Population growth could boost the property market.
Camera IconPopulation growth could boost the property market. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

City of Wanneroo set to overtake Stirling as Perth’s most populated local government area

Laura PondStirling Times

THE City of Wanneroo is set to overtake Stirling to become Perth and Peel’s most populated local government area by 2050.

Figures in the Perth and Peel@3.5million frameworks released by the State Government, which maps the region’s transition to accommodating 3.5 million people by 2050, project Wanneroo would grow by 376,490 residents to have a population of 536,700 in 2050.

Stirling currently has the highest population (209,040 recorded in 2011), followed by the cities of Joondalup, Wanneroo, Swan and Gosnells.

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But the sub-regional planning frameworks anticipate that by 2050 Wanneroo will lead, with Stirling climbing to 341,780 residents, followed by Swan with 290,400, Rockingham at 235,940 and Joondalup having a relatively small increase to 203,560.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said about 800,00 new homes were needed to accommodate the increased population, with almost half provided through increased infill development predominantly in existing suburbs and key public transport locations.

The 47 per cent infill target will see about 215,000 dwellings (56 per cent of total infill) built in the central sub-region comprising local governments from Stirling to Bassendean, Belmont, Fremantle and Cottesloe, and 165,000 homes built in the outer north-west, north-east and south metropolitan sub-regions.

More than 146,000 additional dwellings are slated for Wanneroo, an extra 73,000 for Swan, more than 61,100 in the Shire of Murray, 60,000 in Stirling and 51,000 in Rockingham to match the local government’s increased population.

Outer suburb areas are set for the biggest percentage increases in residents; Murray is set to grow by a whopping 1012 per cent, the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale by 511 per cent, Shire of Waroona will increase by 390 per cent and Wanneroo by 235 per cent.

But the inner city is also growing, with the City of Perth having the next highest growth of 191 per cent.

The documents were released for public consultation in 2015 by the previous government but have been revised to include the current government’s Metronet plan.

Ms Saffioti said the plans would be reviewed in three years.

“We want to create dynamic communities where people live close to where they work; where they are supported by world-class public transport networks; and where they have parks and shops and all other amenities that contribute to the great WA lifestyle,” she said.

“Perth and Peel@3.5million will guide future development across the Perth and Peel regions, and provide certainty on land supply and where new homes and jobs will be located.

“These whole-of-government plans define the urban form through a co-ordinated approach to land use and infrastructure planning.”

They detail future activity centres, transport networks, areas designated for industrial and green spaces, and required infrastructure upgrades.

“They lay the groundwork for highly liveable, vibrant new communities particularly through greater infill development,” Ms Saffioti said.

“These documents are not static; they will grow and evolve, as the State will, to ensure they continue to be relevant and respond to our changing landscape.”