Cottesloe Pier project a step closer
By summer next year, Cottesloe beach in Western Australia could have a pier, restaurant, underwater observatory and shark-proof swimming enclosure.
Lawrence Scanlan & Associates’ entirely privately funded project will also include fountains for light and water shows that could be viewed from the beach and seabed moorings.
It’s a concept that would allow floating designs.
Plans for the much-anticipated $15 million development have been lodged with WA’s environmental watchdog and released for public comment.
A shark proof swimming enclosure will be in the area between the jetty.
There will also be a lookout atop the main building offered to Surf Life Saving WA as a shark spotting tower.
Architect Lawrence Scanlan says the concept had been on the drawing board for almost 20 years.
He said he resurrected the plans a couple of years ago when he saw the public’s mood had changed.
“I think the public sentiment towards activation of public spaces has improved,” Mr Scanlan, a long-time Cottesloe resident told the West Australian.
“It (Cottesloe) is a sleepy hollow and some people like that so we’re not trying to suggest it should become the Gold Coast.”
He said feedback on the project had been positive so far.
He said it would it would take six to nine-month to build. Autumn, he said, is the ideal time for construction in a marine environment.
Mr Scanlan is the designer behind Cottesloe’s iconic Indiana Tearooms which, in a related story, was shelved by the town of Cottlesloe after councillors were advised that a "key issue" in the business plan had changed.
The $5 million redevelopment proposal of the Indiana restaurant on Cottesloe beach included a new restaurant, boatshed facilities for the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club and public toilets.
Apart from the connection with Mr Scanlan, the Indiana proposal was not related to the pier plan.
Leon Gettler, April 18th 2016
