A proposed boardwalk linking Riverton Bridge to Castledare has drawn strong community interest, but remains an unfunded concept with no formal backing from the City of Canning.
Patrick Hall recently put forward the idea of a “Bicentennial Eco Boardwalk” through the Wilson wetlands, pitching it as a potential project to mark Western Australia’s bicentenary in 2029 and the City’s 50-year anniversary.
While the idea has been welcomed by some residents, others have raised concerns about the condition of existing boardwalks, environmental impact and the cost of new infrastructure.
Mayor Hall said the proposal is still in its early stages.
“The idea of a boardwalk connection has been discussed at various points over a number of years, particularly in response to identified gaps in the walking and cycling network on the Wilson side of Riverton Bridge,” he said.
“At this stage, the proposal remains at a concept and advocacy stage and has not been endorsed by Council or progressed as a funded City project.”
The mayor said the project would also require involvement from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), which manages the land.
“With the land being managed and controlled by DBCA, this would need require further discussion,” he said.
“There are currently no City of Canning budget allocations committed to the investigation, design or delivery of a Bicentennial Eco Boardwalk,” Mayor Hall added.
He described the proposal as an aspirational project linked to milestone years, with a focus on attracting external funding rather than relying on City resources.
Hall said concept discussions and preliminary planning work had previously been carried out with DBCA as part of broader efforts to improve walking and cycling connections in the Canning River Regional Park.
“Concept discussions and preliminary planning material have previously been developed in partnership with DBCA… rather than a single, formally adopted City project,” he said.
Online, residents expressed mixed views about the proposal.
Some said the boardwalk would improve safety and create better access to the river, while others pointed to ongoing maintenance issues with existing infrastructure.
Several commenters said current boardwalks were already in poor condition, with rotting timber and protruding nails, and called for repairs to be prioritised before any new construction.
Others raised concerns about environmental impact, rubbish in the wetlands and the cost of new projects amid rising living expenses.
Mayor Hall acknowledged those concerns, saying maintenance of existing infrastructure is already being addressed.
“The City acknowledges community concerns about the condition of existing boardwalks and shared paths,” he said.
“Where infrastructure is under city responsibility, renewal and maintenance planning is already underway and being prioritised through the city’s capital works program.”
For infrastructure managed by DBCA, he said the city is continuing to push for improvements.
“For assets managed by DBCA, the city continues to actively advocate for maintenance and safety improvements, particularly where accessibility and public safety are raised by the community,” he said.
The mayor said discussions have already taken place with DBCA regarding infrastructure near Riverton Bridge.
“DBCA has advised it will replace a number of individual decking boards as part of short-term maintenance, with full deck replacement planned as part of its longer-term asset renewal program,” he said.
Any future development in the wetlands would also require environmental and cultural heritage approvals.
“This would be expected to include Aboriginal cultural heritage approvals, environmental assessments, and detailed design and construction methodologies,” the mayor said.
No timeline or cost estimate has been set for the project.
“It is too early to provide an indicative timeline,” he said.
Mayor Hall added that any progress would depend on planning with DBCA, environmental and heritage investigations, community consultation and securing external funding.
