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Helena
Woodbridge Lakes
Woodbridge Lakes is an environmentally friendly, medium-density residential neighbourhood around the historic coal dam site. Dress circle residences create a unique urban village in Helena that harmonises with its industrial heritage setting.
A boardwalk around the dam, nearby parklands along the Helena River and public open spaces with distinctive artworks, add to the area's appeal. A unique collection of public artwork adds visual interest around Woodbridge Lakes.
The Workshops
The Midland Railway Workshops is a world-class collection of early 20th century industrial buildings and the setting for a new urban village offering a rich mix of residential, retail, commercial, heritage and public open spaces.
This cluster of heritage buildings is being carefully conserved to offer an exciting new concept in inner-city living. Accommodating chic new homes, a wide choice of restaurants and coffee shops, attractive public spaces and a walkable neighbourhood, The Workshops is destined to come alive with people who want a unique setting for their home or workplace.
Redevelopment of The Workshops precinct will retaine its authentic, industrial feel while integrating contemporary built form including a provision for 500 homes across a mix of apartments and terraces. A new public square - Railway Square - will be a dynamic civic place in the heart of the development.
Every aspect of the site’s design is intended to provoke positive and meaningful interaction between people, places and spaces. This will be a place where people live, and also come to work, socialise and be inspired.
The Workshops are already being creatively reused in a number of ways, breathing new life into the historic buildings. Attractive landscaping, street furniture and stylish public art already define the area, with distinctive and unique artworks reflecting Midland’s past and future.
MRA has a collaboration with cultural organisation FORM, which has adapted a cluster of heritage buildings into a creative industries hub, the Midland Atelier. The Atelier is home to a number of Australian and international designers working across various mediums from photography to furniture design.
A GP Super Clinic, in Block One, was opened to the public in July 2012 and brings a range of health care services to the region. The Federal Government contributed $5 million towards the project, the WA Government $5 million and operator Health Integra $2 million.
Sustainability
The Workshops is set to become a world-class demonstration of best practice in urban design, with a strong emphasis on economic, social and environmental sustainability.
The Midland Atelier Solar Power installation is the largest roof-mounted solar system of its kind in WA. The facility will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 94 tonnes and create 60.3 kilowatts of clean energy, each year.
Other environmental innovations include:
- Planned water efficiency systems, stormwater harvesting and rainwater reuse
- Specification of infrastructure materials to address their carbon footprint with a preference for local materials with a high recyclable content
- Green Star ratings to drive sustainability standards for new built development
Economic sustainability is supported by strategies to enhance local employment diversity, raise skill levels and generate jobs, together with policies promoting the use of local goods and services.
The history of the site will be celebrated through walk trails, retained machinery and site features, interpretive signage and podcasts, contemporary public art and commemorative features, such as The Workers’ Wall.
