Landcorp and the City of Wanneroo are partnering in the development of a new 400 hectare industrial estate within the Neerabup Industry Area.
The estate, known as Meridian Park, is expected to meet the industrial land needs of the north west metropolitan region for the next 20 years and create up to 20,000 new employment opportunities for residents of surrounding communities, including the new city of Alkimos.
The stage one release of the estate will feature 21 lots spread over 10ha, and is expected to come onto the market in early 2008. A further 12ha in stage two will be released next year.
To assist new business and growth in the region, Meridian Park will offer a range of lot sizes capable of accommodating a range of industry uses.
All lots will have the potential to access a high speed broadband network, as well as parks, child care, banking facilities, gym and cafes.
LandCorp carried out an Expression of Interest process in October this year to gain an understanding of what market requirements were in terms of land use, design and sustainability initiatives.
The dire shortage of industrial land in Perth is such that of nearly 170 submissions to the EOI process, 72 per cent indicated they required land within the next 12 months.
Key requirements highlighted in the EOI responses were more flexibility and more intensive use of land.
Higher levels of amenity and energy and water efficient design were also important to respondents, with 72 per cent supporting water efficient equipment or devices, 65 per cent supporting stormwater harvesting and 69 per cent in favour of energy efficient buildings.
The total NIA area is 1,000ha, with LandCorp and the city owning approximately 400ha between them, with the balance owned by companies including Cockburn Cement and a mix of private individuals.
Earlier this month, the state government announced it had allocated $1 million for the development of an industrial land planning strategy by December 2008, which could help fast-track land onto the market.
Future developments at Neerabup, Wangara, Hazelmere, Nambeelup, Forrestdale, Latitude 32 and Port Kennedy are under the spotlight.
According to the government, the take-up of serviced industrial land in Perth and Peel has almost tripled in the past five years from 50ha in 2001-02 to 130ha in 2005-06.