Roebourne Recreation Precinct Master Plan
In 2021 Gresley Abas was engaged to deliver a master plan and concept design for the Roebourne Recreation Precinct. From working on projects in the Pilbara, we have grown deep respect and understanding of this beautiful part of Western Australia. Our experience has given us an awareness that Roebourne is a Pilbara town grown from much cultural complexity. We acknowledge the deep trauma suffered by so many in the past.
Using this knowledge, we worked with the City of Karratha and the local community groups to listen to the community's needs and develop a brief and cultural engagement strategy that was sensitive and appropriate for delivering the very best outcomes. For a precinct in a state of disrepair, we developed a conceptual design that demonstrates what a more positive future for this precinct might look like. Our work lays the innovative foundations for a sophisticated, budgeted, and culturally collaborative project moving forward.
Building on work carried out over many years by the City of Karratha, the project includes the significant refurbishment of the precinct, including breathing new life into the "50c Hall", a community building that, although tired and architecturally inappropriate, has gained much local significance. The project also identified demand for public realm upgrades and expanded sports, recreation and multi-use areas for all ages.
We developed three planning options which were to be used to determine the most appropriate direction for a concept design. Through these options, we sought to leverage the optimal outcome for the community through a community-led approach foregrounding connections to county and culture to provide opportunities for cultural knowledge exchange to inform project planning, design and life cycle. We seek to provide healthy, inclusive, culturally safe spaces for the community to practice, learn and express culture, creating a true social and recreational centre for the people of Roebourne.
