Shire of Capel reveals Stage Three of its Civic Precinct project

Stage Three – completed within seven months – has developed pathways and skate-able links, a children’s playground, an amphitheatre/staged area, a half-basketball court, and a car park.  

Perkins Builders began Stage Three’s civil construction works in February, working from detailed designs by Cardno Engineering Consultants. 

The Member for Collie-Preston was given a tour of the area by Shire of Capel chief executive officer Ian McCabe, Shire president Murray Scott, and Shire deputy president Brian Hearne on September 7. 

Mr McCabe said the project opened up the area and provided activities for community members of all ages.

He said the plan sought to use previously under-utilised space and provide more opportunities for local businesses. 

“Since the soft opening, support for the area has gone through the roof,” he said. 

“It’s providing a space in town and is saying: ‘This is what’s happening here’.”

Stage Four will deliver a multi-purpose centre complete with community and conference spaces, training rooms, a kitchen, office spaces, and an activity room. 

The tender process for Stage Four has already begun, and calls for businesses from Capel and surrounding areas to pitch in. 

Stage One and Two were completed back in 2016. 

The $2.8 million precinct has utilised an area of land situated between Capel Drive, Forrest Road, Roe Road and Buchanan Road, and includes the Shire of Capel building, the library and the community centre. 

Seeing the proposal as a way to “improve the town centre/character of Capel”, the shire first adopted the strategy in 2008. 

The Stage Government, through the South West Development Commission, donated $1.3m for the project, while $900,000 was provided by Lotterywest funding. 

The shire added $600,000 to the plan. 

Support also came from the Disability Services Commission and the Building Better Regions program.  

The Shire has scheduled the area’s official opening for early October. 

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