City councillors have voted to make several changes at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre including replacing its water feature and installing a lift.
Mandurah councillors passed the vote on block at their March 27 meeting, with unanimous support shown from around the table.
In reports presented to councillors at their March 13 meeting, City of Mandurah’s works and services director, Allan Claydon outlined the feature and accessibility of the centre as an issue.
When constructed in 1997, the centre’s design made provision for the future installation of a lift from the foyer lobby to the mezzanine level.
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After a recent tender process, Kone Elevators Pty Ltd was identified as the preferred business to take on the lift installment due to their “overall value for money”.
The water feature in question wraps around the centre and was installed when the iconic building was constructed.
The push to change the feature was recommended in a 2014 report on Mandjar Square’s redevelopment.
Three options were put forward to councillors, including retaining the feature as it is, reducing its size or decommissioning and replacing it.
Mr Claydon’s report recommended that councillors should endorse option three, which was to decommission and replace the feature.
His advise came after the options were presented to the MPAC board on December 11.
Board members voted that the third option was the most desirable.
If the option is voted in, the public may eventually see a grove of white slim-trunked paperbark trees with up-lighting in its place.
The capital cost of the new installation is estimated at $150,000 and the recurring cost of the feature is tipped at $4000 per year.
The options decided on by councillors will retain and renovate the artworks by Golden Bay artist Gary Aitken.
Prior to the vote, mayor Rhys Williams declared an impartiality interest because of his chairman position of the centre’s board, but stated he would stay in the chamber to vote on the issue.
For more information visit the City of Mandurah’s website.
