IN a sign of the growth potential of Rockingham and surrounding areas, LandCorp will open its first regional office in Rockingham next month.
IN a sign of the growth potential of Rockingham and surrounding areas, LandCorp will open its first regional office in Rockingham next month.
The decision comes on the eve of the commencement of the MetroRail project, which will bring significant long-term economic benefits to the city, according to City of Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels.
Mr Sammels told WA Business News the city council was very supportive of both the new train line and the number of developments in Rockingham, among them the Rockingham Waterfront Village. Council has approved plans for the 16-hectare village and construction is expected to begin this winter.
The project between LandCorp and the City of Rockingham aims to create a community around Rockingham Oval and build upon the existing activity of the adjoining beachfront area. Included in the development site are a village square and village green, enhanced streetscapes, improved parking and a residential housing development within walking distance of community facilities, the beachfront and the proposed rapid transit system.
LandCorp will share its Rockingham office with representatives from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and will engage with community groups on the Waterfront development.
Mr Sammels said there was only a small group opposed to the development, and that the community had been widely consulted in the redevelopment of the area.
“The oldest part of Rockingham has come to its use-by date. We have taken some inspiration from places like Subi Centro and the East Perth redevelopment, and we hope to replicate that feel,” he said.
Part of the opposition to the Waterfront Village development involves the contentious issue, not just in Rockingham but all along the coast, of high-rise beachfront development.
With community concerns in mind, the Rockingham council has placed a 12-storey limit on beachfront developments.
Cedar Woods is building two, eight-floor luxury apartment complexes – Aria and Nautilus. The $18 million Aria complex is currently under construction and features 32 apartments, 28 of which are sold.
Prices vary from $269,000 to $825,000. Nautilus has 62 apartments and was launched in January this year. So far, 56 of the 62 have been sold off the plans, with prices varying from $279,000 to $850,000.
Construction is due to start in July with completion expected by late 2005.
“To date, Rockingham has been an undiscovered jewel on the metropolitan coastline – the emergence of the Aria apartments is the signal of better things to come for the area,” Cedar Woods managing director Paul Sadlier said.
Interest in the area has come from both local investors and those outside the area.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan told a recent Urban Development Institute of Australia lunch she looked forward to working with developers on areas along the $1.518 billion Perth-to-Mandurah rail line, which is due for completion by the end of 2006.
“The integration of land use and transport is fundamental to the planning of our future city and a great deal of effort has been put on transit-oriented developments,” Ms MacTiernan said.
