A HIGH density residential project “in the heart of the Joondalup city centre” will help relieve infill target pressures on the local government, according to Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton.
Connect Joondalup is part of a wider State Government project that will deliver 5000 new homes in ‘The Precincts’ – Joondalup, Bentley, Beaconsfield and Cannington – during the next 15 years, aiming to set a new benchmark for medium-to-high density urban infill in WA.
The government today called for expressions of interest (EOI) from private developers to create “neighbourhoods with heart and soul” for the first two projects – Connect Joondalup and Bentley 360.
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READ NOWSituated between Joondalup Drive, McLarty Avenue and Grand Boulevard, Connect Joondalup will see about 1600 new dwellings built on the 10.1ha site, with construction expected to inject $1.185 billion into the State’s economy and create almost 2470 jobs.
Ms Hamilton said it would create a community hub with easy access to retail, commercial and educational facilities.
“It leads the way in demonstrating how to incorporate high quality medium and high density developments at a suitable location in our community,” she said.
“This project will not only deliver thoughtful and strategic infill in the CBD of Joondalup, it will bring jobs to the local area for the duration of the development.”
Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said the City was “excited about the prospect of seeing development and growth in the Joondalup city centre”.
“We see it as important for job creation, as well as important for activating our CBD and creating vibrancy,” he said.
“The City understands this initial EOI process is the first step in a broader development strategy for the Connect Joondalup site and the City looks forward to continuing to engage with the Department of Communities and its future development partner as the development unfolds.
Premier Mark McGowan said Connect Joondalup aimed to “continue the transformation around the Joondalup centre, creating a community hub linked to Metronet”.
Urban Development Institute of Australia WA chief executive Allison Hailes said the property industry welcomed the announcement.
“It is important, given some of the reservations in local communities about urban infill and increasing density, that we show the positive results that can be achieved through good planning and urban design,” she said.
“We should be maximising these areas potential, particularly when in close proximity to public transport and major services and amenities.
“The Precincts are likely to provide a range of housing options including more social and affordable housing and a mix of dwelling types to suit a range of households needs.
“The people of Joondalup and Victoria Park should be excited about the opportunities and improvements that these developments will provide to the local area.”
Housing Minister Peter Tinley said The Precincts would launch a new approach to the way the Department of Communities released “significant land parcels in highly sought-after locations” and in how it collaborated with the development industry.
“These projects represent WA’s biggest ever collection of infill opportunities and they will offer developers the chance to access prime State-owned land that supports medium-to-high density development,” he said.
Transport and Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said the program embraced the State Government’s infill targets, “leveraging links between land use and transport planning to create integrated and connected communities”.
The Department of Communities is undertaking a three-stage procurement process to identify a suitable developer for Connect Joondalup and Bentley 360.
Expressions of interest close at 2.30pm on Wednesday, July 25.
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