Supporting local radio and all the latest on a major shopping centre development

After recently opening the first section of its new-look Fashion Loop, the $800 million Karrinyup Shopping Centre development continues to make ground with major works set to go ahead in early 2020. Upcoming works include creating additional basement car parking at the north-east section of the site, and moving ahead with construction of the double-level Fashion Loop. The Fashion Loop is set to open in full in late 2020 with about 130 specialty stores, including new food options. The overall development will include around 290 stores upon completion in 2021.

An aerial view of works at Karrinyup Shopping Centre  Photo credit: Site Visuals

Works on the centre’s proposed Café Terrace area are already underway, which will offer diners views of Perth city and nearby Lake Gwelup. Earlier this month, the former store locations for Hungry Jacks and KFC closed to allow for more construction works in the area. The two outlets are now open in their new locations near the corner of Karrinyup Road and Francis Avenue.

The three-year project will result in the centre almost doubling in size from 59,874 square metres to 109,000 square metres. Along with hundreds of shopping destinations, the centre will also feature a state-of-the-art 10 screen HOYTS cinema. The project is expected to create 2,500 jobs during the construction phase as well as provide 2,500 new retail, support and management jobs.

With Sue Myc in the 89.7FM studios Photo credit: 89.7 FM Facebook

Next time you’re out and about in the car, tune into 89.7 FM Northern Suburbs Radio for an entertaining alternative with an emphasis on local content. The City of Stirling is getting behind the station by becoming a sponsor from 2020, which means that listeners will hear more about local suburbs and topics that affect them. It was great to be part of Sue Myc’s morning show earlier this month to make the announcement and talk about City of Stirling projects.

For more than 40 years, the City has presented School Citizenship Awards that recognise community-minded students in their final year of primary school. This year, a total of 54 local schools each nominated up to two worthy Year 6 students to receive the honour.

Cr Karlo Perkov at Lake Gwelup Primary School with award-winning students Ella and Thea 

Our dedicated Councillors attended many of the schools during November and December to handover certificates and book vouchers. Hamersley Ward Cr Karlo Perkov recently visited Lake Gwelup Primary School to present awards. Congratulations to the award-winning pupils across the City and all of the Year 6 students who graduated this year.

Still on the topic of schools, the City’s recent ‘Wonder of Waste’ prompted a wonderful response with more than 1,200 entries from dozens of local schools. The online contest encouraged primary school students across the City to answer a series of multiple choice questions that tested their knowledge of recycling. The three primary schools with the most students completing the quiz each won a cash prize to spend on waste and recycling services at their school.

With St Peter's Primary School students

Congratulations to St Peter’s Primary School (Inglewood) on winning the $1,000 first prize. Coolbinia Primary School picked up the $800 second prize and Our Lady of Lourdes School in Nollamara received the $400 third prize. The contest will be back again in 2020.

A national award from the Migration Council Australia recently recognised the City’s efforts to create thriving communities that support migrants and refugees. The Welcoming Australia Award for Local Government singled out the City’s Multicultural Framework. Being such a culturally diverse local government, the City developed the framework to deliver programs that foster a sense of community for newcomers.

As part of the framework, a dedicated Multicultural Project Officer now links migrants and refugees with many local services and the Kaleidoscope Initiative connects skilled newcomers with local mentors to help them become job ready.

To share local stories about the City’s rich and diverse heritage, we regularly add new historical plaques to locations across the community. Most recently, we installed plaques at three local primary schools and a heritage listed property on Scarborough Beach Road that is now home to the Woods Medical Centre.

Cr Suzanne Migdale, Nollamara Primary School Principal Natalie Tarr & Cr Joe Ferrante with the marker

Lawley Ward Councillors Suzanne Migdale and Joe Ferrante recently visited Nollamara Primary School to see the school’s new plaque and to chat to School Principal Natalie Tarr. Dating back to 1956, the school took shape to meet growing demand from the community and its lay-out is a traditional Post War style u-form surrounding a quadrangle. The remaining two school plaques now have new homes at North Beach Primary School and Lake Gwelup Primary School.

There was an entertaining mix of Christmas themed events available to the community this festive season. Whether it was traditional carols in Scarborough and Hamersley, a screening of ‘Elf’ in Mount Lawley, a fun fair in North Beach or the annual Mount Lawley Christmas Festival, there was loads of fun on offer. Crs Stephanie Proud, Karen Caddy and Karlo Perkov (pictured below) along with other Councillors all enjoyed the Scarborough Carols event earlier this month, which wrapped up with a stunning fireworks display.

Crs Stephanie Proud, Karen Caddy and Karlo Perkov at the Scarborough Carols

As this is my final blog entry for 2019, I’d like to wish all of our residents a very enjoyable festive season and a fantastic start to 2020! Thanks for reading and see you next year.