Historical planning documents

In 2009, the WA Planning Commission endorsed the Activity Centre Plan.  The purpose of this plan was to build upon the 1995 plan to provide a contemporary overall Structure Plan to guide the future development of public and private property within the city centre.

The planning and development of the Strategic Metropolitan Centre is guided by the City Centre Development Policy Plan (DPP) which was originally incorporated into the Town Planning Scheme in 1995.  The DPP was prepared to reflect the principles of orderly and proper planning based on a 'main street' town centre with mixed use, street front development framing an activated public domain in the City Centre.

The review of the DPP commenced in late 2006, following the completion of a Ministerial Enquiry by Design process into the expansion of the shopping centre.

With continuing growth in the region and the construction of the City Centre Transit System, a broader and more comprehensive Centre Plan was required to provide a long term vision and an integrated planning framework for development of the area. Key issues addressed during the review process included:

• An update of the existing 1995 Development Policy Plan (DPP)
• investigation of the 2005 Ministerial Enquiry by Design (Ebd) Outcomes
• review road hierarchy and update traffic and parking studies
• review land uses in City Centre
• establish Murdoch University land requirements
• identify Transit Oriented Development (TOD) opportunities
• identify infrastructure requirements within the City Centre
• identify potential sites for a proposed Contemporary and Performing Arts Complex.

The planning envelope covered nearly 600 hectares stretching from the Rockingham Train Station to Rockingham Beach and includes the City Centre, the Rockingham Waterfront Village, the joint tertiary education campuses and associated service commercial, residential and recreation areas.

Figure 1: Rockingham Strategic Centre Planning Envelope

The Centre Plan will accommodate a sophisticated coastal Activity Centre servicing an anticipated population of 275,000 people from the Rockingham and Kwinana areas.

The vision is for a modern, distinctly coastal centre offering a wide range of mixed uses including retail, commercial, office, civic, residential, education, cultural and recreation within an accessible and highly inter-connected, urban-scaled townscape, comprising a major Activity Centre and related urban villages based on 'main street' principles.

Development within the plan defined the City’s contemporary approach to planning, characterising development outcomes through:

• medium to high density development based on activated 'main street' principles.
• a configuration of generally contiguous street front buildings and a mix of uses that generate high levels of pedestrian activity and a sense of vitality.
• a street-based transit system, with closely spaced stops.
• a permeable network of streets, laneways, arcades and public spaces that provide high quality linkages, particularly for pedestrians, to centre activities.
• an identifiable City Centre hub to provide major CBD functions.
• connected village precincts between the City Centre and Rockingham Beach along the route of the transit system.

Location

The City Centre Sector is generally bounded by Council Avenue, Read Street, Leghorn Street, Success Drive, Marks Place, Louise Street and its extension through to Council Avenue.

Figure 4: Sector 1 - City Centre Sector

Desired Future Character

The City Centre will continue to be the tertiary economic and employment focus of the Rockingham Strategic Metropolitan Centre with the retail anchor of an expanded shopping centre merging with Main Street mixed use development, civic buildings and major public spaces including the City Square and the proposed Central Promenade Piazza.  Provision will be made for higher density offices and residential apartments over street level retail and commercial tenancies.

Preferred Uses

• Appropriate TOD uses lining the Transit Route
• Retail at ground level in a "Main Street" configuration
• Streetfront mixed uses including offices and apartments
• Restaurants, small bars and cafés
• Civic and cultural uses, possible Contemporary Arts Centre
• Medium to high density residential
• Serviced apartments
• Public car parks
• Passive parkland

Implementation

The Development Policy Plan for the City Centre Sector became operational on 18 February 2011.

Figure 5: City Centre Sector - Indicative Development Plan

Location

The Waterfront Village Sector is generally bounded by the coast, Wanliss Street, Cessnock Way, Read Street, Greene Street, Ryan Street, Houston Street, Langley Street and Florence Street.

Figure 6: Sector 2 - Waterfront Village Sector

Desired Future Character

Port Rockingham was once the busiest port in the State by tonnage of goods shipped through the jetties at the end of Railway Terrace.  The associated beachfront and townsite was subsequently transformed into one of the State's favourite family holiday and day trip destinations.  With the shifting south of many of its commercial and civic functions to the new Regional Centre in the early 1970s, the historic 'main street' centre retained a compact townscape character well suited to the demands of a contemporary urban waterfront lifestyle.

