The Western Australian Government has finalised its Master Plan for the redevelopment of the former Edith Cowan University Mount Lawley campus, outlining a long-term vision for a mixed-use urban precinct that blends housing, green space, education and creative industries.
Located approximately five kilometres north-east of the Perth CBD, the centrally positioned site is set to be transformed into what the State describes as a “vibrant and inclusive urban community”, delivering up to 1,100 new homes alongside significant public open space and retained cultural assets.
The plan follows the closure and consolidation of ECU’s operations and comes after an extended period of community consultation in 2025, during which more than 300 submissions were received.
Up to 1,100 Homes in a Walkable Precinct
At the centre of the Master Plan is the proposal for up to 1,100 dwellings across a mix of housing typologies, including terrace homes, townhouses, grouped housing and apartments.
The housing mix is designed to introduce greater diversity into the Mount Lawley area, offering options for different household types and income levels. Government statements indicate that the redevelopment aims to support broader housing supply objectives by increasing density in an established, well-serviced inner metropolitan location.
The site’s proximity to public transport, schools and commercial amenities is a key feature of the plan. The precinct will incorporate safe and inclusive transport networks catering to pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users and vehicles, reinforcing its walkable design intent.
By situating additional housing within close reach of the Perth CBD and existing infrastructure, the redevelopment aligns with broader urban consolidation policies aimed at limiting urban sprawl while improving access to employment and services.
Significant Public Open Space and Green Corridors
More than 15 per cent of the total site area will be dedicated to public open space, including landscaped areas and green corridors designed to connect to nearby parks and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The Master Plan proposes retaining mature trees where feasible and introducing additional planting to strengthen the urban canopy and provide shade. These measures are intended to support environmental sustainability objectives while improving amenity for residents and visitors.
Green corridors will also function as pedestrian and cycling links, improving connectivity within the precinct and to the broader Mount Lawley area.
The inclusion of substantial open space has been positioned as a response to community feedback, with the Government stating that preserving accessible green areas was a priority raised during consultation.
Retaining Creative and Educational Assets
A distinguishing feature of the redevelopment is the decision to retain and upgrade key buildings associated with the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), along with the campus Library and Administration buildings.
Rather than demolishing these structures, the Master Plan incorporates them into a proposed Creative Industries Hub. The Government has allocated $500,000 in the Mid-year Review to prepare a business case exploring the viability and scope of this hub.
The proposed facility could provide performance, rehearsal, production and office spaces for not-for-profit organisations, commercial creative businesses and emerging artists. The intention is to create a collaborative environment that supports innovation, career development and economic diversification within Western Australia’s creative sector.
Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk said the hub would represent an investment in the State’s creative future, helping to attract and retain talent while generating employment and cultural benefits.
Community consultation feedback indicated strong local support for maintaining an arts and cultural presence on the site, with the Government reporting that 85 per cent of respondents supported new opportunities for arts and culture within the precinct.
The business case will also explore potential partnerships with Mount Lawley Senior High School, which runs a Specialist Visual and Performing Arts Program. Opportunities may include shared facilities and expanded access to creative infrastructure for students.
New Primary School Identified
In addition to housing and cultural uses, land has been identified within the redevelopment footprint for a new urban primary school. Planning and design will be led by the Department of Education.
The proposed school reflects anticipated population growth within the precinct and surrounding suburbs. While detailed timelines for delivery have not yet been announced, its inclusion in the Master Plan signals a long-term approach to community infrastructure provision.
By integrating educational facilities within the redevelopment area, the State aims to support family-friendly living options and reduce travel requirements for local residents.
Consultation and Community Input
The finalisation of the Master Plan follows the release of a draft plan in mid-2025 and a period of public consultation that generated more than 300 submissions.
Housing and Works and Planning and Lands Minister John Carey stated that the plan had been shaped by extensive community feedback and that it sought to balance increased housing supply with heritage retention and open space provision.
Mount Lawley MLA Frank Paolino also emphasised the role of local input in shaping the outcome, highlighting the retention of key creative assets as a central concern for residents.
While the final Master Plan reflects a number of adjustments informed by consultation, the project will still require staged implementation, detailed design and further statutory approvals as it moves from planning to delivery.
Broader Housing Context
The ECU Mount Lawley redevelopment forms part of the Cook Government’s broader strategy to increase housing supply across Western Australia.
By targeting underutilised government-owned land in established urban areas, the State is seeking to unlock additional dwellings without extending the metropolitan boundary.
The proposed 1,100 homes, while modest in comparison to large-scale greenfield developments, represent a significant uplift within a well-located inner suburb.
Inner urban infill projects such as this are often complex due to community expectations, heritage considerations and infrastructure capacity. The integration of housing, cultural facilities, education and open space reflects an effort to balance these competing priorities.
Next Steps
With the Master Plan now finalised, attention will shift to detailed planning, staging and procurement processes. The DevelopmentWA website will host the full Master Plan documentation, providing further technical detail regarding land use distribution, transport networks and infrastructure planning.
The redevelopment is expected to occur over multiple stages, with delivery timelines dependent on funding, market conditions and statutory approvals.
If realised as outlined, the project would reshape a prominent Mount Lawley site into a higher-density mixed-use precinct combining residential living, creative enterprise and educational facilities.
A Site with a New Role
The former ECU campus has long been associated with education and the performing arts. The Master Plan seeks to retain elements of that identity while introducing a new residential and community function.
By blending housing diversity, open space and cultural infrastructure within a five-kilometre radius of the Perth CBD, the State Government is positioning the redevelopment as both a housing initiative and a placemaking exercise.
As implementation progresses, the project will serve as a test case for inner-urban redevelopment in Western Australia, illustrating how surplus institutional land can be repurposed to address housing demand while preserving local character and community assets.
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