The Armadale Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Sub-committee members, Paul Harrison from Beaver Trees and Daniel Bremer from Swatapest, recently met with local Member for Armadale and Hon. Dr Tony Buti MLA, Deputy Premier of Western Australia, to discuss the findings of the Kelmscott Business Advocacy Project and the challenges facing businesses operating within the town centre.

The meeting forms part of the Chamber's ongoing commitment to representing the interests of local businesses and ensuring that the concerns of business owners are heard by decision-makers at all levels of government.

Over recent months, the Chamber has engaged with local businesses throughout the Kelmscott Town Centre Precinct. Through surveys, walk-throughs, and direct consultation, a number of recurring themes emerged, including concerns around the condition and presentation of the precinct, safety and security, accessibility, economic activity, and the long-term impacts of both COVID-19 and the Albany Highway road project.

One of the key outcomes of the discussion was a commitment to explore a meeting with Main Roads Western Australia to better understand the status of outstanding works, repairs, maintenance requirements, and elements of the Albany Highway project that businesses believe remain incomplete or have deteriorated over time.

Many businesses have expressed concerns that aspects of the project have not delivered the outcomes originally anticipated and that several areas of the town centre continue to require attention. The Chamber believes it is important that these concerns are reviewed collaboratively and that businesses are given the opportunity to provide direct feedback to the relevant agencies.

We appreciate Hon. Tony Buti's willingness to support a future meeting with Main Roads and to continue the conversation regarding opportunities for investment and revitalisation within Kelmscott.

The Chamber also welcomed discussions regarding the City of Armadale's recently announced Shopfront Improvement Grant Program, which will provide eligible businesses with access to matched funding of up to $5,000 to improve the appearance of their premises. This initiative represents an important first step in supporting local business confidence and enhancing the presentation of the precinct.
Additional discussion focused on broader opportunities to improve the attractiveness, accessibility, and activation of the town centre, particularly as future government investment and development projects are considered for the area.

The Chamber remains committed to working constructively with local, state, and federal stakeholders to advocate for practical improvements that will support business growth, increase visitation, and help restore confidence in Kelmscott as a commercial destination.

We thank Hon. Tony Buti for taking the time to meet with representatives of the Chamber and local businesses, and we look forward to continuing to work together on initiatives that will deliver meaningful outcomes for the Kelmscott business community.

The Kelmscott Advocacy Project is ongoing, and we encourage local businesses to continue sharing their experiences and priorities as we work collectively to build a stronger future for the precinct.

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