‘Vibrant’ town centre planned around Eglinton station

THE town centre around Eglinton station is set to include shops, businesses, high density housing and a private school.

An activity centre plan, tabled at the November Wanneroo Council meeting, outlined the vision for the development site beside Pipidinny Road.

Urbis submitted the plan on behalf of landowner Eglinton Estates to fast track development of the town centre so it could accommodate the train station.

The station, bus interchange and parking will be built as part of the Yanchep rail extension, with the first train services expected to run in 2022.

Wanneroo Council recommended the WA Planning Commission approve the plan subject to modifications after raising concerns there would not be enough residential development within a 400m walking distance of the station.

The City also said the school should not be located within that walkable catchment area.

The plan proposed having 27,000sq m of retail floor space and 243 to 365 dwellings in the town centre, with a pedestrian-focused main street.

It said the vision for the town centre was a “coastal urban community which is convenient, connected and provides diversity in both people and housing choices”.

“The Eglinton train station facilitates a central core of activity that will flow through to a vibrant high street and shopping centre catering for a variety of needs,” the plan said.

“It is the largest and most vibrant in Eglinton and the main focus of community life during day time and extending into the evening.”

It said there would be parks, plazas and other meeting spaces in the town centre, as well as amenities.

According to the council report, the school would be built in two stages with the primary school facilities expected to be developed by 2030.

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