Published on Wednesday, 5 May 2021 at 3:00:00 PM
The Shire of Pingelly is inviting residents to comment on the first stage of the Town Hall Concept Plan, following an initial period of community engagement and concept development. In September 2020, Council considered the future use of the Pingelly Town Hall following a number of community workshops. The final report from these workshops outlined three options for the Town Hall, being:
- Undertake community based historical projects to capture and display the Town’s diverse history on the wall spaces and potentially the stage area, utilising photos, physical displays and audio-visual displays. Ensure that these displays are regularly rotated to provide variety and ongoing dialogue for residents, visitors and tourists. Likely initial displays are War Portraits, selected historical records, aboriginal culture/history and an agricultural display.
- A flexible space in the central hall component focused on rotations of art / craft workshops, additional historical displays, community pop up markets and stalls, tourism events and potentially the ANZAC day service.
- Incorporate a Tourism / Visitors Centre at the front of the Hall in a converted kitchen space.
The multi-purpose use of the Pingelly Town Hall was approved by Council in accordance with the community led direction, and subsequently, a Town Hall Reference Group (THRG) was formed, with representation from the Pingelly Tourism Group, Museum Group, Arts and Craft Group, Council and general community.
The initial role of the Reference Group was to develop a Concept Plan for the Pingelly Town Hall that allowed the space to be utilised in a way that incorporated all of the three uses identified by the community. Architects from the Office of Regional Architecture assisted the THRG to develop a concept that reflected the community aspirations outlined during the extensive consultation undertaken in 2020/21.
Stage 1 of this project proposes the creation of a visitors area, which will be the go-to place for tourists and visitors to the town in order to help them make the most of their stay. This stage involves opening the front section of the Hall by combining the current kitchen area and foyer, to create a large usable open space. Specific items included in the first stage include:
- Removal of the non-structural wall between the entry hall and the kitchen to create an open plan visitor space.
- Remove and replace flooring in the new visitor space.
- Install fitout to new visitor space, including display shelving.
- Improve access to the main Hall entry.
- Air-conditioning within the new visitor space.
- Removal of kitchen equipment and fitout within current kitchen space.
- Prepare, patch and paint walls and ceilings.
- Install doors on the entry to the existing toilet facilities.
The Town Hall Reference Group members (L to R):
Elizabeth Trump, Jeanette Jeffries, Bronwyn Parker, Jo Booth, Tracey Watts, Julie Burton, Merv Beard, Bill Mulroney. The Group has met regularly since January 2021 to work through the ideas from the community consultation period and transform them into a workable concept.
A vacancy remains on the Group for an Aboriginal Community Representative. Please contact the Shire for further details.
Town Hall Concept Plan: Have Your Say
The project is considered an important aspect of growing Pingelly’s attraction as a tourist destination. A lack of easily accessible information and amenities are a tourism inhibitor, and this directly impacts the capacity to grow the tourism industry. The plan is intended to boost tourism, support the Council’s aspiration around job creation, assist with growth in the local economy, as well as utilise the historic building for an active and vibrant purpose.
The initial focus is on Stage 1, as it represents an achievable outcome over the short to medium term. It is anticipated that the ultimate concept plan will only be enacted once Stage 1 is functioning to its full capacity, and there is a further need to expand the spaces within the existing Hall. At this time, further community consultation will occur.
The Shire is currently seeking your input on the first Stage of this development. The engagement period is now open, and will close on 21 May 2021.
Written submissions on the Concept Plan—Stage 1 can be:
- Emailed to admin@pingelly.wa.gov.au
- Posted to the Shire of Pingelly, 17 Queen Street, Pingelly 6308
- Hand delivered to the Shire Administration at 17 Queen Street Pingelly.
For further enquires in relation to this project, please contact Julie Burton, Chief Executive Officer on 9887 1066, or via email julie.burton@pingelly.wa.gov.au .
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