The emerging Waterfront Village will continue with its transformation into a regionally significant beachfront hub with further redevelopment  of under-utilised public and private properties.  An attractive mix of medium to high density residential and short-stay apartments, hospitality-focused retail, offices and urban waterfront recreation uses will combine to make this a priority destination on the Rockingham coastline.

Preferred Uses

• Appropriate TOD uses lining the Transit Route
• Mixed use, urban-scaled development
• Residential (medium to high density)
• Serviced apartments
• Entertainment/hospitality
• Possible Contemporary Arts Centre
• Restaurants, small bars and cafés
• Local convenience retailing
• Public car parks
• Passive Parkland

Implementation

The City has finalised the Waterfront Village Sector DPP and an expanded IDP and updated Planning Policy No.3.2.5 – Rockingham Beach Waterfront Village to incorporate both.

An update to the previously separate Rockingham Beach Building Height Policy has also been completed as part of this process.  It covers the expanded Waterfront Village Sector and has been integrated with the main body of the DPP, as has occurred with the height and density provisions of the recently completed City Centre Sector DPP.

The draft DPP text, IDP, Precinct Guidelines, revised Building Height Model and associated scheme amendment documentation were considered by Council in October 2011, when it was resolved to undertake a full public consultation process on the proposals.  This occurred during December 2011 and January 2012.

At the conclusion of the advertising period, 14 submissions had been received which were assessed by City Officers and the City Centre Structure Plan Consultant. The submissions received during the advertising period did not raise any substantiated matters which would have provided reasons for not adopting the proposed planning policy.

As such, in April 2012 Council resolved to adopt Planning Policy No.3.2.5, subject to minor editorial modifications.

The Waterfront Village Development Policy Plan ensures consistency with the adopted Centre Plan for the Rockingham Strategic Metropolitan Centre.

The Development Policy Plan became operational on 28 September 2012.

Figure 7: Waterfront Village Sector - Indicative Development Plan

Location

The Smart Village Sector is generally bounded by Dixon Road, Dowling Street, Chalgrove Avenue (unmade) and Goddard Street (north) and it includes the land formerly used for the sporting grounds on Dixon Road.

Figure 8: Sector 3 - Smart Village Sector

Desired Future Character

The 24 hectare site, which is vested in the City of Rockingham, represents a strategic TOD opportunity at the junction of the transit route and Dixon Road.  A contemporary mixed use, higher density development will embody sustainable development principles and high quality urban design.  It will build on the market profile and amenity foundation of the nearby Waterfront Village and will include a village Main Street and central park around which the higher density TOD will be assembled. Contemporary residential apartments and offices will be situated over streetfront retail in a built form that ranges from 2 to 20 plus storeys.

Preferred Uses

• Appropriate TOD uses lining the Transit Route
• Streetfront mixed uses of urban scale including offices and commercial
• Local service retail
• University-related uses
• Medium to high density residential
• Possible Contemporary Arts Centre
• Passive Parkland

Implementation

The City has completed the Smart Village Masterplan and Development Policy Plan (DPP), which establishes development objectives (as already set out in the approved Centre Plan), and provides clear planning objectives to future developers within the Sector.

The DPP includes detailed narratives for the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Precinct Concept Plans and Precinct Guidelines.  Long cross sections, prepared during the preparation of the overall Centre Plan, have been updated to illustrate the profile and scale of envisaged development.

The Smart Village Sector proposals, together with a related scheme amendment were considered by Council in October 2011, when it was resolved to undertake a full public consultation process on the proposals.  This occurred during December 2011 and January 2012.

At the conclusion of the advertising period, nine submissions had been received which were assessed by City Officers and the City Centre Structure Plan Consultant.

The submissions received during the advertising period did not raise any substantiated matters which would have provided reasons for not adopting the proposed Planning Policy.

As such, in April 2012 Council resolved to adopt Planning Policy No.3.2.2, subject to minor editorial modifications.

The Development Policy Plan became operational on 28 September 2012.

