Community Presentation and Launch of Vincent Vision 2024

Beginning in April 2004 the Town of Vincent embarked on Vincent Vision 2024, an ambitious project to establish a long range community vision for a new Town Planning Scheme and to guide the strategic direction of the Town of Vincent into the future.

A major Community Vision workshop and five place workshops attracted the involvement of almost 500 people and a Community Issues, Trends and Vision Survey involved a further 300 people. In total the project engaged 1,170 people in various pursuits and activities.

The vision statements for Vincent and each of the five ‘places’ have been developed based on the outcomes and findings of all the various community engagement activities and reflect the views and aspirations of the community.

The Vincent Vision 2024 project also won three awards for Planning Excellence at the 2005 Planning Institute of Australia (WA) Awards and a National Merit Award for Community Based Planning at the 2006 Planning Institute of Australia National Conference.

Residents and Ratepayers were invited to the launch on 29 March 2006, with over 70 people attending the evening. The Mayor officially presented the final documents, which have been reproduced onto a CD-Rom and include the complete set of visions, statements and the guiding principles which underline the implementation of Vincent Vision 2024.

Copies of the CD-Rom are available from the Town of Vincent Administration and Civic Centre, 224 Vincent Street, Leederville, The Town of Vincent Library, Loftus Recreation Centre, Corner of Loftus and Vincent Streets, Leederville or by contacting the Vincent Vision 2024 Project Officer, Deena Appleby on 9273 6559 or email deena.appleby@vincent.wa.gov.au.

All documents can be viewed under the Library section on this website.

Children's Visioning Project -----

In November 2004 students from years 5 and 7 from local primary schools were involved in a children's visioning workshop held at the North Perth Town Hall. The workshop focused on what children value and dislike about living in Vincent.

A creative visualization exercise had children describing what they would like the built and natural environment to look and feel like and the best ideas they see happening for the Town.

The children then when on to create drawings on ceramic tiles about their visions and aspirations for the future. Ceramic artist, Julie Drury facilitated this part of the workshop. A ceramic mural has been created using the glazed and fired tiles.

The 126 tiles have been installed in the Vincent Street facing wall of the Leederville Oval redevelopment by the Tech Services team from TOV.

A plaque commemorating the works was unveiled by the Mayor and 20 children from Aranmore Catholic Primary School and Highgate Primary School on Thursday 15 September 2005 along with Town of Vincent Elected Members, staff and invited guests.

The tiles were created by over 125 school children from schools within the TOV -

• North Perth Primary Year 7
• Highgate Primary Year 7
• Mount Hawthorn Primary Year 5
• Aranmore Catholic Primary Year 7
• Kyilla Primary Year 5

The tiles depict the children's vision of the Town in 2024. It is obvious that the children see the future of Vincent with great possibility and imagination. The tiles are now a stunning display, enhancing the streetscape.

There are some priceless quotes from the children involved in the visioning project - these reflect not only gorgeous childhood innocence and perspectives but also that many are thinking about more serious issues that face the community - alcohol, drugs, pollution etc.

Themes from the visioning workshop included:

• Advanced technologies - hover cars, automated houses, robots
• Fewer cars, more trains and buses and new ways to get around
• New more modern housing
• Buildings being knock down, more and bigger buildings
• More houses
• More trees and plants
• Underground power
• Cleaner environment, no pollution
• Better parks and more activities and facilities
• A safe place
• People are nice and care for each other

Visions from the children who participated:

"The Town of Vincent is now enclosed in a glass dome. Flying cars are everywhere. The parks have been expanded, but otherwise everything is just the same."

"Floating houses that can be driven like a car."

"Every room will be self-cleaning."

"There will automatic lifting for heavy boxes; plates of food will come down from the ceiling."

"It will be 'cool', with new units instead of houses. There will be hovercraft and people wearing strange clothes."

"Most people are walking or riding bikes; kids of all ages are playing; no one is smoking; power is underground, so the trees are growing tall; there is no pollution and lakes are pretty with birds and wildlife."

"I see the trees growing tall and reaching for the sky. All the power lines are underground. I see children of all ages playing in one playground that has different areas of different sizes."

"I hear water dripping and see birds in a sanctuary with a few tables and chairs around. There is no pollution. People will be getting around underground in buses and trains, but not cars."

"I see a beautiful park, with lots of flowers and trees. I hear people talking nicely to each other... money on trees and everyone having fun. Also heaps of playgrounds for kids and animals in their natural state. It feels very safe."

"I see a beautiful swimming hole with crystal clear water and a really good 'flying fox' going out over the water, so that you can drop into it. Bushes are surrounding the hole and there are lily pads at one end. There is no litter or graffiti."

"It looks really good and peaceful. Everyone is nice and knows each other. It is colourful. There are trees, parks and play equipment."

"I feel really happy because I am home. I can see rainbows and people are planting trees. There are very nice gardens in the parks."

Town Centre Visioning Workshops -----

The Leederville, Mt Hawthorn, Brisbane / William St, North Perth and Mt Lawley Highgate Walks of Interest have been held and have drawn enthusiastic crowds of up to 40 people, including children and dogs.

Walk leaders have included the Town's Heritage Officers and the Local Studies Librarian, Dr Graham Seal, Director WA Folklore Archive and Deputy Director of Australian Studies in the Division of Humanities at Curtin University, local resident and designer Tony Keene, Councillor Sally Lake and Dudley Maier.

The leaders take participants on walks through the various town centres and allow participants to consider and discuss issues about buildings, heritage, density, traffic, parking, safety and other matters. Workshop reports can be found in our Library section.

Participants in Palmerston Street on the Brisbane William Streets Walk.

Participants pondering Myrtle Street