The national peak body for local governments in Australia’s outer urban growth areas has recognised the City of Cockburn for best practice design, collaboration and impact for its $6m redevelopment of the Cockburn Wetlands Precinct.
The City took out the Built Environment category of the National Growth Areas Alliance Excellence and Innovation Awards announced at its 2022 Congress in Melbourne on 18 March, recognising the project’s liveability, productivity and resilience outcomes vital to successful projects in fast-growing Australian local government areas.
The award was accepted by Cockburn CEO Tony Brun who said the City’s transformative redevelopment was underpinned by a collaborative partnership with the Precinct’s tenants WA Wildlife, The Wetlands Centre Cockburn (TWCC) and Bibra Lake Scout Group, all of whom were able to remain functioning on site during the two-year redevelopment process.
“The redevelopment has allowed the site on the northern shore of Walliabup-Bibra Lake to deliver diverse learning experiences while protecting the natural environment and celebrating cultural heritage,” Mr Brun said.
The redevelopment created a state-of-the-art integrated education and rehabilitation hub featuring elements of Ecological Sustainable Design including an Aerobic Treatment Unit to treat sewage and grey water on site, 30kW of photovoltaic panels, double glazing on selected windows, rammed earth walls, louvres, LED lighting, four-star rated plumbing fixtures and taps, and heat recovery variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning.
A 100sqm artificial wetland and jetty helps educate students about the important functions of wetlands and their continuing cultural significance to the local Aboriginal community.
As many trees as possible were kept on site and extensive bushfire wise landscaping enhances habitat values and showcases landscaping design and plant selection to minimise bushfire risk.
The redevelopment was enhanced by generous Lotterywest grants of more than $2.2m for vital facility fit out and development of programs and training/education opportunities at WA Wildlife and TWCC, which received $1.469m and $800,836 respectively.
Every year, the City provides $90,765.25 (ex. GST) each in funding and program support to WA Wildlife and TWCC. This funding follows a 5-year cycle and is indexed annually.
Find out more about the project on the City's
website.
Caption: City of Cockburn CEO Tony Brun receives the City's award from NGAA Executive Officer Bronwen Clarke at the Melbourne congress.