 Prof. Peter Newman, sustainability advisor to North Port Quay.
The proponents of NPQ have conducted extensive community consultation since early 2008.
In May 2008, shortly after the launch of the concept, Patterson Market Research polled 400 residents in the State seats of Cottesloe and Fremantle.
On this occasion 58% supported the NPQ concept, 28% opposed it, and 12% neither supported nor opposed it. There was much stronger support in Cottesloe than Fremantle - with 69% support in Cottesloe compared to 47% in Fremantle.
However, more people supported than opposed the plan in both areas. Only 19% of Cottesloe residents opposed the plan compared to 37% of Fremantle residents.
Other results included:
- 73% of boat owners in favour;
- 64% in favour of boat launching ramps, (72% among Cottesloe respondents);
- 60% in favour of new public beaches, public fishing platforms and a new artificial surf reef;
- 79% in favour of free public parking to access the beaches and boat pens;
- 57% in favour of a new tourist precinct with shops, cafe and a performing arts centre; and
- 75% in favour of upgrades of roads in and out of Fremantle to reduce traffic congestion.
In June 2008, Patterson Market Research conducted a statewide poll of 400 Western Australians of voting age. The survey demonstrated very clearly that the broader community had strong interest in the NPQ concept and strongly supported the notion that it should be fully investigated.
At that time 75% of respondents across Western Australia were aware of the project and 60% supported the project, with 27% opposed it with 13% undecided.
Other results found:
- 71% of people under 36 supported the project, compared to 55% over 36
- 24% under 36 opposed the project going forward and 28% over 36 opposed the project;
- 62% of males supported the project (28% opposed) ;
- 57% of women supported the project (26% opposed);
- 61% of people living in the metropolitan area supported the project (27% opposed) ;
- 53% of people living in the country supported the project (29% opposed); and
- 70% of Coalition and Labor voters believed that the project should be fully investigated, as did 61% of green voters.
The latest polling conducted by Patterson Market Research in late October 2008, in the State electorate of Cottesloe (the electorate in which NPQ will be constructed), revealed that among 400 respondents 72% supported the project. The major reasons for their support were:
- The positive impact it would have on revitalising Fremantle;
- The positive impact it would have on the local economy creating jobs and business opportunities;
- The curtailing of Perth's urban sprawl; and
- The new technological development on the environmental front (that the community would be powered by wind, wave and solar energy.)
The pollsters noted that there will be a lot of community debate over this project. But, the ratio of support to opposition within Cottesloe is in the order of 2 to 1 in favour of the project going ahead if it meets environmental and planning standards. Three out of four respondents support a full investigation and assessment of the project.
It is interesting that the prospect of high rise development on NPQ is much more acceptable than allowing high rise to be developed around the commercial centres along the current west coast beach front.
† BACK TO QUESTIONS
|