Western Australian Sites
Hillarys Boat Harbour Stage 2
intro / overview / images / plan / location
Landscape Architects: Blackwell & Associates PTY LTD
location: Hillarys Boat harbour, Sorrento (Perth), Western Australia
Hillarys Boat Harbour is one of West Australia’s top tourist destinations and serves a much needed role as the maritime recreational precinct for the northern suburbs of Perth. Blackwell & Associates prepared a Master Plan for redevelopment in 2005 and commenced design and documentation of Stage 1 & 2 of the Master Plan in 2006.
The intent was to increase patronage and encourage parking to the northern extent of Hillarys Boat Harbour and reduce pressure on the southern car park and facilities through provision of universal accessible picnic and recreational facilities. Security has become a significant factor for design within the area and this stage increased safety through the provision of high quality lighting and selective planting / pruning to existing vegetated areas, maintaining clear sightlines.
The redevelopment focused on enhancing the amenity and improving access to the northern swimming beach by providing accessible picnic shelters and tables, large seating tables, BBQ’s and shower facilities and thereby activated the under-utilised beach area located south of the popular boat ramp road. The refurbishment maintained existing open space for boat show events, provided better accessibility to the swimming beach and through detailed grading, provided enhanced views into the harbour from nearby roads.
Numerous events held in the area, such as a boat show and children’s carnival, determined construction deadlines. Further complication was the need to accommodate semi-trailer access through the site.
The new works provides a focus for increasing patronage of northern sections of the harbour through provision of views from adjacent roads. Public art played an integral role in helping to define the area. Particularly successful is the orientation of the artwork, which through collaboration with both the client and artist provides interesting framing of the greater harbour area.
Of key concern were ongoing and relentless occurrences of vandalism and anti social behaviour. High quality lighting, replacement of mass planting that was effectively providing screening with more appropriate species, introduction of passive surveillance and creation of new thoroughfares all helped to enhance a sense of safety in the area which is now actively used throughout the day and night and also proves very popular on weekends.
Custom furniture was designed specifically for the project and includes items such as drinking fountains, shade structures, tables, benches, showers and foot washing facilities. These items are constructed from 316 stainless steel and aluminium to withstand the coastal environment. Orange safety paint was used to highlight some elements within these furniture items and provide visual links to the greater harbour.
Client: Department for Planning and Infrastructure
Key Personnel: Peter Woodward – Project Leader,
Budget: $1,630,000
Electrical Engineers: Wood & Grieve
Contractor: AARDE Constructions
Completion Date: October 2007
intro / overview / images / plan / location
April 2008
