The development will deliver 52 social homes and 20 affordable homes, reflecting the funding and delivery requirements of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF). All 72 homes will be retained as long-term rental housing and will not be sold on the private market. CHL will be responsible for the ongoing tenancy and property management of the development.

DevelopmentWA publicly advertised the application from 28 May to 18 June 2026. During this period, community feedback covered topics including building height and amenity, traffic and parking, construction impacts, privacy, heritage, safety and the proposed housing mix. In response, the project team refined elements of the design and provided additional technical information. DevelopmentWA considered the submissions alongside the planning framework, referral advice and Design Review Panel input before approving the application, subject to conditions. While the statutory consultation period has now concluded, CHL will continue engaging with stakeholders and the community as detailed design and project delivery progress.

The development is a nine-storey, mixed-use building. The site is within the METRONET East Bayswater Project Area, where planning settings support increased housing and mixed-use development close to Bayswater Station. DevelopmentWA approved the Development Application on 3 August 2026, subject to conditions and advice notes. The project will now progress through detailed design, approval requirements and construction planning before works can commence.

The development approval includes requirements to acknowledge the site’s history and heritage context. This includes recording elements of the existing site, incorporating heritage interpretation within the development, and considering opportunities to retain or reuse materials where feasible, including retaining a feature wall at the site. Further details will be finalised as part of the detailed design process.

Vehicle access to the development will be provided from the rear laneway rather than directly from King William Street. The development includes 24 on-site car bays, three motorcycle bays and bicycle parking. This approach reflects the site’s central location, close proximity to Bayswater Station and bus services, and access to adjacent cycling infrastructure.

Traffic, parking and access arrangements were assessed as part of the development approval process. A Parking Service and Delivery Management Plan will be prepared as the project progresses to manage vehicle access, deliveries and parking operations and minimise impacts on the surrounding area. Any proposed changes to on-street parking on King William Street will be considered through detailed design and in consultation with the City of Bayswater and DevelopmentWA.

The development includes 24 on-site car bays, supported by its highly accessible location, approximately 70 metres from Bayswater Station and close to bus services and cycling connections. A transport assessment considered the site’s location, housing type, travel options and local parking conditions. This included an analysis of nearby public parking, which found the adjacent 24-space public car park had an average utilisation of around 33 per cent between 2024 and 2026, with approximately 16 spaces vacant on average and at least five spaces available during the busiest observed period. The assessment also identified around 30 on-street parking spaces on King William Street and Murray Street. DevelopmentWA assessed this information as part of the development application and approved the parking and access arrangements. As the project progresses, detailed planning will continue to ensure parking, access and servicing arrangements operate effectively for residents, visitors and the surrounding area. While parking demand can vary over time, the approved approach was informed by the available evidence and assessment undertaken through the planning process.

Community Housing Limited (CHL) is progressing the project. The development is being managed by PARC Developments on behalf of CHL. The Development Application was approved by DevelopmentWA, which will also oversee meeting the requirements of the development approval under the METRONET East planning framework.

CHL is the community housing provider for the project and will have a long-term role in tenancy and property management. As Australia’s largest regulated community housing provider, CHL manages more than 12,000 properties for over 20,000 customers across the country and brings more than 30 years’ experience in partnerships and investment, property development, tenancy and property management, asset management and community engagement.

The King William Street Development Application was lodged with DevelopmentWA in May 2026 and publicly advertised from 28 May to 18 June 2026. Community feedback was considered as part of DevelopmentWA’s assessment and the application was approved on 3 August 2026 subject to conditions. While development approval is an important milestone, further planning, detailed design and approval requirements must be completed before construction can commence. CHL will continue progressing the project and provide updates as key milestones are reached. Site works are expected to start in late 2026.

Site works are expected to begin in late 2026, with main construction anticipated to commence in early 2027 and completion expected in 2028. Before construction can begin, a Construction Management Plan must be prepared and approved. This plan will address matters such as construction hours, noise, dust, traffic management, site access, worker parking, deliveries and communication with nearby residents and businesses. CHL will provide further information ahead of works commencing, including anticipated timing, access arrangements, and any potential impacts for nearby residents and businesses.

Yes. Pre-works dilapidation surveys will be undertaken for adjacent and other potentially affected properties, with the final scope to be confirmed before works begin. The surveys provide a record of existing property conditions and help inform the assessment of any concerns during construction. Affected property owners will be contacted with further information once the survey program is confirmed.

