Harvey Shire faces backlash as Australind and Harvey community precinct plans are labelled ‘extravagant’

Two of the Shire of Harvey’s most populated towns have laid claim to impending community precincts, but not all are sold on the projects, with one local MP labelling the plans as too “extravagant”. The Harvey Shire Council’s master plan for the Australind precinct focused on the need for new amenities and administration buildings and gave Australind residents three potential locations — creating a “town centre” in Treendale, using the Leschenault Leisure Centre or repurposing the existing administration building. Harvey’s town precinct is earmarked within the boundaries of Gibb, Young and Becher streets and Uduc Road and is set to host an array of new buildings as well as repurpose existing facilities. Master plans for the two community hubs are currently out for public consultation, but some residents are worried the projects are too heavily focused on council facilities. Harvey’s precinct will give shire councillors new chambers — which include a public gallery, open plan offices, and a councillor dining, bar and lounge area — as well as new administration buildings and facilities. The plan also makes use of existing heritage buildings such as the town hall, adapting them to incorporate an arts, culture and tourism centre, community events space and new community resource centre. Harvey resident and coordinator of the town’s youth space Janine Quicke said she was disappointed with the master plan’s focus on shire buildings rather than community amenities. “The draft precinct plans should be renamed the ‘Shire of Harvey office and administration precinct’ and not marketed at the community as a community precinct,” she said. Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke said she was concerned about the duplication of shire offices in Harvey and Australind and said it was not justified as council met twice a month. “I haven’t found anyone that is actually supportive of it, there are parts of it that people are supporting but I think the biggest concern is the duplication of the shire offices and the chambers,” she said. Shire president Paul Gillett said the precincts would deliver a range of benefits and the community would be involved at every stage. A shire spokesperson said they had received predominantly positive feedback from those who have taken part in the consultation and are asking residents to share their concerns at their pop up community consultations. The spokesperson said the master plan was a dynamic long-term planning document.