Perth’s station precincts reform continues to advance, with the broad picture becoming clearer as each stage is delivered.

What was announced as a concept in November 2025 has now taken firmer shape with the Station Precincts Improvement Plan No. 65, which sets the broad planning direction for eight locations across the city.

The plan maps precincts generally within 800m of each Metronet station, with denser cores near the platforms and softer frames transitioning into existing streets as they move further from the rail line.

Locating more homes close to public transport, services and established infrastructure is sound planning, offering more housing choice in places where everyday life need not depend on a car.

With that broad direction now largely settled, the focus needs to shift to how that growth is delivered so each neighbourhood comes out better for it, rather than simply denser.

The State Government’s own guidance sets an appropriate standard here, recognising that accommodating growth in station precincts requires a shift away from car-dependent travel, supported by safe and direct walking and cycling connections, streets designed for comfortable movement and parking managed to avoid oversupply.

An apartment building can provide much-needed homes but its contribution to a place is determined by what happens beyond its front door – whether the walk to the station is safe and pleasant, whether crossings, paths and cycling routes are direct, and whether there is shade in summer, greenery in the street and public space that works for everyday life.

Heritage and local character deserve the same approach, and the State Government’s guidance rightly acknowledges station precincts are places where change is expected, and heritage values need not preclude development, provided that change is managed sensitively through appropriate scale, transitions and high-quality design.

This is not a choice between preserving Perth’s suburbs as they are and building the homes they need. Instead, well-designed density knits a neighbourhood together, making everyday journeys easier and public space more worth using, while better amenity is what turns new housing from something residents merely tolerate into something they genuinely welcome.

Each station precinct will bring its own mix of constraints and opportunities, and the forthcoming Station Precincts Improvement Scheme is where that nuance gets tested and the moment the State Government’s ambitions are translated into planning controls supporting supply.

Done well, growth can leave every neighbourhood healthier, greener and more connected than it was before.