THE Sun City precinct in Two Rocks, which includes the King Neptune statue, has been included on the State Register of Heritage Places.
The precinct includes the Two Rocks Marina and Shopping Centre and the former Atlantis Marine Park site.
Two Rocks residents ramped up campaigning for the precinct to be heritage protected when a Woolworths Shopping Centre was proposed for just south of the statue
Heritage Minister David Templeman said the listing recognised the significant contribution the seaside precinct had made to WA’s heritage, as the first residential, commercial and recreational investment project undertaken by a private company in the 1970s.
In 1972, developers launched the Yanchep Sun City “leisure city” with the Two Rocks marina to be built as a training base for the 1974 challenge for the America’s Cup.
The Sun City Yacht Club was also established around this time and many of the streets in Two Rocks were named after yachts challenging for, or defending, the America’s Cup.
The early 1970s the Sun City precinct development including the former Atlantis Marine Park put Two Rocks and the Yanchep region on the map. Picture: Anita McInnesPlans for the development of the former Atlantis Marine Park were announced in 1981 and included the King Neptune statue – now a local landmark.
The listing recognises the social and historical significance of the precinct because of its role in contributing to the development of the Two Rocks and Yanchep region in the 1970s and 1980s.
Mr Templeman said in the early 1970s the Sun City precinct development put Two Rocks and the Yanchep region on the map – in more ways than one.
Plans for the development of the former Atlantis Marine Park were announced in 1981 and included the King Neptune statue – now a local landmark. Picture: Anita McInnes“The precinct marketed this beautiful part of our state to Western Australians, Australians and the international market, as both a recreational hotspot and residential development,’’ he said.
“Today, the area connects many Western Australians, and particularly the local Two Rocks and Yanchep communities, to the memories and experiences of that time.
“This listing ensures that the cultural heritage values of the Sun City precinct will continue to be recognised by future generations of Western Australians.”
Butler MLA John Quigley said it had been a big effort by the local community to get King Neptune and the surrounding precinct recognised for its heritage value.
“It is a win for the local community and a win for heritage in our state.”
