Stirling hires GHD for A$18.5m Scarborough-Trigg boardwalk design

Mayor Mark Irwin told Perth radio on Tuesday that hiring GHD is not a promise to build. He said “If it doesn’t stack up on its merits, it won’t be built, it’ll be that simple”.

The boardwalk would run between Trigg’s southernmost car park and Scarborough’s northernmost car park, giving walkers a dedicated coastal route between the two beaches. PerthNow describes it as an 850m boardwalk. Early concepts include a shade shelter inspired by a whale tail and six interpretive nodes with cultural displays tied to the six Noongar seasons.

The numbers

The City puts the project at A$18.5 million. PerthNow reports a council-commissioned economic impact statement suggested the cost could climb to almost A$25 million, while city officials think it could return an economic benefit of A$100 million over 30 years.

This phase covers only 15 per cent of the design. It should take several months and wrap up by 30 June.

Almost 2500 submissions came in during last year’s consultation. About 70 per cent backed the project and 30 per cent objected. Supporters pointed to pedestrian safety, accessibility and tourism. Opponents worried about coastal erosion and the cost to ratepayers.

What’s next

GHD will weigh the feedback, refine the concept, update cost estimates and test how the boardwalk could be built. It will also draw on earlier environmental work, including a flora, vegetation and fauna survey of South Trigg Beach Reserve carried out last spring.

PerthNow reports councillors approved this phase at the City’s November meeting last year. The City would look beyond the 15 per cent design stage only if outside funding is secured, so a construction decision is not on the table.

Councillor Rob Paparde revived the current concept in December 2023, asking for it to go to an elected members workshop. The workshop took place a few months later and led to the investigations and consultation now reported.

See also: Scarborough tower height coverage.

Source: PerthNow, Western Suburbs Weekly.