Demolition contract awarded for Stirling Towers

• Contract awarded for demolition of Stirling Towers and site readiness works for Smith Street Build-to-Rent (BTR) Project
• Project will deliver a mix of social and affordable rentals well located to Perth CBD, transport, shopping and other amenities
• Housing Diversity Pipeline unlocking lazy government land to boost accommodation options

The Cook Government has appointed a contractor to demolish the former Stirling Towers complex in Smith Street, Highgate, preparing the site for redevelopment.

Brajkovich Demolition & Salvage (WA) has been contracted to undertake demolition of the vacant 12-storey building and a smaller three-storey building, as well as other associated works.

The project in inner northern Perth will see the former public housing site transformed into new apartments of one and two-bedroom social, affordable and specialist disability rental units, well located to Perth CBD, transport, shopping and other amenities.

Planning for the site has been complex as the land requires significant remediation works to support redevelopment.

Prior to demolition works commencing, an application for demolition permit will be lodged and approved by Department of Communities as a public work. The permit will incorporate feedback from the City of Vincent to ensure conditions of the demolition approval will be met.

Preparatory demolition activities will commence once approval for the demolition permit is granted by the Department of Communities.

A development application for the project has also been lodged with the City of Vincent by the consortium comprising of Community Housing Ltd (CHL) and Tetris Capital, who will manage the site readiness works on behalf of the State Government.

The City of Vincent will advertise the development application for public comment, with the application to be determined by Western Australia Planning Commission, following assessment by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as a public work. It is anticipated the development application decision will be announced in late 2024. 

The Smith Street BTR Project site is part of the Housing Diversity Pipeline unlocking lazy government land and will be undertaken in three stages: demolition and preparation of the site; construction of the development; and a ground lease for management of the complex.

Further information on the project can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/government/smith-street-build-rent-project

Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:

"The first stage of delivering this social and affordable housing site on Smith Street in Highgate will see the demolition of the existing derelict towers and the finalisation of design development.

"The Stirling Towers site is in a well-located area, close to a range of amenities including the Perth CBD, shops, public transport and parks, as well as education, sporting and entertainment facilities.

"Redeveloping the Stirling Towers site as a build-to-rent model will assist tenants through social, affordable and market rental arrangements, supported by on-site tenancy management.

"The State Government is tackling a number of large-scale redevelopment projects as part of major urban renewal process to boost the State's housing supply."