Council Accepts Design Review for James Street Precinct

Published on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 at 9:08:41 AM

Council endorsed the H+H Architects Design Review Report for the James Street Cultural Precinct Project (the Project) at yesterday’s Council Meeting, moving this significant Project another step closer to completion while making sure it remains financially responsible and achievable.

The Report combines updated architectural work, precinct planning detail and insights from stakeholder engagement, giving Council a clear picture of the Project’s progress, staging requirements, future opportunities, and where money can be saved.

Acting Shire President, Cr Jennifer Obourne, said the Report provides the confidence and clarity needed for Council to continue their support for the Project’s development.

“This design review shows where this project, which so many community members have contributed to, is at right now. It confirms the design concepts will work well, includes the results of stakeholder input, and makes sure we’re moving forward with good information. Most importantly, we’re focused on thoughtful decisions about both ratepayer funding and the government grant - choices that respect our community today and support its needs into the future.”

Cr Obourne continued, “We’ve explored what’s possible for this area side by side with our community since the first big conversations in 2020. This has been a shared journey every step of the way, and I’m delighted to present this design review. I know how excited our community is to see our new Library and Visitors Centre, both part of Stage 1a, take shape, and I’m right there with you.”

The Review highlights sustainability as a core design priority. H+H Architects included smart design features, such as the ability to include solar panels, making the Precinct use less energy from the beginning, cope better with Esperance’s climate, run more efficiently, and stay comfortable for people using it.

Making the space safe and easy for everyone to use was a key focus of the design review. Principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) have been applied at concept level, ensuring clear sightlines, strong passive surveillance, and layouts that reduce concealed or low visibility areas. Lighting strategies and the careful separation of service movements from pedestrian activity further enhance the safety and usability of the space. These elements will continue to be refined as the Project moves through detailed design.

External Services Director Roy Greive said the updated design places strong emphasis on creating a safe, welcoming and easy-to-navigate precinct for the community.

“The design really focuses on creating a precinct that feels safe, welcoming and easy for everyone to move through. From the start, we’ve used CPTED principles - improving sightlines, encouraging natural ‘eyes on the space’, and strengthening lighting in key pedestrian areas. These early decisions mean the precinct will feel comfortable and secure, day and night.”

Heritage is vital to the overall result. The design takes a conservation‑based approach, aiming to protect significant historical features of the precinct and avoid unnecessary changes. Any updates will support the long‑term use and functioning of the site while respecting its history

One of the elements addressed in the report is the future of the pond, a feature created in the mid 1970s when the old railway goods yard was transformed into the public area known today.

Cr Obourne said the change reflects both community sentiment and the future needs of the Precinct.

“While I’m personally sad to see the pond go, we also have to acknowledge that its upkeep and safety requirements have become increasingly challenging. The new Local Garden provides a way to honour the history of the area while creating a precinct that is more accessible, more practical, and better suited to future community use.”

The Design Review Report also includes an update on the future of the Goods Shed (Esperance Museum), which will be respectfully repurposed once Stage 2 of the new Museum, adjoining the new library facility, is completed. The adaptation of the former Customs and Goods Shed will bring together a mix of traditional and contemporary uses, including food and beverage offerings, cultural art museum space, museum storage and back‑of‑house functions, a makers’ space and digital creative facilities.

Importantly, the Goods Shed’s historic character will remain front and centre. The original gable roofline will stay visible, and view lines toward the water will be protected. Inside, parts of the original structure will be exposed so visitors can appreciate the building’s history. The new buildings planned around it will be designed so they don’t overshadow or overpower the Goods Shed.

There will also be improvements to accessibility. New openings will make the Goods Shed easier to enter, and the plan is to use transparent cladding to reveal original materials that tell the building's story. Any new openings will match the proportions of the original features, so the design remains respectful and consistent.

The Design incorporates outcomes from the Landscaping Report, confirming where mature trees will be kept and how new plantings will complement the Precinct. The building design has been adjusted to retain the two main Norfolk Pines, along with large Sheoaks at the corner of James Street and The Esplanade. These mature trees will continue to provide shade, identity and a sense of place, forming an important link between the existing landscape and the revitalised Precinct.

Recent stakeholder discussions led by H+H Architects have helped refine the design and validate shared priorities across community, operational and technical groups.

With Council’s acceptance of the Design Review Report, work will now move into detailed design, refined staging and further development of the public realm, shading, comfort and water‑sensitive landscape features. The Shire will continue to provide updates as the project advances.

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Council Accepts Design Review for James Street Precinct

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