BRIEF

Shoalwater Bay Marine Park is a stunning part of the WA coastline. The development of the Shoalwater Reserve Activity Node marks the first stage in realising a broader masterplan for this area of the coast. It aims to enhance the foreshore experience for the local community and attract more visitors to its unique setting.

APPROACH

The site is adjacent to the Shoalwater Special Purpose Zone (Wildlife Conservation). The coastline and islands within this zone provide important habitat for marine life, including breeding and nesting sites for seabirds. The design responds to this context by utilising already cleared areas of the dune for access, and minimising light spill towards the shoreline.

OUTCOME

The Shoalwater Reserve Activity Node caters to the increasing community demands for water sports and coastal activities through improvements to access, amenities, and recreation opportunities for visitors.
The design promotes social inclusion by addressing accessibility to the changerooms, site furniture and beach amenities. The very steep beach access ramp is replaced with a longer, shallower ramp supplemented with sand mats for water access during peak season, which provides improved access for all users.