Withers Urban RenewalCommunity Feedback Session

Stakeholder Engagement Findings

1 November 2012

Forum Audience ParticipantsCommunity Workshop General community representatives 45 residents

Withers Action Group Workshop Withers Action Group 32 residents

Indigenous Representatives Goomburrup Aboriginal CorporationIndigenous Survey

15

Young people (Newton Moore HS) 2 x Year 10 English Classes 60

Gov’t and NGO service providers Housing, aged care, young people and family support services

9

One to one meetings: DoH, local businesses, WA Police

Government agencies and local businesses

6

Community Survey General community representatives 287 survey responses received:• 104 on-line• 86 hard copy• 92 street surveys• 5 indigenous surveys

Naming poll General community representatives 110

Anon. comments box General community representatives 34

Engagement Response

What is your greatest wish for the future of Withers?

The most common responses were in relation to:

• Safety and security

• Cleanliness, maintenance and general amenity

• Lighting in public places

• Things to do – activities for young people, quality play spaces, festivals and events

• Upgrading the Minninup Forum Shopping Centre

What is your greatest wish for the future of Withers?

Withers – Rating as a Suburb

• 59.1% of people are unlikely / would definitely not recommend Withers to their friends and/or family.

• Key Reasons for Poor Rating:

– Lack of presentation / amenity

– Proportion of public housing

– Crime / anti social behaviour

– Lack of investment in the area

5%

17%

35%

30%

12%

1%

How do you rate Withers as a suburb overall?

Excellent

Good

Average

Poor

Very Poor

Unsure

What do you dislike about living in Withers?

The most common responses were in relation to:

• Crime, safety and anti-social behaviour

• Poor presentation, amenity and maintenance of streets, footpaths, parks, houses, businesses

• Poor perception / reputation.

What do you dislike about living in Withers?

What do you like about living in Withers?

The most common responses were inrelation to:

• Proximity to beach, parks, town

• Proximity to shops, schools, recreation centres

• Affordability

What do you like about living in Withers?

Simple things to improve Withers

• Improve presentation of streets, houses, parks / open spaces

• Introduce amenities into parks such as BBQ’s, toilets, play equipment, shade

• More community events / amenities

• Upgrade Minninup Forum

• Market the growth potential and strengths of the area

• Revitalise public housing

Frequented Public Places

• Minninup Forum shopping centre is heavily utilised

• Hay Park, Maidens Reserve and the Withers Library are popular

33%

17%

5%

18%

14%

2% 3% 1%7%

What public spaces do you visit most frequently?

Minninup ForumShopping CentreHay Park

Hudson RoadFamily CentreMaidens Reserve

Withers Library

Moriarty Park

PCYC

Guile Fawy Reserve

Des Ugle Park

Parks and Open Spaces

Parks and open spaces in Withers are most commonly used for:

• Exercising pets

• Exercising and fitness

• Family activities

• Picnics, BBQ’s and informal sport

23%

27%6%

9%

9%

14%

12%

Parks and Open Spaces -Uses and Activities

Exercising pets

Exercising / fitness

Reading / relaxing

Picnics / BBQ's

Informal sport

Priority Ranking

Ranking Service Priority Ranking

1 Safety and security 7.04

2 Cleanliness and attractiveness 6.66

3 Presentation and maintenance 6.42

4 Family friendly 5.92

5 Community spirit 5.67

6 Public amenities (i.e. seating, shade and BBQ’s) 4.72

7 Footpaths and bike paths 3.53

8 Parks and gardens 3.41

9 Range and quality of local shops 3.21

10 Fun, alive and vibrant 2.49

Key Issues

Safety• Perception versus reality

• Reporting

• Laneways and public space

• Lighting

• Combat boredom“It feels like everyone is

scared all the time –young people are

scared of older people and older people are

scared of young people”

Key Issues

Housing• Product quality and mix

• Presentation and maintenance

• Owners / tenants

• Supply / demand

Presentation / Amenity

• Poor presentation• Public domain / Open spaces• Some private, public and rental housing

• Low standard maintenance

• Low level of amenity within public spaces

Key Issues

Key Issues

Access / Connections

• Public transport

• Footpaths & streets

• Wider Bunbury

Key Issues

Community Facilities /Social Infrastructure

• Perception around availability

• Youth / young people

• Aged care

• Mental health

• Drugs & alcohol

Key Issues

Civil Infrastructure

• Underground power

• Deep water sewerage

• Fibre optic / phone / internet

• Drainage and plumbing

“The drainage is so poor our houses and parks flood easily”

“Why would anyone want to develop here when the services

are so bad? You can barely even get mobile phone coverage

in the area”

Key Issues

Revitalising the Economy

• Perception

• Low employment / participation

• Barriers

• Investment cycle“There are a lot of

tradespeople in Withers, it would be

good develop a programme to share

our skills”

Key Issues

Governance & Place Management

• Community ownership and spirit

• Place management

• Aligning resources and services

• Establishing a Safer Community• Enhancing the Perception of Withers• Diversified and Improved Housing Opportunites• Building on Community Pride• Enjoyable, Safe and Attractive Parks and Places• An Integrated Approach to Planning and Urban

Design• Civil Infrastructure• Safe, Intuitive and Functional Movement

Networks• Better Access to Public Transport• Community Facilities and Social Infrastructure• Revitalizing the Economy• Governance - A New Perspective on Delivery

22

Action Planning

Thank you!