Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan – FAQs
The Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan aims to rejuvenate Albany’s Waterfront, transforming it into a vibrant hub for community and economic activity.
What is a master plan?
A master plan is a comprehensive framework guiding long-term development and management of an area or project. It provides a strategic vision and roadmap to achieve specific goals and objectives, with a focus on ensuring clear direction, efficient use of resources, and coordination of all relevant stakeholders. A master plan helps making informed decisions and maintaining consistency over time.
What area are you referring to as the ‘Albany waterfront’?
In the case of the Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan, the Albany waterfront stretches from the Southern Ports Authority’s Port of Albany in the east, to the Albany Wool Stores in the west. The area includes the Port of Albany, Albany Marina, Albany Entertainment Centre, Museum of the Great Southern, the Anzac Peace Park, hospitality venues, development sites, and sites of cultural significance.
Why is the Master Plan being developed?
The Albany waterfront has significant, untapped potential to become a hub for community, economic activity, and growth. The Master Plan is being developed to help unlock the potential of this valuable part of Albany, and create an informed roadmap for future developments, focussing on the needs of the community, businesses, industry and the broader region.
What is the main objective of the Master Plan?
The Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan aims to rejuvenate Albany’s Waterfront, transforming it into a vibrant hub for community and economic activity. This plan focuses on integrating key areas such as Albany Port, Albany Marina, Albany Entertainment Centre, and the Museum of the Great Southern. By leveraging Albany’s rich historical and cultural assets, the plan seeks to honour the deep historical roots of the Menang Noongar people, and European developments since 1826. Ultimately, the Plan aims to create a dynamic space that encourages private investment and supports sustainable growth while preserving what makes Albany unique.
What does the Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan project process look like?
Stakeholder, cultural and public consultation informs each stage of the process, assisting in idea creation, feedback, and identifying risks and essential elements. This, alongside baseline data that is collected in Stage 1, and vision work in Stage 2A, informs the design and drafting of the Master Plan in Stage 2B. The below graphic gives an overview of the Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan process.
Who is creating the Master Plan?
The Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan is a collaborative project being led by the GSDC. The Plan is being created with a broad range of stakeholders and community to ensure what is produced represents a shared vision for the Albany waterfront future. Our role in the Great Southern is to coordinate activities that promote regional economic development, focusing on the economy, liveability, climate resilience, and Aboriginal empowerment and prosperity. Given this function, the Commission is ideally positioned to lead this project.
Who will be responsible for future developments arising from the Master Plan?
The Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan is a collaborative project being led by the GSDC building from the Southern Ports Authority’s Albany Port Master Plan. Future developments in the area either identified by the Master Plan or arising independently, will be managed by the City of Albany or relevant state government agency. Proposed future developments will be communicated to the public by the relevant body.
How will the Master Plan benefit the community?
The Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan is being produced to represent the vision of ALL stakeholders. This means the Master Plan will result from feedback from a broad range of stakeholders and a cross-section of the community.
The Master Plan will propose future development ideas that have been put forward by and for, the community. What this looks like will become clear as the project progresses, but could include enhancements to recreation spaces, infrastructure, increased connectivity with the waterfront area, and a greater diversity of businesses and activities.
How will the Master Plan help grow the economy?
Attracting investment and promoting economic diversity and growth are key objectives of the Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan. The Master Plan itself will help grow the economy by identifying opportunities for investment, proposing improvements to the tourism offering of Albany, and ensuring key sites of economic activity such as the Albany Port are benefitted.
Has sustainability and cultural heritage preservation been considered?
Yes, both environmental sustainability and preservation of cultural heritage are important guiding principles in the project. Local environment and cultural heritage experts and community representatives are being consulted as a part of the project. This will ensure the environment and culture is protected, and enhanced.
How will the Master Plan impact businesses and residents in the area?
The Master Plan is a shared vision for the Albany waterfront. The Master Plan itself does not make any physical changes to the area; it proposes future plans. As a business or resident in the area, you can be involved in the Master Planning process. We encourage you to be involved in the consultation process so you have a say on what could happen in the future. Your voice as someone as a member of the Albany community is valuable.
When can I expect to see development in the waterfront area?
The Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan is a preliminary exercise in determining what developments could occur in the area. Development in the area is dependent on the local or state government body, or organisation taking carriage of any of the development projects identified by the plan.
Where can I find more information about the Master Plan?
We keep the Albany 2050 Waterfront Master Plan page of our website up to date with new developments. This is the best place to get the information you need. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or subscribe to our newsletter.
Who can I speak to if I have any concerns about this project?
A local team of GSDC staff are working on this project. You can reach the team at [email protected].
