News Archive

Six final year, architecture, landscape architecture and urban design students from The University of Western Australia (UWA) are taking a fresh look at ways to develop built form, infrastructure and landscape design at Dampier in the State's north west.

Hand selected for their passion and talent, the students recently visited Dampier as part of LandCorp's BILD Innovation Program to scope the major issues related to development of the mining town situated on WA's north west coast, 12 kilometres from Karratha.

Initial student consensus was the Dampier waterfront is of vital importance to the wider region as a recreational destination.

"Dampier's richest asset is its blue oil - the tropical waters surrounding the 42 islands comprising the Dampier Archipelago," Landscape Architecture Honours student at UWA Lucy Farley said.

"There is enormous potential to harness the rich diversity of the town and surrounds by establishing additional infrastructure to support the growth of recreation and tourism activities such as boating, scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing.

"We are also investigating climate and socially responsive building designs to remove existing dead spaces and establish a heart to the centre of the town."

UWA, School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Visual Arts Associate Professor Patric de Villiers said a series of workshops during the research and design phases have allowed the students to approach the project from a range of perspectives including urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, planning, economics, engineering, community development and health research.

"We are exploring a series of ideas, themes and concepts to allow LandCorp to have a wider background to draw upon in the future development of the town.  We are opening the box and contributing to the discussion," he said.

Roebourne Shire Council President Nicole Lockwood said this detailed planning process will form part of Dampier's broader revitalisation.

"The forward-thinking design ideas these students have developed during their visit will be available to inform the Dampier Marina planning process we will undertake in the coming months," Ms Lockwood said.

LandCorp General Manager Business Development and Marketing, Kerry Fijac, said the collaborative approach with students and academics will provide a vehicle for research, development and testing of design solutions specific to the conditions and challenges of the Pilbara.

Media references

Sue Smith (LandCorp media contact)  (+61 4) 09 090 165
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716