A new Morley Library is one step closer following Bayswater Council’s decision to allocate $150,000 to develop a concept plan for the redevelopment of Les Hansman Community Centre.
Acting Mayor Elli Petersen-Pik said Morley has the potential to be one of the most significant strategic centres outside the Perth CBD.
“The City’s vision for the Morley Activity Centre is for it to grow into a bustling shopping and business centre that serves the north-eastern metropolitan region of Perth,” he said.
“The City’s decision in 2021 to purchase the land adjacent to Les Hansman Community Centre from the Department of Communities highlights the strategic significance of the site and demonstrates Council’s own investment in the future of the Morley Town Centre.
“Given the site’s location, right in the centre of Morley, I am confident its redevelopment will act as a catalyst for growth and future investment in the area.
“The concept plan will investigate options for the redevelopment of the whole site with a new public library for Morley and other options such as a youth hub, medical centre and residential apartments.
“We are interested in meeting with investors who may be keen to partner with us on the redevelopment of Les Hansman Community Centre.”
The concept plan will provide further detail about what is possible on the site and represents the City’s ongoing commitment to the project.
As part of its 2024/25 Budget, Council set aside $1 million in reserve for seed funding for the development of a new Morley Library. The concept plan will be funded from this reserve.
The redevelopment of Les Hansman Community Centre is one of five advocacy priorities identified by Council ahead of the upcoming State and Federal elections.
“The redevelopment of Les Hansman Community Centre is a key advocacy priority for the City.
“In a bid to secure funding from the State Government, the City has met with the member for Morley, the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA, along with pre-selected candidates from both sides of government.
“We are also seeking support from the Federal Government as we work hard to deliver key infrastructure in the Morley Activity Centre on behalf of our community.
“The redevelopment of this site is a win win. It will deliver the community a new library and could assist the State and Federal Governments in addressing the current housing shortage.
“With generous height provisions including no height limits at its core, a development in Morley has huge potential.”
Located at 240 Walter Road West, the Les Hansman Community Centre site is 100 metres from Coventry Village and a two-minute walk to Morley Galleria Shopping Centre, one of Perth’s largest shopping centres.
“In purchasing the land adjacent to Les Hansman Community Centre and advocating for State and Federal Government funding to redevelop it, the City has demonstrated its commitment to Morley. It is now time for Vicinity, the owners of the Galleria, to do the same and push ahead with their planned $150 million upgrade of the centre.”
Pictured: Acting Mayor Elli Petersen-Pik with City of Bayswater CEO Jeremy Edwards outside Les Hansman Community Centre.