The Urban Renewal program is a state government initiative and is the largest urban renewal program ever undertaken in Western Australia. The Urban Renewal program has been established to ensure the consolidation and redevelopment of a number of highly visible Department of Housing and Works areas of responsibilty.

There are currently 8 Urban Renewal projects underway in the Perth metropolitan area and a further 9 in country areas.

Urban Renewal program objectives include:

• The reduction in high concentrations of public housing
• The refurbishment of houses for sale to both the public and existing tenants
• Better land utilisation through the re-subdivision/refurbishment of public rental housing
• Infrastructure enhancements (upgrading of streetscapes and public open space)
• Community development.

It should be noted that projects in Ashfield, Armadale, Langford, Lockridge, Karawara, Eastern Horizons (Midland, Midvale, Middle Swan, Swan View and Koongamia) and Kwinana (Calista, Medina, Parmelia and Orelia) have already been completed.

Current metropolitan Urban Renewal projects include:

• Bentley ("Brownlie Towers")*
• Coolbellup
• Mosman Park (“Erama” Complex)
• "New North" (Balga, Girrawheen, Koondoola, and Westminster)
• Hamilton Hill (“Phoenix Rise”)
• Queens Park (“Quattro”)
• Subiaco (“Wandana” Complex)*
• North Beach (“Kinsella Court” Complex)*

(* These are smaller scale projects involving a limited number of properties or the upgrading of a specific complex but are branded under the “Urban Renewal” banner)

Current country Urban Renewal projects include:

• Albany (Spencer Park/Mt Lockyer)
• Bunbury (Carey Park and Withers)
• Collie
• Narrogin
• South Kalgoorlie (“Golden Grove” Estate)
• Geraldton (Karloo, Rangeway, Spalding, Utakarra and Waggrakine)
• Carnarvon (South Carnarvon, Brockman and Morgan Town)
• South Hedland. South Hedland internet site
• Katanning

Further community-based information on the Urban Renewl program.

Bentley "Brownlie Towers"

Under the Bentley project the Department has refurbished 300 units in “Brownlie Towers” which are significant residential apartment towers consisting of two, ten-storey buildings.

The internal refurbishment of the Brownlie Towers complex commenced in 2003 and was completed in September 2006.

The internal refurbishment work included a total fit-out with new kitchen, upgrade of fittings and fixtures in the wet areas, floor coverings, window treatments, painting and security doors.

The external upgrade of the two towers commenced in September 2005 and is expected to be completed by June 2009.  The towers are currently undergoing major external upgrades which include painting, wall cladding, hydraulic services, fire alarm detective system, removal and replacement of balustrades, new roofs, carparking and landscaping.

Coolbellup

The Fini Group (now Mirvac) was contracted to project manage the Coolbellup Urban Renewal Project in March 1999. The project is due to be completed in early 2009.

At the start of the project the Department had a total rental property presence in Coolbellup of 32 per cent. Improved social balance and local community cohesion in Coolbellup has been achieved through a balanced program of dwelling refurbishments and sales to the general public, and dwelling refurbishments and retention as public rental housing.  To date some 382 dwellings have been refurbished and sold, 298 have been refurbished and reoccupied by DHW clients and a further 56 dwellings have been demolished.

The latest available data supplied by the Crime Information Unit of the Western Australian Police Service shows that annual incidence of reported offences in Coolbellup has dropped by some 49 per cent since 1999 (1,012 offences down to 514 offences).

Through the Urban Renewal Project, DHW has carried out substantial improvement works to local community infrastructure. These works are most obvious in Coolbellup's major streets and parks.

New North

In June 1998 the Department signed a contract with McCusker Holdings/Satterley Property Group to project manage the "New North". The "New North" encompasses dwellings within the suburbs of Balga/Koondoola/Girrawheen and Westminster.

The New North involves some 3,062 dwellings in the above four suburbs.

Significant refurbishment activity has already occurred within the project area since its inception. Approximately 980 dwellings have been refurbished and sold, and a further 633 refurbished and returned to the Department for rental purposes. Some 438 dwellings have been demolished; some of which have made way for the development of lots for sale to the general public. Approximately 176 lots have now been sold

The Department, in conjunction with the local authorities involved, has upgraded major roads within the project areas as part of the beautification and upgrading program. These include significant road works and enhancements along Girrawheen Avenue, Balga Avenue, Arkana Avenue, Princess Road, Koondoola Avenue, Montrose Avenue and Amberton Avenue.

The Department and Satterley Property group also continue to work closely with the community. In 2001 and 2006 the New North won the UDIA Award for Excellence in the urban renewal category.

Hamilton Hill (Phoenix Rise)

McCusker/Satterley was appointed as project manager for this refurbishment and revitalisation project in April 2004.

The project is the precinct within the suburb of Hamilton Hill bounded by Phoenix Road, Stock Road, Forest Road, Blackwood Avenue and Rockingham Road.

At project commencement, the Department owned some 35 per cent of the dwellings within the project area.

The project is expected to take six years with completion during 2010. The City of Cockburn and DHW have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to jointly contribute to a program of local infrastructure and streetscape upgrade and renewal though the project. The first step in this process is co-development of a project Masterplan in full consultation with the local community. This took place through the course of 2005 with comprehensive publicity and community comment and input.

To date, 66 properties have been refurbished and sold or are under contract for sale. Some 91 properties have been refurbished and reoccupied by public housing rental clients. A Sales and Information Office has been opened at 1 Jamy Place, Hamilton Hill. This office enables project information and feedback to flow between the community, the project managers and the Department. The Masterplan has received formal endorsement by the Council of the City of Cockburn and DHW.

Queens Park (Quattro)

Web-site: http://www.quattroqueenspark.com.au

In April 2004 Peet & Company Limited was appointed to project manage the Queens Park Urban Renewal Project, named ‘Quattro: The New Queens Park'.

'Quattro: The New Queens Park' is located some 11 km from the Perth CBD in the established suburb of Queens Park.  Located near Carousel Shopping Centre, the employment hub of Welshpool, the natural bushlands of Lesmurdie Falls National Park and with Bickley Reservoir only 10 minutes away,  “Quattro” is ideally situated to suit any lifestyle.

Primarily focusing on the redevelopment of the Maniana precinct, the Quattro project to date has demolished a total of approximately 299 properties.  A total of approximately 280 lots are in the process of being developed.  The first stage of 38 lots is currently on the market for sale to the general public.

In addition, a number of other Department of Housing and Works dwellings throughout Queens Park have been refurbished or demolished as part of the Urban Renewal Program.

For more information on “Quattro: The New Queens Park” please access the Quattro Website.

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Further Information

For further information on the above projects or on the Urban Renewal program please contact Mr Cecil Stapleton on 9222 8120.