McCallum Park Active Area

Project Type: Projects

Located on the picturesque Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) along the suburban edge of Victoria Park, McCallum Park is the gateway connecting the Town of Victoria Park and the cities of Perth and South Perth, with the Perth CBD skyline providing a stunning backdrop to the popular parkland.  

Its spectacular and desirable location makes it the perfect place for works planned as part of the Town’s Taylor Reserve and McCallum Park Masterplan. Currently in its second stage, The Masterplan will soon see a portion of the riverfront park transformed into a modern recreation destination with a range of sporting facilities, spaces to meet and areas to host community events. 

Key improvements as part of Stage 2 include:

  • Revitalised basketball courts featuring large-scale artworks.
  • A BMX pump track
  • New competition-ready skate and scooter facilities, including a flow bowl and large skateable plaza
  • Spectator areas
  • Community gathering spaces with built-in barbecues
  • General landscaping upgrades.

With the State Government’s Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges further set to activate the parkland’s proximity to key urban centres and encourage active use of the park, there’s a lot to look forward to along this key riverfront zone.  

The McCallum Park Active Area works are funded by major Sponsors:

  • The Commonwealth through its Investing in our Communities program - $2.5 million
  • The State Government through the Department of Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund - $926,653

The current concept design for the project.

In accordance with the Council's resolution and the allocation of funding within the 2020-2021 Annual Budget, the Town is nearing completion of the detailed design phase for the McCallum Park Active Area project.

This design phase has been refined to prioritise expansive soft landscaping, while streamlining the integration of hard infrastructure. Key features such as the Basketball, Skate, and BMX areas remain true to the original endorsed plan.

Construction is due to begin by October 2024, pending final approvals, and has been strategically aligned with the completion of the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge, a significant project undertaken by Main Roads, slated for conclusion in late 2024.

It is with great enthusiasm that we embark on the realisation of this dynamic project, which not only enhances our local community but also complements major State Government initiatives.

Community notice - Limestone stockpile at McCallum Park

As construction continues for the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges Project, landscaping is underway for the work site to become public open space at the end of 2024.

Excess limestone imported to provide temporary roads, laydown areas and solid ground for the cranes to sit on (crane pads) during the early stages of the project, is being stockpiled and donated to the Town to reuse as part of the Active Area Project, courtesy of Mainroads WA.

The materials, valued at over $200,000, will reduce heavy vehicle traffic on local roads and expedite site work within the project schedule, in line with the Town’s commitment to sustainability and cost efficiency.

  • Trucking activity to move the limestone within the park will be stop-start over several months, between the standard work hours of 7am and 7pm.
  • Access to footpaths will not be affected.
  • This work has received relevant approvals and tree protection zones are in place.
  • The stockpile will remain until approximately October 2024, when it will be used to form the new skate plaza and BMX pump track.

Further information

For further details you can view the Mainroads WA announcement here.

More information about this Causeway Bridge project, visit the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge webpage.

  • In 2015, the Town developed a Foreshore Access and Management Plan to ensure a consistent approach is taken when developing areas of foreshore within the Town.
  • In 2017, the Town created the Taylor Reserve and McCallum Park Masterplan to plan future development of the key riverside parklands.
  • Stage 1 of the masterplan involved critical river wall works near Taylor Street and was delivered in 2019.
  • Stage 2 of the masterplan is the current phase and aims to deliver new recreation areas to create the McCallum Park Active Area.
  • The concept design for the active area was developed in 2019 in collaboration with the community and local skate organisations, and was finalised in 2020.
  • Since 2020, the Town has been working on the detailed design of the active area and advocating for external funding to deliver the project.
  • In 2023, the Town successfully secured $2.5 million in funding from the Commonwealth Government for the McCallum Park Active Area.
  • In March 2024, the Town successfully secured $926,653 in funding for the McCallum Park Active Area from the State Government’s Department of Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

In May 2024, Council endorsed a potential add-on to the project to include a junior scooter track. The junior scooter track is not currently funded and can be delivered at any time (subject to additional budget) without compromising any of the other Active Area works.

Why did the Town develop a master plan for Taylor Reserve and McCallum Park?
In 2017, Save the Children undertook a youth consultation on behalf of the Town. The youth engagement report identified the need for safe spaces where youth and families can gather, particularly after school and on weekends to participate in meaningful activities to improve their health and wellbeing, and to foster a sense of belonging and connection to the community.

Following the 2017 study and the 2015 Foreshore Access Management Plan, which developed a framework for the consistent management of the Swan River foreshore, the Town commissioned the Taylor Reserve and McCallum Park Concept Report, which provides a master plan for a range of new spaces along the foreshore. The design provides a variety of exciting new high-quality passive and active recreation spaces throughout the park, creating a destination for local, state, national and international visitors.

When will works begin on the McCallum Park Active Area

Works are scheduled to begin in October 2024 and be completed in early 2025.

Is the Master Plan set in stone?

The masterplan is set for review later in the 2024/25 financial year.

Will the existing basketball courts and skate infrastructure be closed during construction?
Yes, existing facilities will have to be closed to the community in order to carry out works. You can find a list of the Town’s alternative basketball courts and skate parks here.

Please email mccallumpark@vicpark.wa.gov.au with your query, accompanied by your name. Alternatively, you can call the Town on 9311 8111.

 

Resources

McCallum Park Active Area - community consultation concept design report

Taylor Reserve and McCallum Park Masterplan

Foreshore Access and Management Plan

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