Is it "...an exciting opportunity to help the town centre attract broader investment to grow into a vibrant precinct where people want to live, work and visit."?  [Metronet]

1. Public Space Design

PROS
• It provides a forecourt to the new train station entry
• It opens up an area that was previously less accessible

CONS
• The space is effectively an island surrounded by traffic on all sides. This separation may be a hindrance for pedestrians.
• The public space/bus interchange is very large. It is a similar size to Forrest Place in Perth CBD and will be difficult to activate an area of this size
• It does not relate or integrate to the Whatley Cres/King William core retail precinct and in essence turns its back on it.
• If the Morley Ellenbrook Line platform is built adjoining the existing Midland/FAL platform, the majority of the public space will be under two rail bridges creating challenges as to how this space will be comfortable, safe and inviting. Only a long awkward space remains outside.

OTHER
• It needs greenery and exemplary landscape design
• Who is responsible for activating the space? Being located on PTA land will this enable community groups to easily use the space for community events and activities?

2. Whatley Cres. - Beechboro Rd Connection

PROS
• More cars/drivers will be exposed to the shops in Whatley Cres, Bayswater
• It provides a more direct route (through way) for cars and buses to traverse both sides of the rail line and may reduce traffic congestion under the subway

CONS
• The previous rail barrier that divided the town centre, is now replaced with a road/traffic barrier. Everything, including the station will be separated by a main road for pedestrians to cross.
• Addressing car traffic concerns may be at the cost of creating a vibrant and active town centre. It exacerbates the problem that already exists… that Bayswater is a place to drive through not drive to.
• It may be a challenging environment for pedestrians to access the businesses in the Whatley/King William precinct. 
• It will impact the businesses on Whatley Cres (especially those near the Hamilton Street end), who will be disconnected from any road frontage. Additionally, they will face a 4 metre drop to the new road. Much ramping would be needed for mobility access between the two levels. 
• The road turns its back on the retail strip within 50m of the Whatley/King William corner and does not lead to any real short-term parking to encourage stopping at the retail outlets. 
• It removes the one safe pedestrian, low vehicle and short-term parking high street along Whatley Crescent East. (i.e. outside IGA; newsagent etc)
• Community engagement on the development of the station shelter design was extensive (surveys; drop ins etc), but far less community engagement was undertaken for the road designs, despite the roads having the most significant impact on the town centre.

3. Disconnection of Whatley Cres. at Hamilton St

PROS
• Supports the proposed connection of Whatley Crescent to Beechboro Road.
• Creates some public space at the Hamilton/Whatley junction

CONS
• Whatley Crescent East (Chemist to Police Station) is the heart of the shopping precinct in Bayswater. It is not without reason that the “essentials” shopping evolved to survive on this street away from the inaccessibility and car domination of King William St. The function of “parking and popping in” to the veggie shop, grocer, Post Office, baker, newsagent and chemist is the economic basis of this whole street. Cutting off Whatley Crescent access will change this function forever.
• It will be challenging for residents to access the town centre (other than those who live in the “Hamilton St precinct”). 
• Shopper parking is proposed at the Junction of Hamilton and Whatley but can only be accessed by Olfe St > Hamilton St, thus all shopper parking will be accessed via Olfe St.
• All Traffic from the “Hamilton St precinct” previously heading towards Perth via Whatley Cres will be directed down Hamilton (or Slade) and Olfe St.
• More local traffic may attempt to use Slade St or Anzac St to turn right onto Guildford Rd or left from Guildford Rd into the town centre shopper parking.
• Concern about increased traffic on some local streets using “rat runs” to get to Olfe Street
• Olfe Street is not currently designed for increased traffic and is already a very difficult location from which to turn right into King William Street, particularly at peak hours.
• Concern about the safety of turning right onto Guildford Road at Slade Street, as well as it being a circuitous route to access the town centre.
• Directs more traffic down King William Street, which already has large traffic volumes.
• The responsibility for the traffic management of Olfe at King William St and Slade St at Guildford road is unclear. Who designs, approves and pays for these intersections and roads?

4. Train Station and Bridge Design

These pros and cons relate solely to the design of the station shelter and bridge and do not include issues about the proposed road changes which have been dealt with above.

PROS
• There is excitement at the level of investment in the station and in Bayswater and the range of amenities to be provided in this new station 
• It replaces an old station that has very poor amenity, with the newest station in Perth
• The station could be a catalyst for revitalising the town centre. It responds to the feedback received from a large majority of respondents to Metronet’s survey on station design that sought a contemporary design
• It is unique and not a copy of other stations (i.e. unlike other stations in Perth)
• It is open, airy and lighter than traditional station designs which have been more bulky and imposing. The shelter is simple and sleek without domination. A lot of work has gone into both the column spacing of the bridge and the depth of the bridge supports ensuring a lightness of construction and architecture. 
• It provides two access points to the station – one on either side of King William Street
• It provides a better pedestrian connection to both sides of the town centre, under the bridge.
• The design and materials will tell a story of its time (2020), just as older buildings in the town centre tell a story of their time. That juxtaposition reinforces the uniqueness of each era.
• It raises the height of the underpass, creating a safer environment for vehicles

CONS
• It may result in the removal of a number significant trees in Whatley Crescent
• The station is now very closely located to Whatley Crescent, leaving limited space between it, the road and the shops facing it, which could be imposing
• It is much higher off the ground than the current station, with an extended rail bridge/s 
• It is above ground, when many in the community were supportive of sinking the station to create public space above it and address the issues caused by an above ground station (Future Bayswater campaigned for this, and received good support, except for one local group who opposed it. However it wasn’t supported by Metronet due to engineering and cost issues) 
• The station public open space is impacted by being surrounded by roads on all sides (i.e. it is located on an island).
• Some people will miss the trucks hitting the bridge, which has somewhat raised the profile of Bayswater!

 Is this proposal the best design for the Bayswater Town Centre.
What do you think?
Comment on Facebook here or email us at vision@futurebayswater.com

What actions have Future Bayswater taken ???
All the concerns listed above have been forwarded to the Metronet Team via email, and in a number of meetings.
To their credit, traffic calming on the new Whatley Cres - Beechboro Rd alignment was increased over time.
However our professional and community concerns regarding the design proposal remains.
Our focus is  for a quality outcome for this town centre and for you the community. 

*#FuBa also acknowledges the input from a number of our members, who have expertise in a range of disciplines including transport planning, town planning, architecture, engineering, place design, retail economics and much more.