WA Fast-Tracks Social Housing with Prefab Builds

Repeatable designs and prefabrication have helped the WA Government whip up 81 new homes across six developments in impressive timeframes. 

DevelopmentWA and builder Dale Alcock Homes completed 10 social homes at Champion Lakes, designed by Zest Architects, in nine months.

Dale Alcock Homes also helped deliver 11 homes at Mirrabooka in seven months, 12 homes in Hamilton Hill in 10 months, and will deliver another 32 with construction starting in 2026. 

Meanwhile at Kwinana, about a 30-minute drive south of Perth CBD, eight homes were built by Highbury Homes in as many months, and another eight homes are being delivered by Summit Homes with completion expected next year. 

The Champion Lakes homes—seven two-bed and three one-bed homes that achieved a 7-star NatHERS energy rating—used repeatable design as well as prefabricated roofs and walls to accelerate delivery times. 

▲ Landscape architects TDL are also working on the Mount Lawley project.

Elsewhere, a community housing project is also in progress at Mount Lawley in the inner-north of Perth.

Plans have been filed by Rowe Group on behalf of Bethanie Housing Limited for a community housing development for over-55s, and the project is now on exhibition with the City of Vincent.

Bethanie Housing wants to build six interconnected buildings up to five storeys to house 90 apartments. 

Its plans for 204-236 East Parade, 2-42 Guildford Road and 35 Stanley Street consist of 48 one-bedroom and 42 two-bedroom homes, with communal facilities, management offices and a cafe. 

Designed by Matthews & Scavalli Architects, the proposal would “provide affordable, secure, and age-appropriate accommodation for older Western Australians within walking distance of public transport, shops, and recreational amenities”.

The 1.6ha site is 2.5km from Perth CBD, and is amalgamated from 39 land parcels, the majority owned by government entities. 

The application also seeks approval to demolish heritage-listed buildings, however, previous attempts by the Western Australian Planning Commission to remove the building have been blocked by the council. 

The City of Vincent registered a heritage conservation notice over the site, which is being challenged at the State Administrative tribunal. 

However, despite the potential hiccup, the housing provider said it would provide an “exemplary community housing development that combines social purpose, design excellence, and environmental sustainability”.