The A$165m ($103m) East Perth Primary School development in Western Australia (WA) has reached a milestone, with architects being appointed to undertake detailed planning.

The design contract for the primary school has been awarded to WA-based company Edgar Idle Wade (EIW), and includes a joint venture (JV) agreement with ARM Architecture.

This project’s funding has been allocated via the WA state budget.

The WA state government has announced that forward works for the new inner-city primary school will commence this week.

Students will benefit from facilities designed to enhance teaching and learning.

The vertical-layout school is set to open for the 2029 school year.

It will accommodate 600 students, helping to ease enrolment pressures at the local Highgate Primary School.

The design will include provisions for future expansion to accommodate an additional 200 students, ensuring the school can adapt to changing educational needs.

An allocation of A$19m has been made for the commencement of detailed design, forward works, and the relocation of Western Power Services.

WA Premier Roger Cook said: "We promised a new primary school for families in the inner city, and my WA Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering exactly that.

"The appointment of architects and start of early works this week are exciting milestones for the East Perth Primary School development, which is essential to accommodate growing enrolments as more families choose to live in and around the Perth CBD [central business district].

"East Perth Primary School is now fully funded and on track to become an important part of the fabric of our city, providing local students with a first-class education from 2029.”

The state government has also allocated a further A$5.6m in its budget for planning for upgrades and expansions at several existing schools.