Figure 9: Smart Village Sector - Indicative Development Plan

Location

The Campus Sector is generally bounded by Dixon Road, Ennis Avenue, Simpson Avenue and Dowling Street.

Figure 10: Sector 6 - Campus Sector

Figure 11: Campus Sector Indicative Development Plan

Desired Future Character

The adjoining campuses of the Challenger Institute of Technology (CloT), Murdoch University and Kolbe College are located between Ennis Avenue, Dixon Road and Simpson Avenue. The western end of the adjoining campuses falls within the walkable catchment of the transit route and would directly interface with the proposed Smart Village TOD on the southern side of Dixon Road.  There will also be opportunities for CIoT and university tenancies to locate within the adjoining Smart Villages.

Transit Oriented Development Potential

The adjoining campuses of TAFE, Murdoch University and Kolbe College are located between Ennis Avenue, Dixon Road and Simpson Avenue.  The western end of the joint campuses falls within the walkable catchment of the transit route and would directly interface with the proposed Smart Village TOD on the southern side of Dixon Road.  There will also be opportunities for CIoT and university tenancies to locate within the adjoining proposed Smart Village TOD.

Preferred Uses

• Educational
• Civic
• Commercial
• Interconnecting, high quality parkland

Elements

• Maintain and enhance high quality development in each of the individual campus operations.
• Ensure that individual campuses are developed in a complementary fashion to share resources where feasible and to present a generally integrated townscape character.
• Generally intensify development from east to west along Dixon Road consistent with proximity to the more urban scaled CBD of the Strategic Metropolitan Centre.  This should also be reflected in the urban design of the campuses with the more industrial architecture of the TAFE being set in landscaped grounds and the university campus integrated with the urban street grid of the adjoining Smart Villages.
• Give particular attention to the landscape treatment of Ennis Avenue, Dixon Road and Simpson Avenue entry points where planting, lighting and signage should convey a clear sense of arrival at the edge of a major urban centre.
• Ensure that all new development is planned in accordance with the sustainability principles listed in Section 3.1.6 and designed in detail to meet any applicable sustainability Key Performance Indicators endorsed by the City of Rockingham.

Implementation

The Minister for Planning approved the scheme amendment on 2 September 2015. Development Policy Plan 3.2.8 - Campus Sector came into effect on 15 September 2015.

Location

The area generally bounded by Ennis Avenue, Council Avenue, Louise Street and its extension southwards, Chalgrove Avenue, (unmade), Dowling Street and Simpson Avenue.

Figure 12: Sector 7 - Eastern Sector

Desired Future Character

This sector will be redeveloped over time with medium and high density housing, having an urban townscape character more commensurate with its location to transit and central area activities.

Preferred uses within this sector include medium to high density residential development, and local retail (corner shops).

Local parks should be retained and upgraded along with the streetscape to convey a more attractive and distinctly urban townscape character.

Figure 13: Indicative Development Plan

Extension of Goddard Street and Possible Relocation or Reconfiguration of the Rockingham Aquatic Centre

While the extension of Goddard Street (via Louise Street) through to Council Avenue is a critical component of the recommended road network, the City recognises the need to explore and consider an alternative alignment to accommodate, if required, the retention of the Rockingham Aquatic Centre.  In this regard, the following plan shows an option for an alternative Goddard Street alignment.

Figure 14: Supplementary Indicative Plan - Alternative Goddard Street Alignment

Implementation

On 3 February 2016, the Minister for Planning granted Final Approval to Amendment No.141 to Town Planning Scheme No.2.  The scheme amendment provides the statutory framework for Planning Policy No.3.2.9 - Development Policy Plan - Eastern Sector which came into operation on the same date.

Location

The Northern Waterfront Sector is bounded by Rockingham Beach Road, Wanliss Street, Victoria Street and Regan Street, Rockingham.

Figure 15: Sector 9 - Northern Waterfront Sector

Figure 16: Northern Waterfront Sector - Indicative Development Plan

Desired Future Character

The sector will be redeveloped progressively over time resulting in upgraded residential capacity with an urban form more consistent with proximity to transit, the coast and central uses.

Transit Oriented Development

A residential area between Rockingham Beach Road, Victoria Street, Patterson Road and Wanliss Street with good access to the beach, the Waterfront Village and the transit route. Opportunity to progressively upgrade residential capacity and introduce an urban built form consistent with proximity to transit and central uses.

