Shire of Mundaring has secured $15 million from the Federal Government’s Thriving Suburbs Grant Program, paving the way for the transformational Town Centre Revitalisation Project. This once-in-a-generation initiative will create the Mundaring Cultural Hub — a catalyst for diverse housing options and economic growth in the Perth Hills.

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government Minister Catherine King underscored the importance of federal investment in local communities.

“Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade essential local assets after being deprived of a competitive urban community infrastructure program under the former Government.

“We established Thriving Suburbs to fix this problem – to support local organisations with the funding they need to build better cities and more liveable suburbs.

“Whether sports clubs, urban precincts or community hubs, community facilities are the backbone of connected societies – and they’re becoming increasingly important.

“This important investment will make a real difference for thousands of Western Australians by supporting community infrastructure that brings people together and increases local amenity.”

By consolidating outdated community services into a modern, multi-purpose cultural hub, the project will deliver a dynamic centrepiece featuring an art gallery, contemporary library, visitor centre, local history museum, wellness clinic, and versatile community spaces. These facilities will connect seamlessly with key attractions such as Sculpture Park and local walking trails, enhancing Mundaring’s appeal as a cultural and recreational destination.

Shire President Paige McNeil celebrated the announcement, highlighting the profound benefits the project will deliver to the community.

“This is a landmark moment for the Shire of Mundaring and a huge step forward for our community. The heart of Mundaring will become an arts, culture and community showpiece, promoting economic growth and increased tourism. This funding brings us closer to realising our vision of a vibrant, sustainable future for Mundaring,” she said.

The project will stimulate investment in housing diversity to meet demand for retirement living, aged care, and independent housing, conveniently located near retail, healthcare, and vibrant public spaces just 35 kilometres from Perth CBD. Surrounding land will be available for mixed-use development once current services are consolidated into the new Mundaring Cultural Hub.

Economic modelling conducted by the Shire estimates the project will increase Gross Regional Product by $68 million, generate $112 million in direct output, and create up to 61 direct jobs during construction, with an additional 87 indirect jobs contributing $37 million in wages.

With construction targeted to commence in 2026, the Shire of Mundaring extends its gratitude to the Federal Government for recognising the transformative potential of this project and providing the critical funding needed to make it a reality.

Read the Federal Government's media release here: Funding to support Western Australian suburbs to thrive | Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure

On Thursday, 26 September, Shire of Mundaring welcomed key stakeholders and state political candidates to a briefing on the Mundaring Town Centre Revitalisation Project.

The landmark project is set to transform the heart of Mundaring into an arts, culture and community centre that promises to reshape the region and boost tourism and economic development. A state-of-the-art multi-story Cultural Hub is central to the project bringing together an art gallery, history museum, library, visitor centre and commercial spaces under one roof.

As part of the revitalisation project, the Shire will commit freehold land within the precinct, paving the way for higher density housing close to essential services and amenities. This strategic move will support the creation of safe, affordable and diverse housing options in the Town centre for a growing and ageing population.

The project is expected to support the long-term development of up to 850 new dwellings in the town centre, reinforcing the Shire’s commitment to sustainable growth. With an estimated cost of $25 million, the Shire has committed $12 million to the project and is actively pursuing additional funding through the Federal Government’s Thriving Suburbs Grant and Housing Support Program, which would help reduce the remaining funding gap to $8 million.

Shire President Paige McNeil described the landmark project as a once in a generation opportunity to reshape the community’s future.

“Our flagship project will create a contemporary heart and identity for Mundaring, celebrating our past and planning for our future. This vibrant community cultural hub is the catalyst for economic growth and local jobs, making Mundaring a notable arts and cultural destination,"she said.

“This strategic move will support the creation of safe, affordable and diverse housing options in the town centre for a growing and ageing population.”

12 June 2024 – Shire of Mundaring Council has approved a significant land rationalisation plan aimed at revitalising the Mundaring Town Centre. Council’s decision paves the way for new private investments and the development of the proposed Cultural Hub.

Key decisions:

• Land tenure changes: The Shire will seek to convert several key parcels of land currently held as Crown reserves, to Shire Freehold. This includes the following sites:

  • Albert Facey Memorial Library;

  • toy library/child health clinic site and the adjoining vacant land at the corner of Mundaring Weir Road and Jacoby Street; and

  • vacant land on the corner of Nichol Street and Craig Street.

The Shire will seek to convert land currently held as Shire Freehold, including the current Mundaring Community Men’s Shed site, to Crown reserve.

• Private development opportunities: With these land tenure changes, the Shire aims to attract private investments to develop retail, housing, aged care, and mixed-use projects. These developments are crucial to meet the community's vision for a revitalised Mundaring Town Centre.

Strategic goals: The changes align with the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan 2020-2030, which prioritises creating a built environment that supports community needs and revitalisation of the Mundaring Town Centre. The reorganisation of land tenure is expected to streamline the process of attracting private investment and ensure a more efficient use of land.

Community impact: The revitalisation project promises to transform Mundaring Town Centre into a bustling, desirable place to live, work, shop, and visit. Enhancements to the cultural precinct and improved pedestrian connectivity are among the planned upgrades. New private investment will help create a more vibrant town centre, with an increased resident population to support a more welcoming, sustainable and prosperous town centre.

