A long-awaited sewer upgrade in Kenwick is finally moving forward, opening the door for new housing and commercial development near the train station.
The Water Corporation has advised the City of Gosnells that all statutory approvals are now in place for the Kenwick infill sewer program, with tenders expected to open later this month.
Once contractors are appointed, construction plans will be submitted for review by external agencies and timeframes will become clearer.
The project will connect around 90 landholdings across the Wanaping, Kenwick North, Kenwick South and Kenwick West structure plan areas, many of which have been held back from redevelopment due to a lack of deep sewerage. This is an essential step that residents have been calling for over many years.
City of Gosnells Mayor Terresa Lynes said the upgrade had been a long time coming.
She said the city was now taking the next step by initiating structural planning for a new precinct along Royal Street.
“With its proximity to Kenwick Train Station and surrounding employment areas, the Royal Street precinct is a key opportunity to deliver quality medium-density housing alongside commercial land-use.
“Further planning is needed to ensure efficient use of land while protecting green spaces, biodiversity and the local environment.”
“All relevant stakeholders, including affected landowners, will be consulted as part of the planning process, once all technical and servicing reports have been prepared,” Mayor Lynes added.
The city will appoint external consultants to begin work on a range of technical and environmental studies before community consultation begins. These will include infrastructure feasibility, traffic and transport assessments, hydrological and geotechnical investigations, bushfire mitigation, and indigenous heritage reviews.
Mayor Lynes said structure plans would support higher density where appropriate and help guide land use to align with future infrastructure.
Local member for Cannington Ron Sao said the upgrade would make a meaningful difference in the community.
“I’m pleased that the project is progressing. As I understand, Water Corporation is aiming to release the competitive contract tender process soon and I expect that Water Corporation will update its communications to residents as these works progress,” he said.
“I have spoken directly to residents and given my commitment that I will continue to monitor Water Corporation’s progress of this important local infrastructure project.”
“This infrastructure upgrade will allow residents to unlock their land and eventually deliver more and diverse housing options for our community. Being so close to public transport and major road infrastructure, it will eventually deliver on the potential of the area.”
Mr Sao said the development of a structure plan was “an appropriate and required step in the planning process” and confirmed it was the responsibility of the City of Gosnells.
Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the State Government was committed to supporting infill development in well-connected areas like Kenwick.
“The Cook Labor Government is doing everything it can to drive further infill development, especially along public transport corridors and near activity centres,” he said.
“Our government, through Water Corporation, continues to deliver on the Strategic Water Infrastructure Program to unlock more than 15,000 new homes across Perth, including in Kenwick and Maddington.”
He said the program built on the State’s $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund and a further $400 million Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund, which is focused on delivering water and power services to unlock residential land.
Minister Carey also praised the City of Gosnells’ planning efforts.
“The City’s new local planning scheme supports greater urban development, including by lifting the minimum density allowed around key transport hubs,” he said.
“With the new Thornlie to Cockburn link and the reopening of an improved Armadale line, this will mean more homes connected to public transport, services and amenity. It also demonstrates a positive example of State and local governments working together to increase housing supply.”
Once delivered, the Kenwick sewer project and Royal Street precinct plan could help transform one of the area’s most underutilised pockets into a thriving, transit-connected community.
