Up to 1100 homes will be built on the old Edith Cowan University campus in Mount Lawley, but that likely won’t occur until 2030, Housing Minister John Carey has revealed.
Carey and Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk revealed the masterplan for the 18.6 hectare site on prized inner-city land on Tuesday.
The masterplan includes between 900 and 1100 homes, which will be a mix of medium-density terrace housing and some apartment towers alongside a new shopping precinct.
The plan also includes a new primary school and repurposed ECU library and WA Academy of Performing Arts buildings that will become a “creative hub”.
“I think we’ve struck the balance right here,” Carey said.
“I think what people will be really excited about … more is that we are retaining the WAAPA facilities.
“It would have been, perhaps, easier just to have demolished it all and started again, but retaining the WAAPA facilities is in line with our commitments, but also the recognition that this place does have history.
“You can’t ignore it. It’s a beloved tradition held by the local community, and we’re recognising that.”
With the state in the grips of a housing crisis, Carey conceded this would be a long-term project.
He said the campus wouldn’t be handed back to the government until the end of the year and there was still lots of work to do in terms of a structure plan and remediation works of the site.
“I’ve learned that these can be challenging sites. That’s why I’m always up front. This is a long-term project, but I think everyone would agree there’s a huge opportunity here to create an incredible urban village with a creative hub, new housing, green spaces,” he said.
The campus is largely empty after the $853 million ECU city campus opened this week, where most of the ECU Mount Lawley and WAAPA teaching activity now takes place.
The creative hub, which will use the old WAAPA buildings, would be used by community groups and businesses.
McGurk said she was confident it wouldn’t be a white elephant.
“I understand those concerns. It is quite a big footprint, but there is also quite a bit of demand for fit for purpose space, performance space and rehearsal space for our creative industries,” she said.
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Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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