Master plan engagement compiled

In November/December 2020 we asked for input on the draft master plan for Booyeembara Park, which includes the mountain bike trail upgrades.The findings of this engagement have now been compiled and you can download a copy of the report here or via the My Say Freo page.

What we heard

The My Say Freo page for the master plan project was visited 385 times with a total of 26 submissions, and the drop-in information session was attended by about 35 people. The majority of respondents spoke positively about the plan and thought it would be of great benefit to the community.

Those who didn't support the plan were mostly concerned about impacts on the natural environment and existing attributes of the reserve. The City notes these concerns and all work within the park will be undertaken with the view to have minimal impact on the existing vegetation.

Regarding parking, Option A (off street parking, with additional on-street bays) was the preferred method due to improved safety and reduced impact on local residents. This also responds to the community desire for more parking in the area that was raised in 2018 and 2020 engagement projects.

Please read the report for full details on the input we received.

Next steps

As a result of the findings, the internal parking (Option A) will be incorporated for the mountain bike trail area. The City will continue developing proposals for traffic calming options on Stevens and Montreal Streets that also improve pedestrian accessibility.

The proposed upgrades will be considered by the Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation (FPOL) Committee, expected in February 2021. If approved, the projects will progress to detailed design and (where applicable) additional funding sought.