Demolition works are currently underway. Credit: Jaaske M via Shutterstock.

The Western Australian (WA) Government has granted development approval for a social and affordable housing project at the former Stirling Towers location, marking a milestone in the state’s first government-led build-to-rent (BtR) initiative.

The Smith Street BtR project in Highgate aims to transform the site into a residential community.

The development application for the project was submitted by a consortium led by Community Housing and Tetris Capital.

The proposal received feedback from the Government Architect of Western Australia and the City of Vincent, which was incorporated into the final design.

The WA Planning Commission, following an assessment by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, determined the application as a public work.

The Smith Street BtR Project is part of the Cook Government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline, which seeks to revitalise underutilised government land for social and affordable housing.

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The project will offer 109 new apartments, incorporating one- and two-bedroom units catering to social and specialist disability rentals, all within proximity to Perth’s central business district (CBD) and essential amenities.

The Department of Communities has selected the consortium through a competitive process to lead the first stage of the Smith Street BtR project.

This stage encompasses the demolition of the existing public housing structures and the preparation of the site for development. Tetris Capital is managing the site readiness works on behalf of the state government.

Demolition works are currently underway, with completion expected in early 2025.

WA Government Housing Minister John Carey said: “The Smith Street BtR project site is part of our government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline, unlocking lazy government land to deliver more social and affordable housing options.

“The Smith Street project will be the first state government-led build-to-rent project in WA and will be undertaken in a staged approach including demolition and preparation of the site, construction of the development and a ground lease for management of the complex.

“Once completed, this build-to-rent project will provide social and affordable housing options close to a range of amenities including the Perth CBD, shops, public transport and parks, as well as education, sporting and entertainment facilities.”