Harvey Shire councillors ask for changes to major $21m Australind and Harvey community precinct projects

Harvey Shire councillors have asked for changes to two major precinct developments that would see $21 million pumped into the area’s two most populated towns. Resident feedback for two separate plans to upgrade both Harvey and Australind were presented at a council meeting last Tuesday night and look set to be incorporated into final designs for each of the towns. A draft Harvey community precinct plan outlines projects such as a new councillors’ chamber — including a public gallery, open office spaces, bar and lounge — as well as new administration buildings and use of historic buildings as arts, culture, tourism and event spaces. $21m precinct plan an 'extravagance' Although responses were mainly positive, an overwhelming number of residents said there was not enough parking and amenities included in the draft plan, with a number also critical of the lack of youth services and transformation of heritage facilities. Councillors unanimously agreed to incorporate the findings from the total of 250 responses into a revised plan that would then be presented at a future meeting. Projects face public scrutiny Shire president Paul Gillett said community feedback was essential to ensure the precinct was designed to cater for future needs and would be used by the heritage consultant and the council to determine the final master plan. “Following this process, the master plan will be presented back to council and community prior to progressing to the next stage, being the detailed design phase of the project,” he said. Councillors also voted to reassess the location for Australind’s community precinct, which would include a library, administration centre, art and cultural gallery, tourism information desk and Indigenous elders’ meeting area. A total of 298 residents provided feedback, with the preferred option to repurpose the existing council administration building as opposed to using the Leschenault Recreation Park or creating a “town centre” in Treendale. Councillors voted that new recommendations for the site be presented at a future meeting.