The City of Rockingham is embarking on a monumental urban transformation, proposing a massive infill development to house a rapidly expanding population driven by the landmark AUKUS security pact.
Rockingham Mayor Lorna Buchan has declared the city needs 16,000 additional dwellings, with some proposed to be housed in towers reaching up to 24 storeys along the prized foreshore area.
A Once-in-a-Century Transformation
Addressing a Property Council conference, Mayor Buchan described the AUKUS agreement as a catalyst for a “once-in-a-century” transformation for Rockingham. She highlighted the city's urgent need for diverse housing options to accommodate a population that is growing at a significant rate of 3.5 per cent each year.
The proposed precinct structure plan calls for high-density living, with buildings of up to 24 storeys permitted along the foreshore and structures of up to 12 storeys in the city centre. The plan also allows for potentially even greater heights through a merit-based assessment system.
Ms Buchan is urging the State Government to grant urgent approval for the plan, emphasising that the targeted area is already well-serviced by essential community infrastructure.
The Looming Threat of Traffic Gridlock
A critical component of the Mayor's appeal is a call for substantial investment in new roads from both the State and Federal Governments. A council-commissioned traffic assessment has painted a dire picture of the future without immediate action.
The assessment, which utilised figures provided by Defence, forecasts the potential for a complete network breakdown on roads leading to Point Peron and Garden Island. Mayor Buchan warned that drivers could soon face daily 5-kilometre tailbacks.
“We’re looking at … a five-fold increase in our dwellings,” Ms Buchan stated. “That’s what we are driving forward for.”
She argued it is unfair to expect Rockingham ratepayers to bear the cost of road upgrades necessitated by a Federal Government project, stating that prolonged traffic jams could erode the community's social licence for the Navy presence.
Conflicting Projections and a Call to Action
The scale of the impending population surge is underscored by differing projections. While the City of Rockingham's traffic assessment was based on an expected 1,200 Defence families moving to the region, the State Government's own prediction is even higher, anticipating 2,000 families will relocate to the precinct within the next decade.
Echoing the need for coordinated effort, Property Council chief executive Nicola Brischetto emphasised that delivering on the promises of AUKUS requires all levels of government to work closely together. The successful implementation hinges on having enabling infrastructure, housing, and community services established in a timely manner.
The future of Rockingham hangs in the balance, poised between unprecedented growth and the pressing need for strategic planning and investment to support its new role on the national stage.