Next steps: Shire officers will begin negotiating with key stakeholders, including key landholders and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, to facilitate the proposed land exchanges. The Chief Executive Officer is also tasked with seeking development opportunities and presenting potential private development proposals to the Council for consideration.

This strategic initiative marks a significant step towards realising the Shire’s vision for a revitalised and dynamic Mundaring Town Centre, benefiting residents, local business and visitors alike.

Released on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 at 3:55:25 PM

The heart of Mundaring will be transformed into an arts, culture and community showpiece, that paves the way for economic growth and tourism.

Shire of Mundaring Councillors voted unanimously to kick start approval for the much needed and long-awaited Mundaring Town Centre Revitalisation and Multi-Purpose Community Facility (MPCF) project.

Shire President Paige McNeil said the project will position Mundaring for a future that opens the door to tourism opportunities with direct links to Mundaring’s renowned Sculpture Park, walking tracks and trails and sustainable residential options.

“This is about creating a new town and community centre for Mundaring and is one of the most significant and exciting projects for our Shire in over 100 years,” she said

“This project will create a contemporary heart and identity for Mundaring that celebrates our past, provides for our future and puts us on the map as an arts and cultural destination. This is our opportunity to showcase the unique hallmarks of our Perth Hills.”

Council endorsed a $20-$25 million budget to continue the initial implementation stage, while noting the priority to secure external funding to maximise benefits for our residents and ratepayers.

The approved budget will facilitate the development of a multi-story, multi-purpose Community Hub, with the potential for popular community services including an arts gallery, visitor centre, local history museum, contemporary library including a community toy library, community health clinic and shared community spaces. An important element will be the inclusion of commercial spaces to help offset some servicing costs.

"I’m super excited about this project! It will create a new town centre that’s a vibrant community cultural hub for residents and visitors to enjoy and a catalyst for economic growth and local job’s for our Shire.”

As part of the Mundaring Town Centre Revitalisation three concept sketch and master plan options for the Multi-Purpose Community Facility (MPCF) and surrounding cultural precinct were presented at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 5 September.

Shire of Mundaring Council endorsed Option B – Circular (West) as the preferred option.

Shire President James Martin said the preferred option was in-line with the community’s preferred aesthetic of a circular central community space within the cultural precinct.

“The circular west design reflects careful consideration of immediate functionality and future possibilities within the broader precinct context including development potential on Mundaring Weir Road,” he said.

“It directly connects the northern laneway, Craig Street, Jacoby Street, and Sculpture Park, facilitating seamless movement throughout the precinct.

“It is envisioned that a range of civic and community facilities, such as the Albert Facey Memorial Library, Mundaring Art Centre, Mundaring and Hills Historical Society and a number of other community services will move into the proposed new Multi-Purpose Community Facility.

“In this design, the Library and Mundaring Art Centre's placement in relation to Sculpture Park and the central courtyard ensures a cohesive user experience, with these facilities serving as focal points to the south-west of the building.”

“The Shire acknowledges the significant contribution made by the community and key stakeholders in the process.

The concept sketches presented to Council were developed following active input from community members, residents, community groups, service providers and councillors through a range of engagement activities including a collaborative design forum, stakeholder interviews, community survey, and input from a community deliberative panel earlier.

The endorsement of a concept sketch for the MPCF and cultural precinct forms part of a comprehensive and community-driven three-year planning and design phase (Stage 2: 2022-2025) with the next steps including concept design, operational modelling, initial land assembly work, precinct improvements and securing funding for construction. Following this, Council will consider proceeding to the next stage of the project.

Stage 3 (2025-2026) will involve detailed design of the MPCF, with construction of the new facility (Stage 4) scheduled to begin in 2027.

Building on an increasing understanding of community needs and aspirations for the Mundaring Town Centre, 50 members of the community worked in collaboration with the Shire’s design consultants over 28 and 30 May. Initial concepts for the MPCF and Cultural Precinct were developed during this collaborative forum.

These initial concept options will be refined by key stakeholders and a smaller group of community representatives over the coming weeks. Following this, broader community feedback will be sought via an online survey.

Shire of Mundaring Council endorsed the proposed Engagement Strategy for Stage 2 of the Mundaring Multi-purpose Community Facility Project (MPCF) at its Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 14 February.

Stage 2 involves detailed planning of a cultural precinct and development of a concept design for a new multi-purpose facility.

Shire President James Martin said the Shire had developed a thorough Engagement Strategy which would guide engagement with community and stakeholders throughout the second stage.

“The Shire is reimagining its town centre by creating a new civic and cultural heart,” he said.

“This includes co-locating the majority of existing community facilities and services within a multi-purpose facility, including the Albert Facey Memorial Library and a range of other community services.”

Cr Martin said the Council was pleased the MPCF had progressed through to Stage 2 and that the Strategy ensured strong involvement by the community.

“In the coming weeks, the Shire will invite the community and stakeholders to participate in a survey,” he said.

“The survey will help the Shire to understand community aspirations for the design and function of the new MPCF and other key facilities within the cultural precinct.

“This will inform three concept sketches for the facility and a master plan for the cultural precinct.”

Once designed, the sketches and masterplan will be presented to Council to consider which option presents the best outcome for the community.