Albany Waterfront, Albany

CLIENT BRIEF:

Develop a world-class waterfront development which revitalises the undeveloped, under-utilised and contaminated Albany foreshore into a highly sought after location and reconnects the historic city with the magnificent Princess Royal Harbour.

The redevelopment included five key elements, a marina, a new pedestrian bridge spanning a freight railway line and major transport corridor to the Port, commercial facilities, accommodation and a major entertainment precinct.

A new breakwater was also constructed to create a safe harbour to accommodate a floating marina of up to 130 pens.

BENCHMARK’S ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Benchmark managed every aspect of the redevelopment, from the detailed feasibility, planning, design, construction, marketing and sales – to deliver the redevelopment project on time and on budget despite many varied challenges.
• Benchmark spearheaded an extensive stakeholder engagement process with the City of Albany, Albany Port Authority, Great Southern Development Commission, port-user groups and the wider community to gain majority community support to redevelopment Albany’s waterfront.
• Benchmark had an instrumental involvement in the decision to relocate the Albany Entertainment Centre from its originally proposed location on York St to the waterfront and so create a unique destination point adjacent to the marina.
• The company also coordinated the design and construction of the 160 metre span pedestrian bridge, linking Albany’s central business district with the waterfront, the start of the Bibbulman Track, Albany Tourist Information Centre and community facilities at nearby Anzac Peace Park.
• Benchmark’s exceptional expertise in stakeholder engagement secured broad community support for the redevelopment of the foreshore after 30-plus years of community debate.

BACKGROUND:

Albany’s undeveloped foreshore, located on the banks of one of the world class Princess Royal Harbour, was the subject of intense community debate for more than 30 years.

Closely flanked by the City of Albany’s historic and bustling commercial and residential areas located between local geographic landmarks Mount Clarence and Mount Melville, the foreshore was considered a ‘wasteland’, with no public or recreation amenities or facilities, ensuring it was physically and culturally disconnected from its nearby surrounds.

Albany’s $40 million waterfront redevelopment will transform the historic city’s former waterfront wasteland into a spectacular, world-class tourism precinct

The project will boost Albany’s tourism industry, creating a variety of cultural and leisure activities for visitors and the people of Albany and the surrounding region.