In a significant shift for Perth's industrial landscape, Heidelberg Materials has received the green light to expand its concrete batching facility in Canning Vale, paving the way for the closure of its long-standing plant in East Perth.
Approval for a Strategic Relocation
The Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel unanimously granted planning approval for the upgrade at its meeting on December 23, 2025. This move is part of a broader initiative to relocate heavy industry from the now-residential inner-city suburb of East Perth. Heidelberg is one of two companies instructed to move their batching operations out of East Perth by December 2027.
The company's East Perth plant has been operational for nearly four decades, dating back to when the area was primarily industrial. To accommodate the volume currently handled at East Perth, Heidelberg will significantly enhance its existing facility on Vulcan Road in Canning Vale.
Key Upgrades for the Canning Vale Site
The approved development includes a substantial upgrade to the Canning Vale plant, which has been in operation for approximately 30 years. The planned additions are critical for absorbing the East Perth workload:
- Four new 100-tonne cement silos.
- New cement scales and a covered load bay.
- A covered agitator loading bay and a conveyor with a head drum.
- Enhanced air filtration equipment and two new water pits.
It is important to note that this decision constitutes planning approval only. Building permits are still required before any construction work can commence on site.
Addressing Community and Operational Needs
During the panel meeting, planning representative Amanda Butterworth outlined the rationale. She noted that the Roe Highway and Whaleback Golf Course act as buffers between the Canning Vale industrial site and the nearest homes, mitigating amenity impacts.
Ms Butterworth explained that the upgrade is essential to handle the concrete volume from East Perth. She also addressed operational changes, stating that while the plant runs 24 hours, peak production would shift to early morning hours—typically between 3am and 7am—to supply high-specification concrete for major Perth CBD projects.
"For larger building projects in the Perth CBD, high specification concrete is usually poured in the early hours of the morning to enable the poured concrete to be monitored as it sets during the day," the development application stated. This schedule also helps agitator trucks avoid contributing to peak-hour congestion.
Ms Butterworth reassured the panel that concrete is batched only to order and the plant would not be operating continuously from the early morning. "It would not be running from 3am 'all day every day'," she clarified.
Panel and Council Support
City of Canning mayor and panel member Patrick Hall expressed no concerns about the area's amenity being adversely affected and did not foresee a significant increase in traffic movements from the site.
Canning councillor and panel member Ben Kunze strongly endorsed the proposal, highlighting Canning Vale's role as a major strategic industrial centre. "If you're not putting batching plants in these sorts of areas, I don't know where you could put them," Cr Kunze said. "The proximity of Roe Highway makes this an ideal site. I'm glad after many years of discussing East Perth batching plants that Heidelberg has decided to come to the City of Canning."
The proposal did attract three public objections during the consultation period, citing concerns over noise, dust, and traffic safety. In response, the approval is subject to conditions, including the implementation of environmental and dust management plans. A report prepared for the panel concluded that the proposal was suitable for the industrial area.
