A new suburb, forecast to bring more than 50,000 people to the north coast of Perth in the next 20 years, is underway by developers by Peet Limited.
The first stage of the precinct will provide land for around 3,300 households over the next 12 years, while also kick-starting infrastructure and development in the area.
Plans for the Shoalhaven development, which is located at Alkimos, also include a marina, up to 11 schools and more than 500 hectares of regional open space.
Project architect Ron Marchant, of Zuidveld Marchant Hur, said that it was important to create a high-density neighbourhood to minimise the isolating effects of urban sprawl.
Despite the site’s long, thin shape, the plans are for a walkable neighbourhood with the strong provision of amenity, Marchant told Architecture & Design.
However, creating a sense of place in an environment due for so many changes and with currently few people is challenging, Marchant said.
“We’re trying to draw on the natural environment to create a sense of place. Alkimos does not have many trees. But there is exceptional dune structure. There’s a dune blow out, which is where the coastal village is going to be, it creates a natural amphitheatre in a way.”
Sharnie How Architects is also working on the project, along with urban designers Taylor Burrell Barnet and landscape architects EPCAD Consultants. Arid will be providing sustainability consultancy.
Western Australian treasurer, Troy Buswell, today officially launched the new residential development, which is located nine kilometres north of Mindarie in Perth’s northern coastal corridor.
The development would provide critical land supply in a future growth area of Perth, Buswell said.
Preliminary earthworks commenced in August 2009 following development approval from the City of Wanneroo.
Subdivision approval for Stage 1 of the project was issued by the Western Australian Planning Commission on 17 November 2009, giving the green light for the launch and sales release of the first 20 lots.
