Council to consider Booyeembara Park plan

Fremantle Council will this week consider a new plan to guide the future development of popular Booyeembara Park.

The land that is now affectionately known as Boo Park was used as a limestone quarry during the 1800s and an unregulated landfill site from the 1960s through to the 1980s.

Its restoration into a beautiful public park began in 1992, with the original masterplan for the area adopted in 1999.

Fremantle Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said the significant changes happening in the areas immediately surrounding Boo Park made it a good time to revisit the plan.

“Booyeembara Park remains an undiscovered wonder for most people in Perth,” Cr Sullivan said.

“It was always the intent to create a truly magnificent regional destination that, in time, would be thought of as another Kings Park or Araluen.  

“Over the past two decades the City of Fremantle has slowly but surely been working with the Friends of Booyeembara Park and the local community to transform the area from a contaminated wasteland into the tranquil sanctuary it is today.

“With the new residential developments in White Gum Valley and the Knutsford Precinct, the changes to the golf course including the new club house and community facility, and the proposal for mountain bike trails in the park, it makes sense to review the plan to make sure it integrates these new uses and caters for the changing needs of the community.

“Along with the feedback received from past engagements, City staff have been working closely with the Booyeembara Park Reference Group on developing the new plan.

“The designs have evolved from the original masterplan and look to finalise unfinished areas of the park, meet current and future community needs and link everything together.

“Boo Park is really coming of age now, and the new plans aim to take the facilities on offer to the next level.” 

The new Booyeembara Park Landscape Plan will be considered by Fremantle Council at a meeting on Wednesday.

The plan proposes to upgrade the olive grove to create an event space with improved paths, seating and tables, as well as provide an area where the operator of the golf course could establish a mini-golf course.

The family and youth area are proposed to be upgraded, with a new destination playground connected to the community facility and café, a half-court basketball court near the skate park and increased picnic areas.

Improvements to the natural areas include refurbishing the storytelling circle, completing the ephemeral wetland including a new boardwalk, and formalising a walk trail to a lookout at the top of the hill to take in the spectacular views.

The plan also includes modifications to the amphitheatre to make it safe to use again, while mountain bike trails and a pump track, a six seasons garden and new off-street parking area would be established on the eastern edge of the park.

The first stage of works under the plan would be funded through a $404,075 cash in lieu payment the City of Fremantle received from Development WA as a condition of the subdivision of land in the neighbouring Knutsford precinct.

The officer's recommendation to be considered by the council on Wednesday is to adopt the Landscape Plan and progress to detailed design, tender and construction of stage 1, with priority given to the integration of the clubhouse and community facility into the park and the upgrade of the olive grove, followed by the storytelling circle and half-court basketball court.