Preferred Uses

• Medium and high density residential
• Serviced apartments
• Local retail (corner shops)
• Existing parkland

Elements

• Prepare a sector Development Policy Plan with relevant changes to residential density codings to guide the progressive urban consolidation and transformation of this area consistent with its TOD planning context.
• Upgrade the landscape at all levels to convey a more distinctly urban townscape character.
• Give particular attention to the landscape treatment of Patterson Road, Victoria Street, Rockingham Beach Road and Wanliss Street and the related entry points where planting, lighting and signage should convey a clear sense of arrival at the edge of a major urban centre.
• Ensure that all new development is planned in accordance with the sustainability principles listed in Section 3.1.6 and designed in detail to meet any sustainability Key Performance Indicators adopted by the City of Rockingham.

Implementation

Development Policy Plan 3.2.6 - Northern Waterfront Sector also came into effect on 4 July 2014.

Location

The area generally bounded by Council Avenue, Ennis Avenue, Rae Road and Read Street.

Figure 17: Combined Southern Gateway and Rockingham Station Sectors - Rockingham Strategic Metropolitan Centre

Desired Future Character - Sector 10 Southern Gateway

This sector presents an opportunity to progressively upgrade residential capacity and introduced an urban townscape and built form more consistent with proximity to transit and central area uses. Existing areas of single storey group housing to the west of the transit route would be unlikely to change in the near term.

Figure 18: Southern Gateway and Rockingham Station Sectors Indicative Development Plan

Preferred Uses

• Appropriate TOD uses lining the Transit Route
• Medium and high density residential

Elements

Prepare a sector Development Plan with relevant changes to residential density codings to guide the progressive urban consolidation and transformation of this area consistent with its TOD planning context.

Upgrade the landscape at all levels to convey a more distinctly urban townscape character.

Give particular attention to the landscape treatment of Ennis Avenue and the Council Avenue and Simpson Avenue entry points where planting, lighting and signage should convey a clear sense of arrival at the edge of a major urban centre.

Ensure that all new development is planned in accordance with the sustainability principles listed in Section 3.1.6 and designed in detail to meet any applicable sustainability Key Performance Indicators endorsed by the City of Rockingham.

Transit Oriented Development Potential

An existing residential area bounded by Council Avenue, Read Street, Ennis Avenue and Rae Road that is situated at the southern end of the transit route, with the majority of properties falling within its walkable catchment.

Desired Future Character - Sector 11 Rockingham Station

The rail station will be serviced by park and ride car parks located on either side of Ennis Avenue. The station is relatively removed from the activity focus of the City Centre and does not present any obvious TOD opportunities. The western-most car park has not been constructed at this time and presents a possible opportunity to locate multiple residential apartments over a future car park and ride facility. Priority should be given to TOD consolidation along the activated route of the transit system in the heart of the centre before any consideration is given to development over the more isolated park and ride car park.

Preferred Uses

• TOD related uses

Elements

• Maintain and enhance the landscape at all levels to convey a more distinctly urban townscape context.
• Give particular attention to the landscape treatment of Ennis Avenue and the Council Avenue and Simpson Avenue entry points where planting, lighting and signage should convey a clear sense of arrival at the edge of a major urban centre.
• Ensure that all new development is planned in accordance with the sustainability principles listed in Section 3.1.6 and designed in detail to meet any applicable sustainability Key Performance Indicators endorsed by the City of Rockingham.

Implementation

On 20 June 2017, the Minister for Planning granted Final Approval to Amendment No.150 to Town Planning Scheme No.2.  A notice to this effect was published in the Government Gazette WA on 27 June 2017.

Amendment No.150 rezones certain land within the Southern Gateway Sector and includes that land within existing scheme provisions for the 'Primary Centre Urban Living Zone' and 'Primary Centre City Centre Zone'.

The scheme amendment also provides the statutory framework for Planning Policy No.3.2.12 - Development Policy Plan: Southern Gateway and Rockingham Station Sectors which came into operation following the publication of the gazettal notice.

The policy deals with the planning objectives and requirements to guide future development within the sector.