Smith Street Build-to-Rent Project

An innovative project to deliver new social and affordable housing in partnership with WA’s community housing sector.

Last updated: 16 September 2024

The Department of Communities (Communities) is seeking to redevelop the former Stirling Towers public housing site at Lot 501 Smith Street, Highgate.

The Smith Street Build-to-Rent Project 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.

Through an Expression of Interest and a Request for Detailed Proposal process, Communities has engaged a consortium comprised of Community Housing Ltd and Tetris Capital as the successful proponents to undertake stage one of the Smith Street Build-to-Rent Project: demolition of the former public housing and preparation of the site for development.

This project is a key component of the WA Government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline of sites identified to deliver social housing stock in the short to medium term.

Project update

Communities has recently appointed Brajkovich Demolition & Salvage (WA) being a suitably qualified contractor to undertake site readiness works, including demolition. All works on the site will be completed in accordance with the demolition development approval and permit conditions.

A demolition permit has been issued for the former Stirling Towers complex and structural demolition works will now commence.

Surrounding residents will be kept updated on the demolition timeframes and works as the project progresses. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF, 156KB) to assist with keeping local residents informed.

The Tetris/Community Housing Limited (CHL) Consortium have lodged a development application (DA) with the City of Vincent for the construction of new dwellings on the site. Prior to lodgement, the DA was reviewed by the Government Architect of Western Australia and the City of Vincent with feedback provided and included in the design. The City of Vincent have advertised the application for public comment with the application determined by Western Australia Planning Commission, following assessment by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as a public work. It is anticipated the DA decision will be announced in late 2024.

Information on the DA for construction of new dwellings at Nos. 49-67 Smith Street, Highgate is currently available on City of Vincent's website

More information

Updates will be made available on this page as the project progresses.

If you have any further queries about the project, or would like to report any maintenance issues at the site, please email smithstreetbuildtorent@communities.wa.gov.au.