Project Details

Kalamunda Activity Centre Plan

Project Status : In Progress

Estimated Completion Date : Ongoing

Location : Area bound by Elizabeth Street, Kalamunda Road, Canning Road, Railway Road and Dixon Road

The Kalamunda Activity Centre Plan (KACP) outlines the 10-year vision for the development of the town centre and provides a planning framework to coordinate the future subdivision, zoning and development in the area.

The vision for the Kalamunda Activity Centre is:

Kalamunda is a place borne of community spirit with a strong connection to its heritage. The town centre serves as a gateway to the hills and as a hub connecting both locals and visitors alike. Its natural bushland, setting and traditional village atmosphere are a platform to enhance Kalamunda's unique offerings, activities and events and provides spaces for community interactions and neighbourhood conversations.

The KACP applies to the following area (bound by Elizabeth Street, Kalamunda Road, Canning Road, Railway Road and Dixon Road).

Current Status

Following the conclusion of Phase 2: Public Advertising, the plan was finalised and presented to Council at the 24 March 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting. At this meeting, Council endorsed the Kalamunda Activity Centre Plan, subject to a number of modifications to address submissions received during advertising.

The KACP was referred to the Western Australian Planning Commission in April 2020 for final endorsement.

The City is also required to progress an amendment to the Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS 3) to ensure the KACP and LPS 3 Provisions are aligned, and to give full statutory effect. The LPS 3 amendment was adopted for advertising in November 2020 and will take approximately 8-12 months to complete.

At the Special Meeting of Council on 30 June 2020, Council Resolved to commit $2.4 million from the 2020/2021 budget to undertake Central Mall streetscape improvements as outlined in the Kalamunda Activity Centre - Landscape Master Plan. Construction commenced in late 2021 and is due to be completed in June/July 2022 - Find out more here

Community Engagement Process

Community consultation for the Kalamunda Activity Centre Plan occurred over two phases:

Phase 1: Visioning

The purpose of the visioning exercise was to discuss and test ideas, aspirations and objectives on the future of the Kalamunda town centre. The engagement exercises mentioned above were specifically structured to ensure a range of stakeholders and user groups’ inputs were received. The outcomes of this process are summarised in the following reports:

View/Download Visioning Report (2018)
View/Download Placemaking and Engagement Report (2019)

Phase 2: Public Advertising

On 28 May 2019, Council adopted the KACP for the purposes of public advertising.

The KACP was advertised from June - August 2019. A summary of the survey results and engagement findings is included in:

Kalamunda Activity Centre Plan: Planning Framework

The KACP document provides a high-level overview of the 'steps' needed to realise the vision for the town centre. Additional guidelines and plans sit under the KACP which identify the detailed steps needed to achieve the KACP's vision.

The KACP comprises a number of elements aimed at facilitating its 10-year vision:

A focus on Haynes Street as the traditional 'main street' and Central Mall becoming a food and beverage focus supported by a one-way shared vehicle/pedestrian street
Streetscape improvements to facilitate a pleasant pedestrian environment and complement a built form outcome that reflects the character of Kalamunda.
Increased commercial and residential (mixed use) development potential generally allowing for four storeys in the core of the town centre.
Design guidelines to provide a framework to ensure good quality design outcomes which are sympathetic to the character of Kalamunda.
A consolidation of retail and commercial activity within the town centre core, expanding from the current 20,000 sq.m for shop/retail and other floor space to an additional 2,800 - 3,800 sq.m
Consolidation of employment generating land uses, including larger format commercial, retail and civil uses around Mead Street, leveraging off Kalamunda Central Shopping Centre.
Celebration of cultural features by creating synergies between Stirk Park, including Stirk Cottage, Zig Zag Cultural Centre and Bibbulmun Track.
A 'frame' to the town centre core that supports predominantly residential and mixed-use development that contributes to the walkable catchment of the town centre.
Consolidated parking areas in appropriate locations.
Highly legible, safe and well-designed pedestrian linkages to connect all parts of the activity centre, as well as important community focal points beyond.

The success of the improvements envisaged in the KACP will depend on significant investment in public infrastructure such as streetscape enhancements, as part of the future capital works programs envisaged in the Landscape Master Plan. This will require further consideration by the Council as part of annual budgeting and setting of the City's Long-Term Financial Plan.

Several technical reports have been prepared to support the long term implementation of KACP, these are:

Technical Report	Purpose
Built Form Design Guidelines	Ensuring good quality design outcomes sympathetic to the character of Kalamunda.
Bush fire Management Plan	Review of site characteristics and overview to address requirements under bush fire planning policies.
Employment and Retail Analysis	Review of key demographic factors, household types, income
Historical and Aboriginal Baseline Assessment	Review to understand the current and future retail needs of local residents, exploring demographic factors, household types, income and dwelling distribution and population projections.
Transport Assessment	Review of traffic and parking in the town centre, including accessibility, safety and impacts on surrounding land uses and transport networks.
Engineering Services Report	Review of site characteristics, storm water drainage and utility services and provides recommendations for upgrades.

Amendment 106 to Local Planning Scheme No. 3

Amendment 106 seeks to introduce a new Centre zone and objectives, rezone the area affected by the draft KACP to the Centre zone, delete the existing Special Control Area provisions relating to the Kalamunda Town Centre Design Control area, and rationalise the existing Additional Uses, Special Uses and Restricted Uses contained within the amendment area.

Amendment 106 was initiated by the Council in November 2020. Consent to advertise was granted in August 2021 and advertising occurred between November and January 2022. The City is in the process of finalising the Amendment document in response to submissions received and anticipate a report to be presented to the Council by mid-2022.

Project Images

KAC Vision - 4 key elements - Character, Community, Live/work/play, Connected - full details found in visioning report

Contact Information

For further information on this project please contact the City's Strategic Planning Services during office hours:
Telephone: (08) 9257 9999
Email: enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au