The Western Australian government unveiled plans to redevelop the former ECU Mount Lawley campus into a mixed-use urban village with 900 to 1,100 homes, a new primary school, public open spaces, and a Creative Industries hub that leverages the WAAPA facilities and library.

A planning assessment highlights opportunities to preserve heritage while delivering inclusive, leafy public spaces and a vibrant urban village.

Housing Minister John Carey signaled that first housing releases could occur around 2030, with the overall project extending over a longer 10 to 15-year horizon.

The masterplan presenters stressed balancing new development with protection of WAAPA facilities due to their cultural importance.

The plan prioritizes pedestrian-friendly design, featuring a central north-south boulevard, green east-west links, shared streets, better bus connections, and early works including undergrounding of transmission lines.

Officials acknowledge redevelopment challenges but say there is demand for fit-for-purpose creative spaces, with respect for local history and WAAPA attachment.

A portion of the housing will be social and affordable, with a mix of terraced and higher-density options.

More than 15% of the site will be public open space, with about 19% canopy coverage, and spaces like the Creative Hub Plaza, Cultural Garden, and Lake Park designed for markets, performances, and nature play while reflecting local heritage.

The Creative Hub will use existing rehearsal rooms and facilities to host arts and performance venues, aiming to attract private and not-for-profit tenants under government ownership and lease arrangements.

The plan repurposes student accommodation to broader housing needs, shifting from education-centric use to community-focused living.

Leaders emphasize job creation, education opportunities, support for the creative industries, heritage preservation, and substantial public open space as core outcomes.

Site ownership transfers to government by the end of 2026, with demolition and initial redevelopment to start soon after and housing online no earlier than 2030, marking a 10 to 15-year renewal.