What We Thought Would Kill Us

Hillarys Boat Harbour has arguably become one of the most successful tourism, commercial, recreational and boating developments in Perth. With its protected swimming beach, cafes, restaurants, retail, commercial, tourism, leisure and marine activities, the harbour attracts between four to five million visitors annually, provides the recreational and leisure needs of the wider regional population and directly employs more than 1,200 people, (Department of Transport (DOT), 2011). People love it. However, at the time of its development in the 1980s, the boat harbour became one of the most hotly and sometimes violently disputed developments in Perth’s history. Protestors lay down in front of bulldozers demanding that the government stop works on the project. This case study examines the then community’s concerns and fears about the boat harbour and whether they have come to fruition, or whether Hillarys Boat Harbour is an example of how development that the community feels threatened by in the short term can, in the long term, become our biggest assets or even be judged as unambitious by the next generation(s).

This report examines three defining events in the history of Perth’s passenger transport system: the electrification of the Perth to Fremantle Rail line; the development and operation of the Northern Suburbs Rapid Transit system; and the development of Perth’s new metro rail – the South West Rail line.

This case study examines the then community’s concerns about the development of the Bell Tower; how this concern impacted on the ultimate design and outcome of the project; why, as a community, we have a tendency to undervalue investment in landmark places and spaces; and the difficulty governments face in investing in assets that do not have an immediate measurable benefit.

This report examines the construction of Perth Arena (now RAC Arena), a multi-purpose entertainment and sporting arena in Perth’s city centre which is one of the most hotly debated public projects in recent times.

This case study is the fifth in the series, and examines the Raffles Waterfront Development, a controversial high density residential development constructed within what has become known as the Canning Bridge Precinct.

This report examines the controversy and long-term outcomes surrounding the Graham Farmer Freeway and Northbridge Tunnel project. The Freeway with a 1.6 kilometre tunnel was proposed as a long-term solution to alleviate inner-city traffic congestion. The project received wide-spread community support, however there were others who were vehemently opposed to the project on the grounds that it was an out-dated proposal that would continue to facilitate a car dependent community. Opponents suggested that the project’s cost of over $300 million would be better spent on public transport.

This case study is the seventh in the series and examines the redevelopment of the Old Swan Brewery, a highly controversial repurposing of a cluster of historic buildings on the Swan River at the foot of Kings Park.

The Learnings and Recommendations report consolidates and summarises the findings of seven case studies on the most controversial landmark projects in Perth’s recent history and provides 10 recommendations for future projects. Key Findings: - Projects should be consistent with long-term strategic goals and objectives for the region and success is achieved through comprehensive, evidence-based criteria including social, cultural and environmental costs and benefits. - Some projects are more likely to be controversial than others, and include those in coastal/foreshore locations; sites with links to indigenous and/or European heritage values; in established residential and commercial areas; those with bold design; lack of bipartisan support; limited opportunity for public involvement; and existing concern regarding government decision-making in the area. - Engaging with the community and Traditional Owners of the land early in a project process assists in awareness and acceptance. Benefits of community involvement include education, building community alliances, empowerment, skill development and improved understanding of government processes. - Implementing best practice project management, procurement and funding models including cost benefit analysis for projects involving land use change and development is essential to avoid controversy and conflict and ensure efficient and effective implementation and outcomes. - Elitism, environmental impacts, changes to local character or amenity and the impacts on transport and traffic were the main community concerns highlighted through the What We Thought Would Kill Us case studies. This highlights the importance of achieving a strong community mandate for landmark public projects and ensuring that these projects deliver broad ranging public benefits that outweigh potential impacts to local amenity and the environment.

The eighth case study examines the controversies, red tape and challenges surrounding alfresco dining that were faced by the local business community in developing what has become a hallmark feature of our lifestyle. Diving into Greater Perth's colonial beginnings and the first alfresco eateries in Fremantle, it explores the trivial and challenging pathway that led to alfresco dining as we know it today.