Case Studies
Newman Town Square
Design Feature
Type of Project
Infrastructure, Local Government Intiative
State
Western Australia
Location
Regional
Newman Town Square was the final stage of works in the Newman revitalisation project, which was implemented between 2010 and 2017.
Building a strong community
Through a rigorous community consultation process and design workshops, the Design Team developed a strategy to create a town square that will help Newman to revitalise and grow into a recognised economic and social hub.
The Community Reference Group for the project envisaged the town square as a catalyst to move the town away from its existing mining identity. The aim was to create an enduring and diverse identity that recognised the cultural values of the community, along with the Pilbara lifestyle many community members enjoy. The site is co-located with the town shopping centre, a school, pool and other community facilities, making it a central destination for Newman community. The site was the final stage in early works to Newman Town Centre which included installation of shaded walkways to encourage walkability through the Town and to the Town Square.
The Community Reference Group for the project envisaged the town square as a catalyst to move the town away from its existing mining identity. The aim was to create an enduring and diverse identity that recognised the cultural values of the community, along with the Pilbara lifestyle many community members enjoy. The site is co-located with the town shopping centre, a school, pool and other community facilities, making it a central destination for Newman community. The site was the final stage in early works to Newman Town Centre which included installation of shaded walkways to encourage walkability through the Town and to the Town Square.
The requirement for a place-based design and implementation approach has been embedded in the planning and design objectives. For example, local artists were commissioned to bring inspiration to the project, and the park has been used to recognise local Aboriginal culture, both of which have reignited a sense of place and town pride.
The 2,600 square metre Town Square incorporates a shaded walkway and seating spine, and the shelter features interpretative artwork designed by the traditional owners, Nyiyaparli, and custodians of Jigalong, Martu. Other artworks on the site include the sculptural boulders and cloud rock. These tell the story of the Cloud Rock and provide tactile/interactive elements through water and lighting.
The site also features a large media screen and a stage, with audio visual capabilities to support community performances and events, strengthening opportunities for social connection and cultural engagement.
The park space is supported with a built form, containing a small business incubator, and a full commercial kitchen that caters for the different cooking styles of the local population. The commercial kitchen was requested by the community during consultation, to provide community led, healthy and culturally relevant food options for events. To specifically address this requirement, the kitchen includes a large grill that can be taken outdoors. The building also includes a mezzanine function space that is utilised for community events.
The space is regularly used for sporting and community events and has provided a welcoming green public open space on what was previously an uninviting carpark.
The park space is supported with a built form, containing a small business incubator, and a full commercial kitchen that caters for the different cooking styles of the local population. The commercial kitchen was requested by the community during consultation, to provide community led, healthy and culturally relevant food options for events. To specifically address this requirement, the kitchen includes a large grill that can be taken outdoors. The building also includes a mezzanine function space that is utilised for community events.
The space is regularly used for sporting and community events and has provided a welcoming green public open space on what was previously an uninviting carpark.
Project team
- UDLA landscape architects
- LandCorp
- Shire of East Pilbara
- Cameron Chisolm Nicol
- JDSI Engineers
- Ertech
- Lynette Wallworth, artist
- Traditional Owners
- Traditional Custodians
- Local Community
Project Cost
The State Government’s _Pilbara Cities_ initiative has funded the $40 Million revitalisation project.
Health Value
- The site can improve the mental and social health of the community as a meeting space, events space and town centre, developed on what was previously an uninviting carpark.
- The Town Square offers the community a space that reflects their local culture and is a source of pride and community ownership.
- The inclusion of a commercial kitchen allows the community to provide healthy and culturally relevant food options at events.
- The open space supports many active community events, such as yoga, dog walking, and family events such as twilight movies.
Economic value
- In addition to the improved amenities, the Town Square provides local and visiting businesses access to pop-up retail and office spaces in the business incubator which was designed to support and encourage Newman’s economic growth.
- The incubator provides short term opportunity for businesses and retail outlets to test bricks and mortar sales, or to provide specific services to the Newman community in a flexible manner.
Environmental Value
- The Town Square has included turf and large shade trees to provide cool respite.
Social value
- The Town Square aimed to provide spaces that support the community as a regional hub and showcase the cultural and lifestyle benefits the Newman Community have to offer, outside of the towns mining industry.
- The project team developed a Place Management Plan with the community and the Shire to ensure the ongoing sustainable use of the square as a community event space.
- The Town Square is utilised by all members of the community, from children playing in the water features, to groups using the screens for movie nights, to food trucks popping up in the centre. The variety of uses help create a welcoming social town square with activities for everyone to enjoy.
Use value
- The kitchen was designed to facilitate numerous cooking styles, supporting the multi-cultural community to provide healthy and culturally relevant catering.
- The inclusion of Aboriginal stories through the artworks is intended to celebrate the stories of the traditional owners Nyiyaparli, and custodians Martu. Through representation of this story, the community can celebrate its cultural heritage, encouraging a welcoming and inclusive space.
- The inclusion of the screen has allowed for a number of community events such as twilight movies and school hire to encourage all ages and family use of the space.
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