Old Spaces, New Places - ROW52 Laneway Upgrade

What is Old Places, New Spaces?

Old Places, New Spaces (OPNS) is a public realm upgrade program focusing on renewing, upgrading and invigorating existing public places within the Town and making them inviting and active spaces for greater community benefit. The initiative came as a result of a notice of motion being endorsed by Council requesting the CEO to;

Investigate alternative options for the use of the laneways and intersections along Albany Highway between Teddington Street and Westminster Street and prepare a report about the possible alternative uses for any identified laneways and intersections which could ultimately be trialled to gauge feedback from the community and businesses.

Since the initial motion and subsequent investigation, the Town decided to widen the scope of the program to include all public realm spaces within the Town. This will enable the team to deliver a wider range of successful upgrade projects. Your can find more information on these projects here.

How many projects fall under the OPNS program?

1. ROW52 Laneway Upgrade
2. Etwwell Street Revitalisation project
3. A new urban space for Albany's Highway's west end

More information can be found at https://yourthoughts.victoriapark.wa.gov.au/osnp

What is the back story of the ROW52 laneway upgrade?

The first project delivered under the 'Old Places, New Spaces' program was the upgrade of ROW52. The proposal included closing the laneway to vehicle traffic and upgrade the space to a high standard, focused on a pedestrian scale. The project achieved the following objectives:

• Upgrade and name the laneway;
• Enhance community and cultural activities on the site;
• Prioritise pedestrian movements through the site;
• Provide a safe and inviting space for the community;
• Encourage integration between private and public spaces;
• Facilitate community collaboration through design; and
• Capture learnings to help deliver future 'Old Places, New Spaces' upgrades
• The key themes from the community that formed the design criteria were:
  1. Flexible – Able to host diverse range of small events.
  2. Social – Provides a space to sit, relax, socialise.
  3. Cultural – Includes art and an aesthetically high quality outcome.
  4. Safe – Well-lit space utilising CPTED strategies to maximise safety.
  5. Green – includes greening opportunities and vegetation.
  6. Pedestrian focused – a clear, inclusive pedestrian connection between the car park and Albany Highway with a restriction of vehicle access.
  7. Well integrated – Allowance for future improved neighbouring business connection and considers site context and interfaces.

Where is the ROW52 laneway?

ROW52 is the laneway that is located between Ten Ten Kitchen, East Victoria Park IGA and TAO Restaurant.

What are the rules around naming of a place in Western Australia?

The Policies and Standards for Geographical Naming in Western Australia includes a number of fundamental requirements for the naming of roads, administrative boundaries, cultural and topographical features. They include legislative considerations, external policies and cultural factors to ensure a sound toponymic heritage for future generations of Western Australians.
For more information please visit Landgate website.

What were the names that original went out the community for voting?

• Chatterbox Court
• Ginger Lane
• Fusion Place
• Sun-kissed Lane
• Sun-kissed Walk
• Dragon Lane
• Meander Way
• Urban Retreat
• Liquorice Way

What name was the winner for the first round of voting?

Dragon Lane received highest amount of community votes.

Why was Dragon Lane not chosen by Council?

September 2020: Elected Members recommended a third round of community voting with additional names and suggestions by Council.

Who is the final decision makers?

Landgate and the Town of Victoria Park Council are the final decision makers for the naming.