When the City of Gosnells decided to build a new civic facility as part of Gosnells Town Centre Revitalisation scheme, the emphasis was put firmly on community. The City needed a civic complex that would not only meet the needs of today’s community but also the changing needs of future generations.
It had to be a centre that offered something for everyone, a seemingly difficult task in a City that has become one of Australia’s fastest growing Local Government regions. However, since The Agonis – the City’s new landmark town centre building opened in late 2004, it has delivered services beyond expectations.
Aptly named after Agonis linearifolia, a beautiful native flowering shrub found along the nearby Canning River, the centre takes its name from the Greek word agonis meaning gathering or cluster. The Agonis is just that. A collection of people, facilities and services and an essential gathering place for the whole community.
With its state of the art Knowledge Centre, Gosnells Centre for Business Development, Gosnells Community Lotteries House, function and meeting rooms and interpretive centre, The Agonis has brought people together to socialise, learn new skills, find information or just relax.
One of Western Australia’s most outstanding library facilities, the Knowledge Centre is more of a global learning resource centre than a library. It features a technology lab, teen lounge, kids corner, language centre, community lounge and local history section.
Its “bookstore” layout gives the community easy access to their favourite reads with special collections under the titles of crime-mystery, romance, fantasy-sci-fi and thriller.
In just six months, the Knowledge Centre has become one of the City’s most popular venues. Membership is up by 72 per cent with more than 12,000 people a month visiting this amazing facility.
The Agonis also represents the highest standards in universal design access, urban design and environmental efficiency, making it the first commercial building in the State to achieve a 4.5 star rating under the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme.
Having taken the bold step to reverse problems of economic and social decline under its Town Centre Revitalisation scheme, the City of Gosnells is looking to a bright future. Public artworks, colourful streetscapes, a new Gosnells Railway Station, new parking areas for shoppers, pedestrian and cycle paths and massive traffic improvements have all been completed.
A new Town Square will open this month, while a tree top walk, to take town centre visitors to the adjacent Canning River foreshore, picnic and play areas in Pioneer Park, is about to be developed.
Today, the Town Centre has a fresh, vibrant feel. Commercial vacancies are under 10 per cent and residential property prices have increased by 20 per cent in one year.
