Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Key Themes and Objectives for the Future of Wireless Hill Revision: Draft Issue Date: 23/04/2009 Document No: Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Page 1 4/30/2009
Table of Contents 1 Overview... 3 2 Background... 3 2.1 The Site Today 3 Creating the Vision... 4 3.1 Key Stakeholders 3.2 Consultation 3.2.1 Project Inception Workshops 3.2.2 Community Workshop 3.2.3 Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) Meetings 4 Vision... 5 5 Themes & Objectives... 5 5.1 Heritage 5.2 Access 5.4 Community Facilities 5.5 Long Term Viability 6 Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Summary... 6 Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Page 2 4/30/2009
1 Overview The purpose of this document is to provide a Vision for Wireless Hill. The Vision is intended as a framework to guide future direction and development at the Wireless Hill site for the following 12 years. A number of relevant planning documents, operational plans and reports exist but Wireless Hill lacked a consolidated and agreed holistic vision for the future. With recognised diversity of activities occurring at the site a shared vision will pull together themes and objectives to create a framework for the future. The Wireless Hill Vision is an all encompassing vision and objectives for the future of the site. 2 Background Wireless Hill Park is a 40 hectare, A Class Reserve located in the suburb of Ardross. It is bound by Canning Highway to the north and Davey Street to the south, McCallum Crescent to the east and Barnard Street to the west. It contains bush land for the purpose of public open space and recreation and is predominately surrounded by residential development. The Wireless Station was built in 1912 by the German Company Telefunken and Co and used in World War I and II. It was used to send medical advice to ships with no doctor, as well as communication with the Antarctic bases. The Station was officially decommissioned in 1967 and vested in City of Melville in August 1969 and named Wireless Hill Park in February of 1971. The Telecommunications Museum officially opened on October 14, 1979. All the buildings on the site are listed in the City of Melville Municipal Heritage Inventory, the State Heritage Register, and classified by the National Trust and on the Registry of the National Trust - this includes the staff quarters on Hickey Street. Wireless Hill is also listed on the Conservation Through Reserves System 6 Report (1983) and the Perth Bushplan. Wireless Hill is of significant importance not only locally but nationally. Pennant Hills in Sydney is the sister station to Wireless Hill and the only other of its kind in Australia. However as the Pennant Hills site has mostly been demolished, the Wireless Hill Park Station becomes even more historically significant. 2.1 The Site Today The Wireless Hill Park operates on several different levels, i.e. as a local park; a neighbourhood park; a regional park; and as a natural (although somewhat regenerated) bush land. The Park today needs restoration that reflects the studies that have been previously completed. Further information regarding areas of opportunity and restoration can be derived from the Community surveys that were conducted in 1995. As there is a large amount of information relating to park enhancement a consolidated summary of the studies has been completed. Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Page 3 4/30/2009
3 Creating the Vision To create the Vision for Wireless Hill, key stakeholders were identified and invited to participate in creating the Vision for Wireless Hill 2020. 3.1 Key Stakeholders Key project stakeholders included: City of Melville Councillors; City of Melville Staff; Local residents; Community and environmental interest groups: Wireless Hill Action Group; Friends of Wireless Hill; Tenants of Wireless Hill; Engineers Institute of WA; Schools; Special Needs and Information Advisory Group for Melville; MAP Group, Representatives from the Nyungar Community; Australian Museum of Motion Picture Technology; Volunteers; Western Australian Repeater Group; Wireless Institute; WA Repeater Group; Vintage Wireless Club; VHF Group of WA Users: Capital Community Radio; Morse Codians. State Government/ and Regional Agencies: Department of Environment and Conservation; Swan River Trust; Department of Indigenous Affairs; Department of Planning and Infrastructure; Fire and Emergency Services Association; Main Roads; WA Museums; Swan Catchment Council and Heritage Council of WA. Others as identified 3.2 Consultation 3.2.1 Project Inception Workshops Two project inception workshops were held. One workshop was held with City of Melville Officers to discuss any issues, opportunities and constraints relevant to the visioning project. A second Councillor workshop was held to identify Councillor priorities and expectations for this initiative. Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Page 4 4/30/2009
3.2.2 Community Workshop A three hour Community Workshop was conducted with invitations extended to project stakeholder groups and community and council members. The workshop was used to: understand the key considerations and community aspirations, outline the strategic objectives, gain initial input and identify any additional opportunities or issues, and develop a clear vision for the sustainable future of Wireless Hill. Interested stakeholders were invited to nominate for the yet to be created Stakeholder Reference Group. 3.2.3 Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) Meetings A Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) was recruited to represent the community and discuss issues and opportunities for the Vision. The group met on three occasions. 4 Vision Celebrate the history and natural heritage of Wireless Hill as a regional destination for learning and recreation built upon the equal value and uniqueness of: Its Aboriginal heritage and connection to the land; Its European heritage as a wireless communication site of world significance; and Its bio-diversity and ecology. 5 Themes & Objectives 5.1 Heritage Objectives Celebrate the Aboriginal and European heritage of the site with improved facilities and greater recognition of our collective heritage; Recognise and continue to develop the cultural heritage significance of the wireless communications system; Recognise and continue to develop the cultural heritage significance of Indigenous history; and Draw upon the hidden value of Wireless Hill as a site of great Aboriginal, European, Environmental and Wireless heritage for the benefit of the whole community. Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Page 5 4/30/2009
5.2 Access Objectives Provide responsible and safe community access with a strong focus on universal access for all modes of transport; Offer ready access through managed and controlled access for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other park users; Ensure responsible and safe community access; and Control access in evenings to prevent vandalism and anti-social behaviour. 5.3 Environment Objectives: Preserve and enhance the natural environment with a focus on restoration, rehabilitation and remediation of remnant bushland and protection of native fauna; Preserve and enhance the environmental values of the Park; Provide ongoing rehabilitation and enhancement of the natural environment; and Manage the park effectively with one authority responsible for all environmental aspects. 5.4 Community Facilities Objectives Create a place for people that offers diversity and appeal as a place of learning and recreation; Provide improved existing facilities for the local community and visitors to the Park; Enhance Wireless Hill s educational value with appropriate meeting and educational (Aboriginal and European heritage, bio-diversity) facilities; Improve the interpretive knowledge and educational value of Wireless Hill; Better integrate the activities of the user groups within Wireless Hill; and Maintain the social amenity of Wireless Hill in the long term as a regional recreational destination. 6.5 Long Term Viability Objectives: Draw upon commercial opportunities and external funding sources to ensure the viability of Wireless Hill in the long term; Implement clear and well co-ordinated management for the future; Seek commercial and other funding opportunities to offset the costs of Park management and maintenance. Maintain the social amenity of Wireless Hill in the long term as a regional destination of world significance; and Better integrate the activities of the user groups within Wireless Hill. 6 Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Summary The diagram below is a one page summary of the Vision Statement, key themes for the site and the key objectives. Wireless Hill Vision 2020 Page 6 4/30/2009
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