home to an innovative project showcasing the best in urban design, planning and renewal, funded as part of our efforts to make the nation’s major cities more productive, sustainable and liveable.
The Gillard Labor Government is providing $30,000 so that the City of Melville can undertake planning to rejuvenate Willagee and prepare it for future growth.
The Willagee Structure Plan will focus on developing a range of affordable housing, particularly for low income households, and will identify the best location for shops and other commercial activities.
The region’s natural bushland will be protected, new parks created and streetscapes and public spaces enhanced.
Walking and cycling opportunities will also be addressed, as will protection of the important Leach Highway freight corridor, with appropriate noise attenuation.
The West Australian Department of Housing is also a partner in the project.
From a national perspective, it’s a great example of the kind of partnership between levels of government that will be required if we are to overcome the big challenges facing our cities such as climate change, a lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion and a growing, ageing population.
Indeed, as one of the most urbanised societies on the planet, Australia’s future economic prosperity and social cohesion will depend largely on how successful we are at making our cities more productive, sustainable and liveable.
That’s why Federal Labor has ended the Commonwealth’s self-imposed, decade long exile from our major cities and is again engaging with the states and territories as well as local councils to bring about a much needed urban renaissance.
The Willagee Structure Plan will be delivered with support from the Australian Government’s $20 million Liveable Cities Program.