The City has taken out the top spot in the Minster for Local Government’s Place Innovation Awards this week for the Metropolitan Perth and Peel region.
The annual award recognises projects that transform under-utilised public space into vibrant space for local communities.
The City of Subiaco was awarded the win for the transformation of
Walmsley Lane into a welcoming space that boosted foot traffic and the overall appeal of the town centre.
Mayor David McMullen said it was fantastic for a Subiaco good news story to receive external recognition from the Minister and the local government sector.
“Not only does this award win recognise a transformative project for our town centre; it also celebrates the project team's high level of internal and external collaboration and engagement, that has resulted in successful implementation of the project,” he said.
“Walmsley Lane is a small, previously-nondescript laneway. But the positive impact of the transformation on nearby businesses, community, and the amenity of the area is quite significant.”
Tucked off Rokeby Road, Walmsley Lane is a laneway that was transformed with bold black pots and vibrant greenery, new lighting, and colourful upcycled seating in spring 2023.
Walmsley Lane was the first laneway to be given a makeover as part of the City’s ongoing Greenwalks project, which aims to improve the usability and character of a number of small laneways and pedestrian routes that intersect with Rokeby Road.
The project is helping to enhance the village feel of Subiaco, increasing greenery and stormwater retention, and supporting the night-time economy with an increased sense of safety and the use of lighting.
The City is also investing in a number of larger upgrades to the public realm, including
Postal Walk (which also won an award),
Seddon Street and, mostly recently,
Forrest Walk which was officially opened on Wednesday 9 October. Works on Rokeby South are due to commence mid-2025; and the City has also recently announced the City-wide
Subiaco Streets project.