The State Government is going back to the drawing board after a $54 million project previously touted as one of WA’s biggest infill proposals literally failed to get off the ground in Bentley.
On Tuesday, it announced that the former Brownlie Towers — a high-rise State Housing Commission development — would undergo a new masterplan and community engagement for the 22ha site.
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READ NOWThat plan promises diverse housing options with community facilities.
At a City of Canning council meeting on February 20, mayor Patrick Hall conceded the redevelopment of the area was not one the city had “great influence” over but said it was looking forward to to “sod being turned” at some point.
That point might finally be looming, with Development WA confirming remediation works could begin in late 2024, following approvals.
The Bentley landholding has sat largely undisturbed and undeveloped since Brownlie Towers — once considered Perth’s most notorious public housing complex — was finally bowled over in 2019.
Mr Hall told PerthNow this week the delays were not ideal but acknowledged the progression.
“Whilst going back to the drawing board is never ideal and will be disappointing for Bentley residents, I’m just pleased to read that the government is progressing work on this long-awaited project,” he said.
“The City of Canning supports sensible, integrated, community-led planning and I am therefore hopeful that the end result will live up to the expectations of Bentley residents.”
Bentley360 had previously committed to 1500 homes and a redevelopment of the entire precinct into a vibrant residential, cultural and commercial hub.
According to Development WA, no suitable developer was found and the complexity of urban infill developments had seen constraints and delays.
Housing Minister John Carey said on Monday the new project was one of several large-scale redevelopments being undertaken by State Government.
“The Cook Government is tackling a number of large-scale legacy redevelopment projects, which are currently undergoing major renewal works to boost the State’s housing supply, including projects in North Beach, Subiaco, and Bentley,” he said.
Victoria Park MP Hannah Beazley said she was proud the Cook Government was “getting on” with the project.
“This project is a fantastic opportunity for the State Government to deliver high-quality inner-metro infill development to help boost our local housing supply and facilitate broader urban regeneration to what is already a diverse and dynamic community,” she said.