5.2.1 Introduction

The purpose of the community consultation program for the Masterplan study, was to ensure that the Masterplan for Edith Cowan University - Joondalup campus, reflected the needs and expectations of the students, employees, the local community and the City of Joondalup. A number of activities were organised to achieve these objectives. These included meetings with relevant government agencies and the Commissioners of the City of Joondalup, as well as a community workshop.

A summary of these activities and the key findings are given below.

5.2.2 Meeting with Government Agencies

i. Introduction

A meeting with relevant government agencies was held on Cox Howlett and Bailey Woodland on Monday 3 August 1998. Representatives from the following government agencies were invited:

• Department of Conservation and Land Management;

• Department of Transport;

• City of Joondalup;

• Main Roads WA;

• Landcorp;

• Fire and Rescue Services;

• Western Power;

• Alinta Gas; and

• Water and Rivers Commission.

The purpose of the meeting was to inform these agencies of the project and seek feedback on key issues or items of concern that should be investigated during the project.

ii. Summary of Outcomes

Each agency identified what their responsibility was and the key issues that needed to be considered in the Masterplanning process. These included:

• location of a railway station closer to the university, which the Department of Transport indicated was not planned;

• bus routes through campus. It was indicted that current planning does not provide for this, but it was possible and will depend on the demand from stakeholders. In addition, Kendrew Crescent is considered to be the basis for public transport access by the City of Joondalup;

• traffic control at Grand Boulevard and Joondalup Drive. It was indicted that the traffic requirements for Grand Boulevard should be reviewed, (especially if Edith Cowan University wished to develop up to the street frontage) including a review of street parking, a traffic policy, signals/roundabouts at the entrance statement and student/pedestrian access across Grand Boulevard;

• fauna corridors to the Lakeside Drive Bushland;

• the development policy for the City of Joondalup with regard to the intensity of development on Grand Boulevard; and

• proposed student numbers on the Joondalup campus.

5.2.3 Meeting with Commissioners

i. Introduction

A meeting was held with the City of Joondalup Commissioners on Monday 8 August 1998 at the City of Joondalup Council Chambers.

The purpose of the meeting was to identify key issues and community representatives who may wish to be involved in the study. The Commissioners were also invited to comment and provide input into the Masterplanning process.

ii. Summary of Outcomes

The Commissioners were supportive of the Masterplanning process and the concept of developing an interactive and highly visible urban campus, providing opportunities for interaction with the community at a variety of levels.

It was agreed that there are a number of areas where Edith Cowan University would like the City of Joondalup Commissioners to be involved. These included:

• providing for more interaction with the community, by identifying relevant community members;
• identifying potential joint opportunities for the campus and the City of Joondalup, including commercial opportunities eg. Performing Arts Centre;
• assisting in negotiations with Landcorp on land swap issues; and
• assisting with traffic issues with Kendrew Crescent and Grand Boulevard.

5.2.4 Community Workshop

i. Introduction

The community workshop for the Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus Masterplan was held on Tuesday, 3 September 1998 at Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus. Approximately 28 people attended the workshop, including some community representatives. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the review process for the Joondalup campus Masterplan and seek ideas and comments about the study for input into the Masterplanning process. A summary of the issues and ideas raised at the workshop are provided below.

ii. Summary of Key Issues

The workshop highlighted a number of areas which should be investigated closely and addressed during the Masterplanning process. These included traffic issues, public transport issues, the location of buildings, housing and pathways and the need for an entry statement into the University. The key issues are summarised below.

Key features that should be added/maintained on campus include:

• natural environment and landscaping;
• improved public transport - taxi rank, shuttle service to CBD
• direct pedestrian and cyclist access within the university and surrounding areas with appropriate signage;
• need for student housing to be consolidated on adjacent site;
• need venues for interaction with public eg purpose built conference centre;
• multi-storey car parking;
• rationalise disabled access;
• improve sporting facilities - pool and aquatic facility; and
• consider shared services, eg. IT, grounds, communication.

Key ways in which the community, Edith Cowan University and the City of Joondalup can interact include:

• General - it is important that the community feel comfortable about coming to the University, which can be achieved through greater interaction with upper and lower community schools and improved community knowledge of the campus.
• Access - improve access between the campus and City by a tram link, CAT bus, shuttle service. Improve pedestrian and vehicular access between the campus and the City. Improve carparking facilities for the community visiting the campus.
• Education - provide the community with education opportunities eg. provision of short term training courses/summer school, interaction with education department, public access to libraries, Internet access, bookshops, link sports, medical, health science and business facilities with the City of Joondalup. Encourage university involvement with community projects such as KAB, Men of Trees. Offer students an academic program which allows for integration with business, work experience and project opportunities and interchange of personnel.
• Recreation - open campus to community for leisure and recreation, develop a sports stadium, open campus for sports days for local schools and expand services offered at the sports and recreational facility. eg massage, physio.
• Business - encourage business presence on campus, community research centres/shared services. Develop a shop in the city centre with brochures and advice and a mobile exhibit for advertising. Develop symbiotic business relationships where businesses benefit from trade within the University and the University benefits from high profile business type.
• Social - consider developing a function/conference centre/training hotel/amphitheatre for performing arts/entertainment centre on campus for use by the community as well as university students.
• Environmental - links to Yellagonga National Park provide research opportunities and consider providing environmental tours/exhibits/bushwalks.
• Residential - vary the type of student accommodation and consider use by prospective/overseas students. Need to maintain a "quiet" area for the housing, but also need for "entertainment" collocation with housing.

ii. Conclusion

In summary, people were supportive of the main concepts surrounding the revision of the Masterplan for the Joondalup campus.

The workshop highlighted a number of areas which should be investigated closely and addressed during the Masterplanning process. These included traffic issues, transport issues, the location of buildings, housing and pathways and the need for an entry statement into the University. In addition, suggestions for additional facilities such as a conference centre and sports centre which could be used by other communities members and schools were supported by the majority of the attendees.

A range of other ideas and comments were also put forward and suggestions on the ways in which Edith Cowan University, the City and the community can interact indicated that people were supportive of the idea of making the campus more accessible, visible and interactive.

5.2.5 Conclusion

An important stage in the development of the Masterplan for Edith Cowan University Joondalup Campus is to ensure that stakeholders, students and employees as well as the local community have the opportunity to contribute to the Masterplanning phase. This ensures that key issues and concerns are addressed and that the needs and expectations of these groups are met.

The consultation process has identified a number of issues and features of the campus and potential opportunities for the campus that have been addressed in the Masterplan. It will be important to ensure that as the campus develops, the stakeholders, students and employees are kept fully informed of the developments through appropriate consultation techniques.