Residents who successfully campaigned for heritage listing of King Neptune are calling for the spirit of Two Rocks and Atlantis to be retained in the so far undeveloped public open space next to the statue.

The residents envision a new access path from the public open space on the eastern side of King Neptune linking up with part of the existing path that already provides access to the statue.

Along with a safer access path the residents are keen to have some of the ideas put forward by Two Rocks resident Bruce Nicholl at a May 10, 2022 City of Wanneroo council meeting (although his original proposal involved using more land than the 1ha of public open space available).

Two Rocks residents told Hannah Beazley, who is Parliamentary Secretary to Planning and Lands Minister John Carey, of their concerns the community could lose the public open space east of King Neptune if RAAFA WA is successful in having the public open space shifted.

They also expressed concerns about current access to the 10m-high statue, which is a popular tourist attraction, although there are no visitor statistics available.

RAAFA WA confirmed in May 2022 it wanted to have the public open space shifted to the Lisford Ave and Sovereign Dr intersection.

At the time RAAFA WA chief executive officer John Murray said discussions between RAAFA and the City of Wanneroo about the transfer of the public open space were underway and they expected to finalise the transfer in coming weeks.

But also in May 2022, when former Lands minister Rita Saffioti confirmed the public open space had been ceded by the Fini Group to the State of Western Australia the city said it had not received or accepted a request for the management order of the public open space and it was currently unallocated crown land.

In June last year the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) said RAAFA was seeking to exchange a portion of Lot 701 Azzurra St, Two Rocks, which is Crown land, for a portion of the adjoining Lot 700 Enterprise Ave, owned by RAAFA.

At the time a spokeswoman said the department would consider the request and take into account the most optimal use of the land and any land use planning implications.

Ms Beazley said in relation to visitor data she thought the local government would want to know the numbers in terms of then being able to invest in the area and make it into a proper drawcard.

“I was very excited to come out and see King Neptune (as) he’s a figure from my youth,’’ she said.

A King Neptune public open space concept plan showing an entry ramp on the western side of the statue.

“But it’s not exactly the most accessible place to come and visit so that would definitely be hampering numbers.’’

She said the residents had made a very good case for the land between the community centre and King Neptune staying in public hands.

Two Rocks resident Allan Shuttleton said he would also like the public open space to extend westwards to the marina.

She said she would take back to Minister John Carey the comments made by all the residents.

“I would like to congratulate the community on being powerful advocates for this space, it’s how you make change – it comes from the ground up.’’

According to a memo to the Metropolitan Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) dated April 29, 2022 (pages 99 107) the Two Rocks local development plan No 1, included that the public open space was located and configured to ensure the protection of and access to King Neptune.

The Two Rocks local development plan No 1 was approved by City of Wanneroo councillors in 2018 after community consultation was carried out from April 11 to May 11 in 2017.

The graphic released for the community consultation includes the public open space to the east of King Neptune.

The memo also includes a King Neptune public open space concept plan (see graphic above) showing an entry ramp on the western side.

“The concept plan enables sweeping vistas of the King Neptune statue as well as substantial amenity to the community,’’ the memo says.

“The intent at the time was that this concept plan was prepared at a high level only with detail to be provided at a later date following further community engagement and technical advice.”

The meeting between Ms Beazley and Two Rocks residents was organised by Butler MLA John Quigley who in January said it had been a big effort by the community to get King Neptune recognised for its heritage value

Yanchep resident and Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association president Alex Figg who works in Mr Quigley’s electorate office is one of four people to nominate for the North ward in the Saturday, October 21 local government elections.

This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 9 September 2023.