The Peel Terrace project stems from an upgrade to a significant entry point to the town of Busselton, initially involving the installation of new road traffic treatments.

The Shire held a two day design workshop in February, in conjunction with artsource, to develop a wholistic concept plan for the site area which would address community use and cultural significance. The workshop identified a number of existing features, both natural and man made, including the Waljin Aboriginal Garden, Rotary Park and weekend market area, playground, Busselton Visitor Centre, the Old Butter Factory, Heritage Park, picnic areas on the Vasse River and St Mary's historic stone church. Workshop participants, including Shire engineers and planners, environmental consultant, artsource and three artists, referenced the Shire's Town Centre Guide Plan, Cultural Mapping Report and Cultural Plan. The workshop also took into consideration a proposed wetlands interpretive centre, on the edge of the site area, which will, as a separate project, develop educational and environmental themes.

The resulting concept plan and report recommended the development of interpretive trails, plaques and artworks with suggested themes of early rail, early settlement, indigenous sites, meeting places and totems and environmental projects.

The Shire then commissioned South West artist Lance Chadd to develop a design to the roundabout, pavements and islands which reflected the colours of the landscape as related to the indigenous six seasons, alongside European seasons and the calendar months of the year. The roundabout was completed in June 2007 and is considered to be Stage One of the project.

The next stage of the process is to bring together a reference group comprised of members of the local Historical Society, environmental groups, service groups such as Rotary and the RSL and indigenous representatives to develop an interpretation and design plan for the area, which covers landscaping elements, interpretive trails and plaques and artworks.

The value of this project is in community discovery and presentation of its history.

The Shire's Cultural Plan recommends "that times and places for the coming together of indigenous history and migrant history and culture need to become regular customs." The area is rich in significance and the development of an interpretation plan will be followed by an implementation stage and a public launch/celebration.

Please see attachments below for the workshop report and concept plan.