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James Street Cultural Precinct Takes the Next Step
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Realisation of the James Street Cultural Precinct is one step closer after Council endorsed the James Street Cultural Precinct Development Plan at the March Council Meeting. The next stage, to secure a suitably qualified consultant for delivery of a detailed concept design, business case and costings for the priority development packages, is about to get underway.
The Cultural and Tourism Hub package of the Development Plan, with the library as the major component, will be the first cab off the ranks for delivery. Esperance’s existing library is coming to the end of its life and it is a Shire priority to deliver a modern replacement facility to the community.
The Development Plan splits staging and implementation into a series of packages, with the Cultural and Tourism Hub identified as Package 1. In order to progress this, detailed planning will also need to be undertaken on Package 2 – Goods Shed Redevelopment and Package 3(b) – Village Green. While the delivery of these elements can be staggered the initial planning for each element is interlinked. The Development Plan and further details of the James Street Cultural Precinct may be accessed on the Shire’s website here.
Esperance Shire President Ian Mickel said he’s looking forward to seeing the concept designs.
“We had a great response from the community, telling us how they want to see this Precinct take shape” he said. “It’s an area which holds great memories and associations for myself and much of the region’s population, and I’m excited to see how this translates to the design.”
“The James Street Cultural Precinct is going to be another wonderful part of our town centre, very important in its revitalisation, and to link to the foreshore with friendly, active spaces”
Shire of Esperance CEO Shane Burge said that comprehensive consultation over the last two years and the level of support for the Development Plan means the community can have confidence in the outcomes.
“Three scenarios were developed for the last round of consultation, with the ability for community members to pick and choose their favoured elements from each,” he said. “This flexible approach means the final design will best meet the vision we all have for the area, and we expect further opportunities for engagement with the community will occur as work progresses.”
The detailed concept design will be guided by the Development Plan, with some of the key
elements to be; a collocated facility housing the library, visitor information centre, volunteer support centre, flexible community and arts spaces, commercial hospitality offering, and museum space; a flexible approach to the Goods Shed depending on level of museum relocation to new collocated facility; a high degree of heritage interpretation throughout the precinct; a replacement playground for Grace Darling Park, incorporating the positive features of the current Grace Darling Park; and improvement of vehicle and pedestrian access and connections throughout the Precinct.
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Ends
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary Bidstrup (08) 9071 0626
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