Feels Like Scarborough

What happened?

DevelopmentWA, formerly the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) assumed planning control of the Redevelopment Area in July 2014 as part of the initiative to upgrade and revitalise the Scarborough area.

The City recognises Scarborough as one of the nation’s best beachfront destinations.

The purpose of urban renewal of Scarborough was undertaken to build upon the area’s history and community to amplify its unique identity, increase the residential population, working opportunities and create a contemporary and vibrant beach destination. Scarborough’s revitalisation has created a hub of activity, with restaurants, cafés, shops, entertainment and a range of events and activities on offer for people of all ages at various times of the day and night. 

Following a review of its project areas, DevelopmentWA returned planning functions for the Redevelopment Area back to the City. This process is referred to as ‘normalisation’.

Normalisation  was achieved through Amendment 124 to Local Planning Scheme No.3. This included the transfer of the planning framework and the Scarborough Development Contribution Plan. Normalisation was completed on 9 August 2023.

Planning framework

Following normalisation, the City is responsible for the review of the planning framework that applies to the Scarborough Redevelopment Area.

The review of the planning framework is being progressed with an aim to be completed by June 2025.

With a regular calendar of events, why not plan your visit around music, art, festivals or sport. With vibrant entertainment area of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs there is always something to do. 

The Scarborough Sunset Markets are a must-go, beach-based markets on every Saturday afternoon from 3.00pm to 8.00pm during winter and every Thursday evening during summer, from 5.00pm to 9.00pm! Hunt down a unique gift, or treat yourself from the offerings across a diverse array of creative stores. When shopping makes you hungry, choose from over 60 international cuisines from food vendors and grab a refreshing drink from the Market Bar. 

Catch one of the sporting events, annual Christmas carols or festivals that are regularly held at the open-air Scarborough Amphitheatre. You might even want to join a Brazilian Beach Carnival or social dancing like the Brazilian and Latin dance nights and learn some new moves.

To help make your shortlist, head to the City of Stirling events calendar to see what’s on.

There are a number of ways to get to and from Scarborough with multiple travel options including frequent buses, shared paths and Safe Active Street (Moorland/Manning Street), rideshare and taxi options. To find out more on parking and transport across Scarborough please visit 'Getting to and parking in Scarborough'.

The City is also currently reviewing parking and wayfinding around Scarborough Beach precinct to help address congestion and parking in the area. 

The City is in the very early stages of exploring a proposal for a boardwalk as an iconic, world class tourist attraction that will link Perth’s best beaches – from Scarborough to Trigg Beach.

Preservation and future-proofing of our stunning 7km of City coastline and dune systems is critical for the City, so any future design concept would need to be environmentally sustainable, protect the natural ecosystem and improve access while also showcasing our beaches with an iconic experience.

Proposals have been raised since as early as 2005, with the focus being on solutions to move pedestrians from the walkway along West Coast Highway, but we now want to ask the community what they want to see while also promoting, preserving and enhancing our natural coastline.

In March 2024, the City held a Council workshop to discuss the project and there was general support from Elected Members to develop the first stage of this project in 2024/25. The City is focused on environmental studies and extensive community consultation before any design.

The Coastal Boardwalk Feasibility Study was one of many projects included in the City’s Corporate Business Plan 2024-28, which will explore the feasibility of establishing a coastal boardwalk between Trigg and Scarborough Beach. 

The City of Stirling’s public art includes exceptional quality, stimulating artworks which form an integral part of each place and community, reflecting their environment and enhancing our City’s thriving neighbourhoods and places.

The many public artworks located within the Scarborough precinct celebrate our Aboriginal/Nyoongar culture, storytelling and traditions, along with the unique identity and social heritage of the area.

Current recreation facilities at Scarborough Beach include:

• Scarborough Beach Pool
• Intergenerational skate plaza
• Skate bowl
• Climbing wall
• Basketball and outdoor exercise equipment
• Beach Volleyball
• Scarborough Surf Life Saving Club.

Climbing wall upgrade

The City of Stirling will be undertaking maintenance works to the climbing wall throughout June 2024. 

Works will include replacing the existing softfall matting and installing new balustrade to the climbing wall roof. 

The Climbing wall will be fenced off during construction.

Scarborough beach hire 

The City of Stirling has also embarked on a two-year trial of beach equipment hire and storage locker services at Scarborough Beach. Council approved the trial in August 2023, with two private operators – Scarborough Beach Hire and Mobile Lockers Australia. 

Scarborough Beach Hire available products include umbrella, lounge chair and towel hire operating 7.00am – 6.00pm, seven days per week throughout summer school holidays and on weekends during the school term.

Mobile Lockers Australia services offer both hourly and per day options in large and small sizes, and operate 6.00am – 9.00pm, seven days a week.

To find out more about beach hire at Scarborough Beach - click here.

The City of Stirling and WA Police Force are focused on community safety and policing to ensure Scarborough Beach remains a destination for everyone to enjoy. During summer, large numbers of people visit Scarborough to swim, surf, experience the sunset markets and other events, enjoy the amphitheatre and public spaces, and to attend the many entertainment venues within the precinct. The City and WA Police resources work year round to keep the community safe with a specific focus on maintaining a family friendly environment.

This is directly supported by the City’s extensive CCTV network – including fixed and mobile CCTV. Through live monitoring of the network on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays WA Police Force are provided with real-time information and footage to enable a swift response to incidents. 

In the water, the City’s professional beach lifeguard service - in collaboration with volunteer Surf Life Saving services - works to keep people from getting into difficulties in the surf and provide first aid to beachgoers requiring assistance. Over the last 12 months, the City’s Beach Services performed a total of 438 rescues, undertook 30,528 preventative actions, and treated 440 first aid cases.

For anti-social behaviour issues, we encourage the community to contact the City’s 24/7 Community Safety Team on 1300 365 356. For non-urgent police matters, contact WA Police Force on 131 444 and for emergencies or life-threatening situations, the community should always contact 000.

Scarborough Beach is just 20 minutes from the Perth CBD and is one of the most famous and popular beaches in Western Australia.

Home to WA’s only beachside pool which is geo-thermally heated so it can be used all year round. The award winning redevelopment boasts wide promenades, a skate park, children’s playground, climbing wall, half-court basketball area and the ever-popular Sunset Hill.

Home to world class events such as the Scarborough Beach Markets, Scarborough has a range of bars, cafes, and restaurants and lots of beach front hotels to self-contained accommodation with views over the Indian Ocean.

The City of Stirling is a vibrant hub of activity with many things to see and do, to find out all of the exciting way to explore Scarborough - click here.