Postal Walk Public Realm Upgrade

The upgrade of Postal Walk has delivered a shared pedestrian focussed space that addresses community needs, provides an opportunity for greater community connection, and has the ability to host events and community activities.

Featuring the installation of additional formal and informal seating, and re-levelling of ground surfaces, the project enhances connection and walkability between spaces.

The upgrade, awarded a 2024 AILA WA Landscape Architecture Award for Urban Design, was delivered with support from RAC Reconnect WA, in response to an identified community need for additional spaces for people to sit, connect, and linger in the town centre, as well as engage with programming and commercial enterprise.

Click here to explore how the design responded to the history, and unique features of the site.

Project outcomes

Enhanced public seating opportunities
Enhanced alfresco dining opportunities
Renewed surface treatments, pavement and pathways
Improved levels and drainage
Conserved and retained treescapes
New softscapes including trees and underplanting
Improved amenity and accessibility
Lighting and electrical treatments
Spaces for events and community activities

Integrated Artwork

The upgrade included the preservation of the original Subiaco Centenary Tiles artwork, as well as new integrated artworks.

To commemorate the City of Subiaco’s centenary in 1996, children from four local schools worked with ceramic artist Jenny Dawson and Minang Wardandi Bibbulmun Ballardong Noongar artist Sandra Hill to create the Subiaco Centenary Tiles artwork.
This artwork comprising 100 tiles was installed with the assistance of community volunteers. The artwork celebrates the history of this area, telling a Noongar story and incorporating scenes from Subiaco contributed by participating children.

As part of the 2023 upgrade, artist Jenny Dawson recreated parts of the artwork that had been disrupted by the growth of the Eucalyptus grandis. Five aluminium panels showing selected tiles are inlaid within the new decking and paving which preserves the memory of the earlier work.

Two new artworks by artist Robert Frith, the arches at the eastern end of the space and the gates to the south, have been commissioned for the site to celebrate the important role the former Postmaster-General’s Office and its descendent organisations have played in keeping Subiaco connected to the world.

Featuring motifs of Post Office Boxes, personal mailboxes and important Subiaco landmarks, the artwork also features a large franking stamp depicting the date of the first meeting of the Subiaco Municipal Council.

Subiaco Centenary Tiles, 1996 artwork by Minang Wardandi Bibbulmun Ballardong Noongar artist, Sandra Hill, and ceramic artist Jenny Dawson.

Image of a section of artwork 'Preserving our Shared History', 2023 by Jenny Dawson.

Preserving our Shared History, 2023 artwork by Jenny Dawson.

Image of integrated artwork entitled 'Letter to Subi', 2023 by Robert Frith. Photograph punched onto Aluminium panels.

Integrated artwork entitled 'Letter to Subi', 2023 artwork by Robert Frith.

Project Status

Construction for the Postal Walk public realm upgrades is now complete, with the space formally launched on 31 August 2023.

We are so excited to welcome you to this new space. Please join us in supporting our local businesses by exploring the newly opened Postal Walk, and provide us your feedback on the upgrade by emailing place@subiaco.wa.gov.au so that we can take those learnings on to our future projects.

You can find an overview of project information here: Postal Walk Project Information and FAQs.

Please visit the Have Your Say page for more information on the project.