New civic building and gardens

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Community. Council. Staff.

Have your say on the new Civic Precinct community spaces.

The City of Subiaco’s Civic Precinct, located in the mid-section of Rokeby Road, is a historically significant local landmark, having served a variety of community functions for over a century.

Today, it forms the heart of the City, encompassing key community facilities such as the E H Parker Library, Subiaco Museum, the old Council Chambers and Administration Centre, as well as the Rankin Gardens, the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Clock Tower, and a number of heritage trees and open green spaces. Together, these elements form an integral part of Subiaco’s cultural, civic, and environmental identity.

The Civic Precinct provides an important place for the community to come together for key community events such as the City’s ANZAC and Remembrance Day services, along with outdoor Library and Museum programs like storytime and rhymetime.

In February 2021, Council endorsed the investigation of a potential refurbishment or redevelopment of the Council Chambers and Administration Centre building, as it was nearing the end of its serviceable life.

Preliminary work commenced before the building was compromised by a fire in September 2022.

In May 2025, following a competitive tender process, which included a jury of architectural industry experts, Lyons were appointed as lead architect firm for the new civic building and gardens.

Lyons responded to a design brief, which was informed by community feedback gathered over the past few years through a number of consultation projects, including:

  • 2024 MARKYT Community Scorecard
  • 2025 Council Plan
  • 2020-21 Social Infrastructure Plan
  • 2025 Shenton Park Community Centre consultation
  • 2025 Shenton Park streetscape design consultation.

Your feedback

Between 14 November 2025 and 27 February 2026 the City sought feedback on the concept design to help shape the proposed community spaces, which includes a proposed community hub, festival lawn, flexible exhibition space, new civic building - including Council Chambers, grass roots pavilion, botanic arc and more.

Input received will ensure the new civic building and gardens meet the needs of residents, visitors and workers now and for generations to come. Please explore the project FAQs to read responses to the most frequently asked questions more about the project.

There were a variety of ways to provide feedback, including:

  • Online survey - a printed copy of the survey can be provided on request. Please email city@subiaco.wa.gov.au or call the City on 9237 9222.
  • Postcards available to fill out at the City of Subiaco Office (Level 2, 388 Hay Street), Subiaco Library, or Lords Recreation Centre.
  • Sentiment flyers sent to all households within City of Subiaco.
  • In person at:

Community consultation was open from Friday 14 November 2025 to Friday 27 February 2026.

Community. Council. Staff.

Have your say on the new Civic Precinct community spaces.

The City of Subiaco’s Civic Precinct, located in the mid-section of Rokeby Road, is a historically significant local landmark, having served a variety of community functions for over a century.

Today, it forms the heart of the City, encompassing key community facilities such as the E H Parker Library, Subiaco Museum, the old Council Chambers and Administration Centre, as well as the Rankin Gardens, the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Clock Tower, and a number of heritage trees and open green spaces. Together, these elements form an integral part of Subiaco’s cultural, civic, and environmental identity.

The Civic Precinct provides an important place for the community to come together for key community events such as the City’s ANZAC and Remembrance Day services, along with outdoor Library and Museum programs like storytime and rhymetime.

In February 2021, Council endorsed the investigation of a potential refurbishment or redevelopment of the Council Chambers and Administration Centre building, as it was nearing the end of its serviceable life.

Preliminary work commenced before the building was compromised by a fire in September 2022.

In May 2025, following a competitive tender process, which included a jury of architectural industry experts, Lyons were appointed as lead architect firm for the new civic building and gardens.

Lyons responded to a design brief, which was informed by community feedback gathered over the past few years through a number of consultation projects, including:

  • 2024 MARKYT Community Scorecard
  • 2025 Council Plan
  • 2020-21 Social Infrastructure Plan
  • 2025 Shenton Park Community Centre consultation
  • 2025 Shenton Park streetscape design consultation.

Your feedback

Between 14 November 2025 and 27 February 2026 the City sought feedback on the concept design to help shape the proposed community spaces, which includes a proposed community hub, festival lawn, flexible exhibition space, new civic building - including Council Chambers, grass roots pavilion, botanic arc and more.

Input received will ensure the new civic building and gardens meet the needs of residents, visitors and workers now and for generations to come. Please explore the project FAQs to read responses to the most frequently asked questions more about the project.

There were a variety of ways to provide feedback, including:

  • Online survey - a printed copy of the survey can be provided on request. Please email city@subiaco.wa.gov.au or call the City on 9237 9222.
  • Postcards available to fill out at the City of Subiaco Office (Level 2, 388 Hay Street), Subiaco Library, or Lords Recreation Centre.
  • Sentiment flyers sent to all households within City of Subiaco.
  • In person at:

Community consultation was open from Friday 14 November 2025 to Friday 27 February 2026.

