Reconnect WA seeks to help reimagine and revitalise streets and public spaces to...
create vibrant and active places for Western Australians to interact and reconnect with our cities and towns, and each other
inspire and empower residents and business communities to co-design and drive change in their local area
lay the foundations for longer-term changes to support safe, sustainable and connected communities
Reinvigorating Streets and Spaces Fund
We're excited to be partnering with local governments across Western Australia to roll-out community-based projects which will reinvigorate our local streets and spaces.
Pedestrian and cycling-friendly streets, pop-up plazas and community art are among the projects funded through the first stream of Reconnect WA - our $500,000 Reinvigorating Streets and Spaces Fund.
More than 1,700 RAC members from our member panel helped decide the successful projects by voting on a shortlisted selection of the 75 applications received.
Please find our first funding recipients below.
Future funding: The next Reconnect WA funding stream will be announced at a later date.
Launched projects
Colours of Mandurah Walkway
In partnership with the City of Mandurah, a path linking the Mandjar Square precinct and Mandurah Ocean Marina has been transformed into a rainbow walkway featuring 250 brightly coloured stripes. The community helped to select the colours, which each reflect a different story about Mandurah’s people, places and spaces.
The project aims to:
- Create a more vibrant space for the community
- Encourage more pedestrians to use the walkway
- Increase foot traffic in the area and support local businesses
Merredin Pilot Piazza Project
In partnership with the Shire of Merredin, Barrack Street in Merredin has been temporarily converted into a lively Public Piazza. The four-month trial will feature street art, innovative lighting, outdoor seating and dining, greenery and shading, play spaces for children and other event spaces.
The project aims to:
- Create an active, community space for locals to socialise and interact
- Increase foot traffic in the area and support local businesses
- Inform future improvements in the area
Coming soon to Perth
In partnership with the City of Cockburn, we are turning Healy Road in Hamilton Hill into a slower-speed, cycling-friendly corridor. Under the 12-month trial, temporary slow-points, road markings and painted intersections will be installed to create a safe cycling route connecting to key destinations like the beach.
The project aims to:
- Address community safety concerns about traffic volumes and speeds
- Change the street design to slow traffic and make it safe for cycling, as well as walking
- Inspire members of the local community to get involved in redesigning the street and trialling new ideas
In partnership with the City of Stirling, we are bringing an exciting pop-up plaza to the Nollamara Shopping Centre. The Gnalla Pop-up Plaza will feature market stalls, alfresco dining, food trucks and entertainment, providing a new community space for locals to socialise and interact.
The project aims to:
- Create a low-cost, vibrant space for the local community to come together and socialise
- Increase foot traffic in the area and support local businesses
- Test ideas with the community to inform future improvements in the area
In partnership with the City of Subiaco, we are creating a new 'urban oasis' for community use. The six-week project will temporarily convert a section of Churchill Avenue, by Rokeby Road, into a pop-up plaza and there will be a series of community activations.
The project aims to:
- Temporarily transform a section of road in the centre of Subiaco to create a new community space for activations
- Increase foot traffic in the area and support local businesses
- Test ideas with the community to inform future improvements in the area
Coming soon to regional WA
In partnership with the City of Busselton, we are converting Hannay Lane in Dunsborough into a one-way street. The 12-month trial will transform the laneway into a vibrant and safe space for people to enjoy, featuring increased space for pedestrians, street art, landscaping and furniture.
The project aims to:
- Create a more vibrant and active space for the community
- Increase foot traffic in the area and support local businesses
- Encourage the local community to get involved in designing and shaping their neighbourhood
In partnership with the City of Greater Geraldton, we are turning Chapman Road in Geraldton into a safer, more pedestrian-friendly street. The 12-month pilot project will widen footpaths, install bike lanes and parklets, and improve pedestrian crossings.
The project aims to:
- Narrow the road and encourage slower traffic speeds
- Improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and increase foot traffic to support local businesses
- Inform future improvements in the area
In partnership with the Shire of Northam, we are transforming the Northam Suspension Bridge and surrounding precinct. The project will feature innovative lighting, interactive art and interpretative stories.
The project aims to:
- Enhance safety
- Encourage more locals and visitors to use the bridge
- Improve this important connection to and from the centre of town
- Engage with the Ballardong Noongar community to help co-design the improvements to the bridge and the precinct
