Plans to revitalise the land surrounding the King Neptune statue in Two Rocks into a new public park remain in progress despite years of uncertainty over the site's future. The City of Wanneroo has confirmed it is liaising with the Royal Australian Air Force Association (RAAFA) and its landscaping team on the final detailed design of upgrades to the surrounding area.
Background and Development
The site is owned and being developed by RAAFA, which is responsible for delivering the new public open space under a replacement deed of agreement with the city. Work in the area is expected to improve access to the King Neptune statue through new pathways and connections. Restoration works will be carried out on the existing access path, ramp, and walls leading to the statue.
The new park will be required to include seating and benches, security lighting, signs and public artwork, nature play elements, a picnic shelter, pathways, and wayfinding and interpretive signs.
History of the Statue
The King Neptune statue, which stands 10 metres high, was built in the early 1980s as part of the Atlantis Marine Park site. The statue is one of the few surviving features of the marine park. The site of the old park is being developed into a shopping centre set to open in mid-2026 with a Woolworths and a liquor store. Although the marine park closed in 1990, the statue has become a local landmark and was added to the State Register of Heritage Places in January 2023.
Delays and Challenges
City of Wanneroo director of planning and sustainability Chris Leigh recently said the heritage listing was one of the factors contributing to the project being held up, with the parkland redevelopment flagged since at least 2017. “There have been some technical and legal matters that occurred in the first few years after RAAFA took ownership of the site following its purchase from the Fini Group,” Mr Leigh said in response to questions from councillors at the city’s last council meeting about delays to the plan.
“These matters primarily related to drainage and flood storage requirements. There was also the listing of the King Neptune statue and its surrounds in January 2023, which led to further delays, as RAAFA needed to respond and revisit its design approach to incorporate the new heritage requirements associated with that listing.”
Recent Progress
RAAFA acquired the land on which the statue stands in 2017-18 as part of its broader development plans for the Two Rocks site. According to the city, in June 2025 it agreed in principle to a concept design submitted by RAAFA’s landscape consultant, subject to further detailed design review. It contacted the consultant again in December, but no further updates had been received since June. However, in March the landscape consultant presented the latest concept plan and sought the city’s assistance in identifying potential cost savings to bring the project within budget.
Once RAAFA has completed the project, the city will assume responsibility for the new public open space for long-term management, which it believes will benefit the community. “King Neptune is a treasured local landmark, and the planned enhancements to the surrounding public space present an opportunity to celebrate its significance while creating a more inviting place for the Two Rocks community to enjoy,” a City of Wanneroo spokesperson said.
The final design will be subject to city approval, though the timing and budget remain unclear. The West Australian contacted RAAFA for comment.
