‘Transformative’ WA Quarry Plan Proposes 1000 Homes

A project that would deliver up to 1000 homes has been unveiled for the site of a former sand quarry just south of Perth.

The “major urban renewal initiative” by WA’s land development agency DevelopmentWA would transform the 30ha site, of which 22ha is owned by the state government.

Located in the south Perth suburb of Bentley, it would be developed into a “vibrant inclusive community” and boost housing supply for the West.

The vision for the Bentley Redevelopment Area, off Manning Road in the City of Canning, is to “revitalise and reconnect the redevelopment area and surrounds through the promotion of positive change that creates a diverse and sustainable residential community”, the government said.

It would spark a “transformative new chapter for Bentley”, according to the government.

One in seven homes would be dedicated to social and affordable housing, according to the first stage plans, and there would be a focus on detached and terrace housing. 

The masterplan also includes medium-density development of apartment blocks of up to six storeys, with options for student accommodation and key worker housing.

▲ The Bentley masterplan would feature single detached, semi-detached, terrace, and apartment housing.

The site earmarked for development was the subject of sand mining from the 1940s to the 1970s.

The old quarry has since been backfilled and will require earthworks and remediation to support residential development. 

The site is near Curtin University, the Bentley Technology Park, the Canning River and Albany Highway dining and entertainment area with “good accessibility” to the centre of Perth, about 8km away.

The Western Australian Planning Commission has approved DevelopmentWA’s stage 1 subdivision application to deliver 46 residential lots and two development sites, and subdivision works will begin in early November.

▲ A render of homes planned for the former quarry site.

The Bentley Redevelopment Area was established in May of this year due to “significantly changed market conditions” and need for long-term housing supply in Perth, according to WA Lands and Housing Minister John Carey. 

The masterplan for the site is now open for public consultation via Development WA’s website.

A previous 1500-home plan, dubbed Bentley 360, was proposed for the same tract of land, and the public housing Brownlie Towers were demolished on the site in 2019, but a suitable private developer could not be found and it did not proceed. 

The WA Government has been conspicuous in its efforts to support housing development in the state. This year DevelopmentWA acquired a $51-million waterfront site for redevelopment and also has filed a build-to-rent project for 219 apartments in inner-Perth.