More shops, more jobs and high-rise buildings are on the table under a 20-year plan being considered for the Kwinana city centre.
The City of Kwinana is scheduled tonight to consider releasing a precinct plan for the city centre for comment.
It covers an area bounded by Sulphur Road to the north, Meares Avenue to the east, Challenger Avenue to the south, and Gilmore Avenue to the west
The plan is intended to guide the development and growth of this area, which has been called the “premium” commercial activity centre in Kwinana, for the next 20 years.
It covers about 31ha and proposes turning Chisham Avenue into a main street, and allowing taller buildings and greater housing density.
Retail floor space is also planned to be increased from 33,000sqm to 50,000sqm, which is expected to create about 500 new jobs.
It will replace the 2019 city centre master plan. Consultation for it began in 2023.
A report to the council said a new plan was needed to cope with “significant” population growth, including a growing influx of young families.
“This includes provision of retail options that appeal to younger families as well as amenities such as playgrounds and family-friendly hospitality uses,” the report said.
“As these younger families grow and establish themselves in the area, demand will increase for entry-level employment opportunities, community services, and facilities.
“The (plan) anticipates these needs, ensuring the city centre is equipped to support the employment prospects and quality of life of this growing demographic.”
There are 105 residential dwellings in the area but the plan is hoping for more than 900 to be created, taking its population to more than 2500 people.
Sites flagged for potential residential or mixed-use development include land north of Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre and to the south of the Kwinana Recquatic at the junction of Gilmore Avenue and Chisham Avenue.
Buildings will be allowed to go up to four to six storeys across the precinct. Buildings along Robbos Way and Chisham Avenue will be at least two storeys high to create a main street environment.
“While the prospect of buildings exceeding four storeys may be of concern to some, current market conditions, parking requirements, and land values make high-density development above eight storeys unlikely in the short term,” the report said.
It said there was no shortage of parking in the city centre — the latest figures said at best it was half-full — but its distribution may be reconsidered.
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