The Armadale Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee recently met with Main Roads Western Australia and representatives from the City of Armadale, following an invitation from the Hon. Tony Buti MLA to continue discussions on the future of the Kelmscott town centre.

The meeting formed part of the Chamber's ongoing advocacy work following the extensive research undertaken with local businesses to better understand the challenges affecting the economic performance of the Kelmscott precinct.

Representing the Chamber were President Deena Syed together with members of the Advocacy Committee, Paul Harrison and Daniel Bremer, who met with representatives from Main Roads WA, the City of Armadale and the Minister's office to discuss practical improvements that could enhance safety, accessibility and the overall experience for businesses, residents and visitors.

A number of important issues were discussed, including:

• Opportunities to improve streetscape maintenance and contractor responsiveness.
• Better lighting throughout the town centre to improve public safety and confidence.
• Road and traffic concerns, including sections of the highway intersection that require further attention.
• Verge maintenance and parking issues affecting accessibility.
• The importance of encouraging more people to shop locally and support Kelmscott businesses.
• New residential land releases and continued business development opportunities that will bring more people into the area.

Following the meeting, the group undertook a walk-through of the Kelmscott town centre, inspecting a number of locations identified by local businesses. This provided an opportunity to discuss issues firsthand, including road conditions, parking, verge maintenance, lighting and pedestrian accessibility, while exploring practical solutions through collaboration.

One of the strongest outcomes from the meeting was the recognition that businesses need greater clarity about which government agency is responsible for different types of infrastructure and maintenance issues. Whether it is a pothole, faulty streetlight, damaged verge or utility fault, reporting issues to the correct organisation helps ensure they are addressed more efficiently.

Main Roads WA also reminded attendees that potholes and road defects on State roads can be reported by calling 138 138, and encouraged businesses to include photographs and precise locations to assist response teams. Main Roads advised they have established response time targets and aim to rectify reported hazards as quickly as possible.

The discussion also highlighted the positive momentum building within Kelmscott. With additional land becoming available for development and continued investment in the area, there is growing confidence that the precinct can attract new residents, new businesses and increased economic activity.

Looking Ahead

The meeting reinforced a shared commitment between government agencies and the Armadale Chamber of Commerce to continue working together to strengthen Kelmscott's economic future as part of our first advocacy project.

As part of the Chamber's ongoing advocacy work, discussions are continuing with key stakeholders regarding opportunities for further engagement and strengthen the Kelmscott Public Realm Strategy. This may include future information and feedback sessions that would provide local businesses and stakeholders with an opportunity to hear project updates, share their experiences, and contribute to future planning and improvements across the precinct.

The Armadale Chamber of Commerce remains committed to working collaboratively with government agencies and community partners to ensure local business perspectives continue to inform the future revitalisation of the Kelmscott Town Centre.

By working collaboratively with government, local businesses and the broader community, the Chamber remains committed to advocating for practical improvements that create a safer, more vibrant and economically stronger Kelmscott.

Where to Report Common Kelmscott Issues

One of the key outcomes from the advocacy meeting was the need to make it easier for businesses and residents to know who is responsible for what. During the discussion, it became clear that many issues are reported to the wrong organisation, resulting in delays and frustration.

The following guide will help businesses report issues to the correct authority.

Issue	Responsible Authority	Where to Report
Potholes on Main Roads	Main Roads WA	Report online to Main Roads WA or call 138 138. Include photos and the exact location where possible.
Traffic signals on State Roads	Main Roads WA	Main Roads WA
Road markings on State Roads	Main Roads WA	Main Roads WA
Dangerous intersections on State Roads	Main Roads WA	Main Roads WA
Street lighting faults	Depends on ownership. Many faults should first be reported to the City of Armadale, while some infrastructure is managed by Western Power. If unsure, contact the City who can direct the request appropriately.
Verge maintenance	City of Armadale	City of Armadale
Footpaths	City of Armadale	City of Armadale
Public gardens and landscaping	City of Armadale	City of Armadale
Public car parks	City of Armadale	City of Armadale
Graffiti on Council assets	City of Armadale	City of Armadale
Drainage and local roads	City of Armadale	City of Armadale
Water leaks or burst water mains	Water Corporation	Water Corporation faults line or website
Power outages or damaged power poles	Western Power	Western Power Faults
Gas leaks	ATCO Gas	Emergency faults line

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