CHL will provide updates before any works or activities that may affect nearby residents, businesses, access, parking or the surrounding area commence. Information will include practical details such as timing, anticipated impacts, access and parking arrangements, deliveries, and project contact information. Communication arrangements for the construction phase will be finalised as delivery planning progresses. In the meantime, project enquiries can be directed to infowa@chl.org.au.

The mature jacaranda tree on the site is to be relocated to a more prominent location near King William Street, where it will become a feature of the project’s landscape design. Mature tree relocation requires careful preparation before the actual move, including specialist advice, monitoring and management to support the tree’s health. While some early preparation works have begun, the relocation is currently estimated for early 2027, subject to root growth, weather conditions and the project approvals process.

Some early preparation work was undertaken in mid-2026 to support the planned relocation of the jacaranda tree. This work was undertaken to support the tree’s health and included preparation of the root ball, irrigation, monitoring and ongoing maintenance. It is separate from main construction and will continue subject to specialist arborist advice and relevant project approvals.

The King William Street development will house a mix of eligible households across 52 social (Band A) and 20 affordable (Band B) homes. This may include people on very low incomes, as well as households on low to moderate incomes eligible for affordable housing, including key workers who need to live close to jobs, education, public transport, shops and services. Safe, secure and affordable homes support people to focus on their family, health, wellbeing, education, career as well as participate more fully in their community.

Social housing (Band A) is developed for people on very low incomes who may find it difficult to access private market housing. Social housing can be managed and owned by both government and community housing providers like CHL. With a significant shortage of social housing in Australia, places are allocated to people who are on state government waiting lists, based on need and a range of other eligibility criteria with rents based on income affordability.

Affordable housing (Band B) is designed to support eligible households to alleviate housing stress by offering discounted market rates for rent based on income. Affordable housing provides opportunities for low to moderate income households to live in well located areas close to jobs, transport and services where they would otherwise be excluded by high private market rents. This can include housing for key workers, such as healthcare workers, emergency services and teachers.

Social housing (Band A) will be allocated to people on the WA State Government’s Joint Wait List in accordance with eligibility policies and criteria.

CHL will manage the affordable housing (Band B) application and allocation process, with expressions of interest opening closer to project completion. In accordance with eligibility and allocation requirements, CHL will seek a diverse mix of residents and, where policy permits, prioritise local key workers and applicants with connections to Bayswater and surrounding areas to help foster a balanced and inclusive community. Further information about eligibility and assessment criteria will be provided closer to completion.

For more information about Western Australian Social Housing (Band A) and Affordable Housing (Band B) Income and Asset Eligibility Criteria, visit this document: community-housing-eligibility-policy_may-2026.pdf

People seeking social housing (Band A) should apply to, or remain on, the state government’s social housing wait list. People interested in affordable housing (Band B) at King William Street, Bayswater will be able to apply through CHL once expressions of interest open closer to project completion. CHL will share more information about eligibility and how to apply at that time.

CHL will have a long-term role in managing the development, including tenancy and property management services. Through day-to-day management and community-building activities, CHL will work to support a safe, well-managed and inclusive community. Before residents move in, an Operational Management Plan will be developed to guide the ongoing operation of the building, including management responsibilities, resident move-ins and move-outs, communal spaces, after-hours issues, security and incident response.

Detailed design will also incorporate lighting and safety measures informed by Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. CHL provides a 24/7 Contact Centre (1300 245 468) for urgent maintenance issues and after-hours assistance. As an experienced community housing provider, CHL operates in accordance with all relevant legislation, policies and privacy requirements, with a focus on supporting the safety and wellbeing of residents and the broader community.

Safety is being addressed through both the design of the development and its ongoing management. The approved design includes welcoming street-level spaces, passive surveillance, clear sightlines, controlled residential access, lighting, and well-defined public and private areas.

The development approval also requires a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment, a Lighting Strategy and an Operational Management Plan. These measures will help inform the detailed design and ongoing operation of the building.

CHL will manage the development through its established tenancy and property management processes and provides a 24/7 Contact Centre for residents. While CHL is responsible for managing the building and its tenancies, broader public areas outside the development, including the surrounding station precinct, are managed by other agencies and landowners.