Canning Bridge Activity Centre Plan Review

An Activity Centre Plan (ACP) is a guide for how an area will grow and change over time. It sets out a shared vision for what the place could look and feel like - where people can live, shop, work, relax, and connect.

It helps shape things like land use (for homes, shops, cafés, and community spaces), transport and parking, building design, and public spaces. The plan gives direction for future investment so the area can become a vibrant, welcoming, and well-connected hub for everyone.

The Canning Bridge Precinct Vision Statement guides the Canning Bridge Activity Centre Plan (CBACP).

‘The Canning Bridge area will evolve to become a unique, vibrant, creative community centred on the integrated transport node of the Canning Bridge rail station. The area will be recognised by its unique location, its integrated mix of office, retail, residential, recreational and cultural uses that create areas of excitement, the promotion of its local heritage and as a pedestrian friendly enclave that integrates with the regional transport networks while enhancing the natural attractions of the Swan and Canning Rivers’

Based on the feedback captured through the review process, it was recommended that the CBACP vision remain unchanged, however the goals have been revised to reflect local priorities more accurately.

The revised goals and principles are outlined on page 34-35 of the CBAC Precinct and Place Report.

The Local Planning Scheme 6 (LPS6) is the City’s main planning framework that guides how land across the whole City of Melville can be used and developed. It sets the broad rules for things like housing, business, transport, open space, and the environment.

The CBACP sits under the LPS6 and provides more detailed guidance for just one specific area, the Canning Bridge precinct. While the LPS looks at the big picture for the entire City, the CBACP focuses on the finer details of how this local area should grow, including building heights, land use, design, and public spaces.

Together, the LPS6 and the CBACP help shape the long-term vision for the City,  ensuring development in Canning Bridge supports the wider goals of a connected, vibrant, and sustainable Melville.

The final decision on an Activity Centre Plan (ACP) is made by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).

The City of Melville works closely with the community and key stakeholders to prepare and review the plan. Once feedback has been considered and any changes made, the City presents the final version to the WAPC for approval.

The WAPC then reviews the plan to make sure it aligns with State planning policies and regional strategies before it becomes a formally approved planning document.

Community benefits are improvements or infrastructure that provide value to the community - for example, new public spaces, shared facilities, or upgrades to local amenities.

Development incentives give developers extra development potential (such as more building height) when their project delivers both community benefits and exemplary design. These incentives are sometimes referred to as:

• bonus provisions
• height bonuses
• development bonuses

For example, a developer may be allowed additional building height in exchange for creating high-quality public spaces.

Exemplary design means development that is high quality, inclusive, and incorporates innovative or outstanding features. It should set a positive example for future developments in the area.

Transitional areas are places where there is a change between the development potential of adjacent properties. For example changes in building height zones within the CBACP area and where the H4 zone (for buildings up to 4 storeys) is near single storey properties that are outside of the CBACP area.

Currently there are four zones

• M15: Mixed use zone with building up to 15 storeys with possibility of bonus height* 
• M10: Mixed use zone with buildings up to 10 storeys with possibility of bonus height*
• H8: Residential up to 6-8 storeys
• H4: Residential up to 4 storeys

 *In the M10 and M15 Zones, additional storeys can be awarded which show exemplary design and provide community benefits. Lots in the M10 zone which interface with the H4 and H8 zones are restricted to a maximum height bonus of 5 storeys. 

The diagram below shows the location of these heights within the City of Melville.

CBACP-Zones-P15-of-Plan

An extensive engagement process was undertaken to help prepare the updated Canning Bridge Activity Centre Plan (CBACP).

Engagement Stages

1. Community survey (Nov 2020)
   Gathered community views on the current CBACP, including expectations and ideas for potential future improvements.
2. Community, business and landowner workshops (Nov–Dec 2020)
   Brought together community members, businesses and landowners to learn about the project and share perspectives, concerns and priorities.
3. Place design forum (22–24 Feb 2021)
   A three-day forum run by Hatch RobertsDay to maximise stakeholder input through a collaborative planning and design process.
   • Built on earlier engagement outcomes.
   • Served as the main way CBACP Review options were developed and refined.
   • Involved the project team, City staff, Elected Members, and a stakeholder group selected via an Expression of Interest process to ensure a diversity of views.
4. Open house (24 Feb 2021)
   Invited the wider community to engage with participant after the Place Design Forum, ensuring the draft Precinct and Place Report reflected a balance of stakeholder views.

The outcomes of this engagement were captured in the Canning Bridge Precinct and Place Report.

Hatch RobertsDay is an independent planning and design consultancy appointed to lead the review, including coordinating the engagement with community and stakeholders, and prepare the updated draft Canning Bridge Activity Centre Plan (CBACP).

A 60-day public comment period on the draft CBACP ran from Monday, 29 August 2022 to Friday, 28 October 2022, inviting community submissions and feedback.

The consultation was supported through:

• An information open day on Thursday, 8 September 2022
• A youth workshop hosted by the Youth Affairs Council of WA for 16–25 year-olds on Wednesday, 26 October 2022
• Promotion across digital and traditional channels, including local newspapers, mail-outs, social media, a dedicated engagement webpage, and direct invitations to people previously involved in the project

The CBACP Stakeholder Panel also played a key role in reviewing issues, ideas and opportunities raised during this period, meeting for a series of three workshops in November 2022.

As part of the 60-day public submissions process, participants from the three-day CBACP Place design forum (ran by Hatch RobertsDay in February 2021) were invited to express interest in joining a CBACP Stakeholder Panel.

The Panel was established to:

• Take part in deliberative discussions on public submissions
• Assist Hatch RobertsDay in preparing final recommendations to the City of Melville

Member selection

Hatch RobertsDay selected panellists from the 2021 Place Design Forum cohort to ensure a broad and balanced range of views. This group had already been involved in detailed conversations that shaped the Canning Bridge Precinct and Place Report.

The Panel included:

• 17 representatives from the community, landowners and businesses
• 3 City of Melville staff
• 2 Ward Councillors attending as observers only

Workshops

The Stakeholder Panel worked closely with technical experts to help shape the final modifications to the draft Activity Centre Plan Review. The panel’s discussions focused on ensuring the process was fair, transparent, and consistent.

Sessions were held on the 2, 9 and 30 November 2022.

CBACP Stakeholder Panel Rules of engagement

The Community Reference Group (CRG), an independent panel of community representatives formerly known as the Council Reference Group, prepared a report with recommendations on the draft Canning Bridge Activity Centre Plan (CBACP). At the November 2019 Ordinary Meeting of Council, Council resolved to release both the CRG’s report and recommendations, alongside the draft CBACP prepared by consultants Hatch RobertsDay, for public advertising and community feedback.

CRG Report to Council