AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025
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With Australia gearing up for the AUKUS trilateral security partnership, the coastal city of Rockingham, 45km south of Perth in Western Australia, is perfectly poised to benefit from this mammoth defence project as the Commonwealth Government invests $8 billion in the HMAS Stirling naval base, and thousands of new jobs are created.
Rockingham has been growing rapidly for many years as people discover the unique lifestyle offered by its spectacular coastline, gorgeous beaches and its more affordable cost of living in comparison to Perth’s other metropolitan centres.
It remains one of Australia’s fastest-growing local government areas with a population of 143,653 (ABS ERP 2022) that is forecast to increase to 186,101 people by 2036.
Strategically located just 12km from the proposed Westport Harbour, 30km from Fremantle Port, and 51 km from Perth Airport, Rockingham is well connected with roads, rail and seaport infrastructure.
It has a diverse economy with lots to offer investors and developers across a range of sectors, including defence, advanced manufacturing, tourism and aged care.
Being home to the nation’s largest naval base, Rockingham has strong ties to the Australian Defence Force.
Its proximity to the base, coupled with the availability of suitably zoned land for development, makes Rockingham the ideal location for businesses looking to become part of a modern and innovative defence administrative centre in Western Australia.
Several high-profile defence industry names, including Leonardo, Saab Systems and Thales, are already based here.
The 1150ha Rockingham Industry Zone (RIZ) was the first industrial estate in WA, the largest in Australia and one of only three nationwide to achieve the UDIA EnviroDevelopment certification, making it a national leader in sustainable industrial development.
With 37km of pristine coastline, Perth’s only north-facing beach [pictured, top], and the internationally renowned Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, Rockingham offers tourism opportunities for hotel, resort style and eco-friendly accommodation development.
Forecast growth in Rockingham’s senior demographic (39,662 people by 2036) provides exciting opportunities for new aged-care and retirement-living developments, medical and assistive services, home aids technology and services, entertainment and retirement living.
As a strategic centre, Rockingham is the capital of the south-west metropolitan region and provides a full range of economic and community services to people far beyond its borders.
In the City Centre precinct a mix of public and private strategic vacant land zoned for a range of development opportunities including mixed-used high-density commercial and residential development.
The Waterfront Village, next to the City Centre, is a vibrant tourism and entertainment precinct underpinned by a planning framework that supports development for major hotel, short-term stay apartments, commercial office space and hospitality-focused retail businesses.
There are more development opportunities coming soon in the Transit Oriented Development village next to Murdoch University’s Rockingham Campus and Rockingham South Metro TAFE.
City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said Rockingham presented a rare opportunity for commercial property developers and businesses.
“We are ready to collaborate with key strategic partners and investors across Australia and throughout the world to capitalise on our fast-growing economy and explore the exciting development opportunities that are waiting to come to life,” Hamblin said.
For more information on investment opportunities in Rockingham visit Rockingham.wa.gov.au/invest
The Urban Developer is proud to partner with Rockingham City Council to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.
