Joondalup’s City Centre, already recognised as a hub for cutting-edge innovation, technology, education and health industry clusters, is set to realise its potential as the heart of the north through dynamic new projects and activations aimed at building a vibrancy and fostering a strong sense of community.
The City of Joondalup’s City Centre Place Activation Plan ambitiously sets out to improve public spaces through development and deliver exciting activations in that stimulate the local economy.
This increased activation is set to enhance the unique, iconic identity throughout the City’s places and neighbourhoods and support future objectives for investment and collaboration.
City of Joondalup Chief Executive Officer, James Pearson, notes the City is committed to unlocking the potential of its City Centre to strengthen the WA economy and improve liveability in Perth’s northern corridor.
“Joondalup was originally built as a Masterplan City, with the intent of becoming a second CBD for WA,” Mr Pearson said.
“We are well on the way towards achieving this vision, making the City Centre a more accessible and welcoming business precinct that provides a fast-growing location for business, commercial operators, and Government agencies, surrounded by established infrastructure.
Artist impression of the future Joondalup City Centre
“The future Boas Place development is a great example of this. Our vision is to see the area transformed into a vibrant mix of commercial, retail, residential and public space located right in the heart of the City Centre.”
Mayor, Albert Jacob says the continual evolution and growth of the City, its places, and communities has brought with it increased interest and priority for liveability, community connection, and economic vibrancy.
“The development of the City Centre will further enhance the area’s local economic and employment base, increasing the vitality and vibrancy of Joondalup and attracting more people to the area for work, retail, business and residential purposes,” Mr Jacob said.
“We know that local job creation has a significant positive impact on the wider Perth metropolitan region and supports the State Government’s focus on promoting strategic employment opportunities to encourage people to work where they live.”
CEO James Pearson notes that activation is vital to transforming the City Centre.
“We are enhancing our civic spaces to support the growth and development of the Joondalup City Centre,” Mr Pearson said.
“We want our community places and spaces to be lively and engaging, with activations driven by residents and community groups and events for the enjoyment of the local community and visitors alike.”
One of those involved with activating the City Centre is Dawn Karen Hammond from the City’s local Town Team - Heartbeat Joondalup, which plays an important role in fostering community spirit and bringing vibrancy to the City Centre.
“I’ve lived in Joondalup for 34 years and have a special connection to the heart of the City. My father-in-law, Ivan Ivankovic, actually helped build 39 and 45 Central Walk in 1995 and I came to open one of those shops a few years ago to sell my mother’s beautiful clothes, after she had passed away.
“I’ve since met many residents eager to connect and contribute to revitalising Central Walk, which is what inspired me to become involved with Heartbeat Joondalup.”
Dawn has seen the City Centre begin to blossom, including through Heartbeat Joondalup’s UPTOPIA event and festoon lights placed along the Central Walk; as well as a mural art, community garden, and colourful benches added to the laneway leading from Central Walk to Davidson Terrace.
“I love working with the City of Joondalup to enhance community engagement and its Place Activation Plan is a great way to bring back the pulse to the very heart of the City and surrounding areas. We are very excited about the future for our community.”
In addition to the City’s national award-winning Joondalup Festival in March and the Joondalup Festival of Motoring in May, community members will be running events over the Christmas and summer with support from the City, including Christmas markets in Central Walk, City Centre Christmas lighting installations, and a range of local community events.
With so much growth, development and activation planned for the future, now is a great time for investors, partners and collaborators to become part of the transformation of the Joondalup City Centre.
Find out more at business@joondalup.wa.gov.au or visit joondalup.wa.gov.au/invest