  • Engagement results for proposed new civic building and gardens

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    Thank you to all those who took part in the community consultation for this project that ran from 14 November 2025 to 27 February 2026.

    The results of the feedback received on the concept design for the new civic building and gardens is now available to view via a comprehensive report collated by external consultants.

    More than 1,000 pieces of individual feedback were provided during the consultation and form the basis of the Civic Precinct Consultation Report. These included:

    • 656 individual survey submissions
    • 111 people attending in-person engagement sessions (including listening posts, and activities with the Subi Voice of Youth group and the Seniors Coffee Club)
    • 74 direct emails or letters
    • 130 completed feedback flyers.


    The key themes emerging from the consultation particularly related to:

    • Trees and green space
    • Cost and justification
    • Amenities
    • History and heritage
    • Design


    Most survey respondents were aged 30–64 (55 per cent), with a further 40 per cent aged 65 or older, and 5 per cent aged 18–29.

    Survey sentiment was split into 37 per cent negative, 28 per cent positive, 23 per cent neutral, and 12 per cent mixed.

    A flyer, which contained details about the concept design and opportunity to provide comment, was mailed to all City households in February 2026. 130 people completed the flyers and returned them with feedback – this is captured on page 30 of the Report.

    The Civic Precinct Consultation Report is included as an attachment to a report that will be presented to Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 24 March 2026.

    Stay tuned on the City’s website and Facebook page for further updates about the project.

    Thank you to all those who took part in the community consultation for this project that ran from 14 November 2025 to 27 February 2026.

    The results of the feedback received on the concept design for the new civic building and gardens is now available to view via a comprehensive report collated by external consultants.

    More than 1,000 pieces of individual feedback were provided during the consultation and form the basis of the Civic Precinct Consultation Report. These included:

    • 656 individual survey submissions
    • 111 people attending in-person engagement sessions (including listening posts, and activities with the Subi Voice of Youth group and the Seniors Coffee Club)
    • 74 direct emails or letters
    • 130 completed feedback flyers.


    The key themes emerging from the consultation particularly related to:

    • Trees and green space
    • Cost and justification
    • Amenities
    • History and heritage
    • Design


    Most survey respondents were aged 30–64 (55 per cent), with a further 40 per cent aged 65 or older, and 5 per cent aged 18–29.

    Survey sentiment was split into 37 per cent negative, 28 per cent positive, 23 per cent neutral, and 12 per cent mixed.

    A flyer, which contained details about the concept design and opportunity to provide comment, was mailed to all City households in February 2026. 130 people completed the flyers and returned them with feedback – this is captured on page 30 of the Report.

    The Civic Precinct Consultation Report is included as an attachment to a report that will be presented to Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 24 March 2026.

    Stay tuned on the City’s website and Facebook page for further updates about the project.

  • FAQ - cost control

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    How much will the new civic building and gardens cost?

    Inclusive of design, demolition, construction, and landscaping, the new civic building and gardens are estimated to cost $64 million. A breakdown of the estimate is available here.

    More than half of the estimated project cost is dedicated to spaces for the community. Please visit the interactive map on the project website to explore key areas within the Civic Precinct, both existing and proposed

    The cost of the new civic building and gardens is comparable to what the City would need to spend if this project did not proceed – particularly given that the City would still require office space for our staff elsewhere in Subiaco. The project brings additional benefits like new community spaces and long-term stability for office accommodation and Council Chambers, which is critical for the City to effectively support our growing community.

    Will my rates be increased to fund the redevelopment?

    No, the project is not expected to have an impact on rates. The City has sufficient funds to meet the costs of this project.

    How much will the new civic building and gardens cost?

    Inclusive of design, demolition, construction, and landscaping, the new civic building and gardens are estimated to cost $64 million. A breakdown of the estimate is available here.

    More than half of the estimated project cost is dedicated to spaces for the community. Please visit the interactive map on the project website to explore key areas within the Civic Precinct, both existing and proposed

    The cost of the new civic building and gardens is comparable to what the City would need to spend if this project did not proceed – particularly given that the City would still require office space for our staff elsewhere in Subiaco. The project brings additional benefits like new community spaces and long-term stability for office accommodation and Council Chambers, which is critical for the City to effectively support our growing community.

    Will my rates be increased to fund the redevelopment?

    No, the project is not expected to have an impact on rates. The City has sufficient funds to meet the costs of this project.

Page last updated: 27 Mar 2026, 11:45 AM