New housing, sporting and cultural precinct under re-elected WA Labor

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will commit $30 million to transform Dorrien Gardens and the WA Italian Club in Perth’s inner city into a major housing, sporting and cultural precinct.
  • Re-elected WA Labor committing $30 million for new Dorrien Gardens precinct
  • New precinct to include a new public piazza, new joint Italian Club and Soccer Club facilities and hundreds of new apartments
  • Part of WA Labor’s plan to create vibrancy, build more houses and support inner city living

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will commit $30 million to transform Dorrien Gardens and the WA Italian Club in Perth’s inner city into a major housing, sporting and cultural precinct.

Plans for the redevelopment include a new public piazza, joint facilities for the WA Italian Club and Perth Soccer Club and 240 apartments including 40 social and affordable homes.

Upgrades to the Perth Soccer Club will allow the club to meet growing player numbers with a new 700-seat grandstand, upgraded pitches, and a new building with changerooms, a gymnasium, physiotherapy and function rooms with a commercial kitchen.

The revamp will pave the way for a revitalised public precinct, catering to the local soccer and Italian communities, as well as providing new community spaces to serve as a central hub for local gatherings and events.

The public, sporting and cultural elements of the proposed precinct is worth $75 million, with the Perth Soccer Club and WA Italian Club targeting other tiers of government and private sector contributions to raise remaining funds.

The Italo-Australian Welfare Association and City of Vincent will also be partners on the project.

The City of Vincent will be asked to contribute land to the project, which is currently under a management order to the Perth Soccer Club.

The precinct will be a major revitalisation to support new housing opportunities on key transport routes, reflecting WA Labor’s commitment to attracting more Western Australians and families to live in the inner city, with high-quality amenities and community facilities.

It will also ensure the Italian community have their historic home secured for future generations and recognises the significant contribution they have made to both the Perth community and across Western Australia.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“The WA Italian Club has a significant 90-year history here on Fitzgerald Street and this redevelopment will create an activated precinct that serves our community for the next 90 years."

“The Dorrien Gardens Precinct offers a unique opportunity to establish a world-class recreation and cultural hub that services the local community and provides more opportunities to grow young people and women’s participation in sport."

“Importantly, it will also provide Western Australians and families with more choice when it comes to housing and living in the city, with 240 new apartments to be built as part of the redevelopment."

“Only WA Labor has a plan to create vibrant communities and bolster housing supply, supporting Perth's long-term growth and paving the way for a thriving future for Western Australians.”

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