Host of proposals for City’s peaks

New hiking trails, a hillside campground and a year-round festival program for Mt Clarence and Mt Adelaide are three ideas of 43 pitched by the City of Albany for its proposed development of the 242ha precinct.

The City’s ideas were included in its draft Mounts Master Plan, which will guide its next 25 years of development on Mt Clarence and Mt Adelaide.

Included in the proposals for The Mounts precinct were kilometres of new hiking and riding trails, which would connect to a central “trail head” hub on Mt Clarence and represent a major extension of the existing trails network.

They would be complemented by new signage and public toilets across the area, with one trail skirting a proposed campground near Carlyles Function Centre.

The City also proposed a year-round festival program, as well as a major overhaul to move parking from between the NAC and The Fortress Museum to a site 100m away.

Restoration of crumbling coastal gun batteries was also proposed, including the replacement of the cannons and refurbishments of the ruined bunkers.

The development of outdoor storytelling sites, more dual-naming recognition and a greater emphasis of traditional Menang heritage were also proposed.

Down the hillside, a significant proposal was made for a footbridge over Marine Drive, connecting the NAC and a new botanic garden on the south-eastern side of Mt Adelaide.

That garden could host glasshouses and a plant nursery, and link via paths to a nature play area and the nearby historic gun batteries.

Marine Drive was also targeted for major improvements, including a new coastal lookout and parking area north of the Point King Lighthouse.

The Marine Drive plan included resurfacing it at either end with red asphalt which would run through historic gateways, and the installation of signage commemorating it as a historic drive.

A shared path along the length of the road was also proposed, as well as a speed limit drop from 60km/h.

Upgrades to improve fishing, swimming and kayaking along the coast were also pitched, as well as improvements for the Ellen Cove boardwalk.

The City’s ideas will be subject to a public feedback and approvals process, with four information sessions scheduled for next month.

Public proposals can also be submitted.

Information sessions will be held at the Avenue of Honour on July 5 and 6 from 10am to 2pm, at the Albany Town Hall on July 12 from 3pm to 7pm, and at the Albany Surf Life Saving Club on July 13 from 10am to 2pm.

City chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the City would heed community input on the plan.

“We all use the precinct in different ways, so we want to hear from everyone in the community about the way they use the mounts, what is important to them and what projects and initiatives they would like to see prioritised into the future,” he said.

The plan is available online at Albany.wa.gov.au.

Feedback submissions will go into the draw to win a $100 local business voucher.