A multipliCITY of opportunitiesÂ

TPG Town Planning, Urban Design & Heritage

This month’s newsletter doesn’t have any particular theme. This is partly because it reflects the state of the WA economy and therefore the wide variety of work that TPG is currently fortunate to be doing. Where once it was the boom economy of mining and resources and off the back of that major projects and land development, it is now very much a story of hundreds of different clients, all finding innovative ways to add value to their land and businesses. Whilst this may well be the 'new norm’, our clients are positive that there are still gains to be made, they just aren’t going to land in their lap!

Our government clients are also taking this breather in the economic cycle to work out what could be working better and prepare their portfolios for the return to stronger growth and in the interim at least know that what they have in place is working as well as it can. So in perusing the contents of this newsletter if there is something that catches your eye, we’d love to hear from you, as its our wide knowledge and networks that just may make the difference for your project.
Andrew Howe - Director, Urban Design and Placemaking

High Street to Why Street?

In several of our recent projects, whether they were local activity centre structure plans or placemaking strategies that involve ‘high streets’, the question that is being constantly asked by both the traders and the community is ‘why’ will people come here in the future, particularly given the trends in retailing.

With competition from the ever expanding (sub)regional shopping centres, the resurgence of the CBD and the internet, the raison d’être for the local high street is fast become obsolete. Where once they provided for the community’s needs, retailers now have to second guess their customer’s wants. In the past connections were made when people bumped into each other whilst shopping for these ‘needs’ where as now people are choosing to visit these locations as the destination for their pre-arranged social activity. Where once the produce was truly local, in recent decades it became truly global and to make it more interesting, consumers are heading back to wanting local, bespoke produce and services but at (or near) a global quality and price.

It would appear that the key to revitalisation and the longer term sustainability of these cornerstones of our neighbourhoods is agility. Read more.

First, Second and Third - Should Third be First?

The First Place, our homes, and as Australians we put a lot of emphasis on identity, status and culture surrounding these places. Homes are now being designed to be smart, adaptable and green as our cities grow and evolve. Homes are getting bigger, but also smaller as we struggle to find space in our ever-growing cities.

The Second Place, where we work is being re-considered, re-invented and re-shaped to encourage creativity, innovation, and collaboration. You just have to search Google, Pixar, Mindlab and Red Bull London to view cutting edge work places. Stop the press! Perhaps we don’t even need to travel to a dedicated workplace with technology and virtual applications getting better everyday.

The Third Space is therefore all other places other than work or home. Read more.

Skirting around Claremont PUBLIC 2016

A creative team from TPG got crafty over a weekend in April at #PUBLIC2016, a prototyping festival hosted by FORM where TPG's 'Palladian Skirt' was selected as one of 23 prototypes to line the streets of Claremont.

The Palladian Skirt was a unique platform for collaboration and watching something elegant form from the hands of many. The skirt is an oversized frame covered by a mesh and passers-by were encouraged to weave the various materials on offer through it to 'make the skirt', creating an eclectic and unique masterpiece that speaks to the fashion roots of Claremont.

Participants were invited to stand on an in-built platform to pose as if wearing the skirt and to then share the photos on social media via the #tpgpalladianskirt.

What a great weekend of inspiration, collaboration, interaction and just good old fun! Read more

Acknowledging our Legacy: Strengthening our Future

April 1 of this year, saw TPG embark on a "Whole of Company" Strategic Planning Day. As Chair of the Board I can honestly say that the experience was overwhelming when I consider the energy flow that was created by 40 committed individuals focussed on the future of the company.

It is also worthy of reflection that for several months prior to the planning day, all staff had been involved in reviewing the previous plan to confirm what had been done, what had worked, what still needed doing, where the direction needed to change as well as generating new ideas into the future. This information was then used to guide us on the day as to where we are broadly heading culturally, financially and professionally.

All in all a fantastic exercise, one that makes me extremely proud as a founder of the firm back in 1989.

David Caddy - Chairman of the Board

Rejuvenating the West End of Fremantle

TPG recently assisted the proprietors of the Hougomount Hotel in securing Development Approval for Stage 2 additions to the Hotel located at No's. 7-15 Bannister Street, Fremantle.

This DA represents an exciting final chapter in the redevelopment of the site, which commenced in 2012 and will see the construction of 48 new (85 total) boutique rooms in the West End conservation area of Fremantle.

Working with Matthew Crawford Architects, who carefully designed an exceptional new building, which embraces the character of the West End whilst being contemporary in form, and of its own time, we provided both heritage and planning services to ensure this worthy project got off the ground.

Walking in Wickepin

We are pleased to have assisted the Shire of Wickepin upgrade their heritage trail with a suite of strategies to encourage people to stop, linger and explore the Town. The Shire received funding through Lotterywest to first prepare a Walk Trails Master Plan, which sought to:

Improve legibility and enhance accessibility of the trails;
Provide better linkages between key attractors and facilities;
Enhance the amenity and experience of the trail;
Increase usage of the trails by locals and visitors; and
Elicit curiosity and raise awareness of the history and natural beauty of the town.

The first phase of the project has been implemented with the installation and unveiling of the heritage trail signs authored and designed by our Heritage and Urban Design teams. The signs, which have been designed to sit within the landscape provide snapshots of the history of the trail and gems found along it.

Susannah Penman – Senior Heritage Planner

Council votes to adopt Amendment No. 46 with changes

Our last newsletter highlighted a proposed planning scheme amendment (Amendment 46) that at the time was being advertised for public comment by the City of South Perth. Amendment 46 seeks to significantly alter the existing provisions relating to development within the South Perth Station Precinct Special Control Area.

This advertising period has now closed and at its meeting of 26 April 2016, the City of South Perth Council voted to adopt Amendment 46 with changes. It will now be sent to the Western Australian Planning Commission for final determination by the Minister for Planning. Read more.

Retail – The New Boom?

Being heavily involved in the retail sector in Western Australia and beyond, the team at TPG were very proud to sponsor the Property Council WA lunch ‘Retail to the Rescue’ at the Hyatt Hotel on the 18 March 2016.

Keynote speaker Tony Dimasi, Managing Director of Macroplan gave an insightful and detailed presentation on the current and projected future situation with the WA economy as well as emerging retail trends and WA retail developments. This was followed by a series of questions being directed to an expert retail panel comprising; Tony, Jim Tsagalis from Lease Equity, Scott Nugent from AMP Capital and Prue Cunningham from Stockland. Also on the panel was TPG's Murray Casselton, one of our principal planners who has been involved in many major retail centre developments in Perth, including the Perron Group and Lend Lease portfolio of retail assets. Read more.

Perth - Opportunity and Regeneration: As Perth attempts to shed its reputation for being nothing more than a mining city we explore the architecture, art and hospitality initiatives that are shaping this outpost. By Video Journalist - Pauline den Hartog Jager and Producer Gillian Dobias

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