Proponents contracted for stage one demolition of Perth's first social and affordable Build-to-Rent project at former Stirling Towers

• Smith Street Build-to-Rent project will redevelop former public housing in Highgate
• Community Housing Ltd and Tetris Capital contracted to deliver stage one of WA's first Build-to-Rent project
• Smith Street site part of Housing Diversity Pipeline unlocking lazy government land
• Stage one will include demolition of former building and design development
• Project will deliver a mix of social and affordable rentals well located to Perth CBD, transport, shopping and other amenities

The Cook Government has today named the consortium comprised of Community Housing Ltd (CHL) and Tetris Capital as the proponents to demolish the former Stirling Towers complex and prepare the site for redevelopment.

The consortium group will undertake stage one of the redevelopment of the former public housing site into Western Australia's first Build-to-Rent (BTR) project.

CHL and Tetris were appointed following a Request for Detailed Proposal for the innovative project to develop the site into a contemporary BTR project with ongoing tenancy and property management, with the site made available through a 50-year ground lease.

CHL is Australia's largest community housing provider, with 30 years' experience and a demonstrated strong track record in the sector.

The Cook Government is unlocking lazy government land through the pilot Housing Diversity Pipeline to maximise the potential of the land for social and affordable housing – including the development at Smith Street.

The Smith Street BTR Project will be undertaken in three stages:

• demolition and preparation of the site;
• construction of the development – to be funded in partnership with the Albanese Federal Government; and
• a ground lease for tenancy and operational management of the residential development.

The redevelopment of the site is planned to deliver new apartments in a mix of social housing and affordable rentals through the Build-to-Rent model and will see the development of a new urban community close to major public transport hubs and local amenities.

Planning for stage two – which will be construction of the site, funded by the Cook Government Social Housing Investment Fund and the Albanese Federal Government's Social Housing Accelerator Fund continues the engagement between the State and Federal Governments and CHL, with further detail to be provided in early 2024.

The demolition development application will be lodged in the first quarter of 2024 and the consortium will procure a demolition contractor to remove the existing buildings onsite.

Demolition works are aiming to commence as soon as possible after approvals are achieved and a contractor is procured.

The Smith Street Build-to-Rent project is one of a number of major legacy housing redevelopment projects the Cook Government is undertaking to boost housing across Western Australia.

The North Beach Urban Redevelopment Project has reached a milestone with the demolition and clearing of aged and unsuitable public housing now completed to make way for a new residential development that will revitalise the precinct and boost the State's housing supply.

Planning approvals have been submitted to enable subdivisions of the site to be released to market for delivery of a mix of social, affordable and private housing.

The community housing sector and private sector will be invited to express their interest in developing the site in 2024 to achieve a residential development that will enhance the quality, affordability, diversity and amenity of housing stock in the suburb.

In Subiaco, demolition of the former ageing and no longer fit-for-purpose social housing on Court Place has been completed to make way for the development of modern, high-quality housing options for a diverse range of occupants.

With the Expressions of Interest now finalised, a Request For Detail Proposal has been issued to shortlisted proponents.

The 1.08 hectare Court Place site and its proximity to amenities, provides a unique opportunity to deliver integrated social, affordable and private market housing

The Bentley Redevelopment Project is a significant opportunity for the State Government to deliver a high-quality infill development, boost social housing, and facilitate broader urban regeneration of the Bentley area.

Planning for the site has been complex and the land requires significant remediation works to facilitate the project for future redevelopment. As such, in the most recent State Budget, $11.3 million was allocated for earthworks and remediation works across the site.

Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:

"Our Government is doing all it can to boost social housing, including through major urban renewal projects, as part of our reforms to bolster the delivery of social housing across Western Australia.

"We're tackling a number of large-scale legacy redevelopment projects which are currently undergoing major renewal works to boost the State's housing supply – including projects in North Beach, Subiaco, Bentley and the Smith Street site in Highgate.

"Stage one of the Smith Street Built-to-Rent project will see the demolition of the existing derelict towers and the finalisation of design development.

"The Smith Street Build-to-Rent project will see the former public housing site transformed into a modern, managed residential development of social, affordable and specialist disability rental apartments well located to Perth CBD, transport, shopping and other amenities."