$65 Million Retail Development Set to Transform Perth's Treeby Suburb
A $65 million development has been unanimously approved for the Perth suburb of Treeby, promising to put the previously little-known area firmly on the map. The Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel gave the green light last month to the proposal from Rowe Group, acting on behalf of property owner South Central WA.
Development Details and Location
The project will be constructed on a 14-hectare former quarry site at lots 403 and 701 Armadale Road, approximately one kilometre east of Cockburn Central. The site will feature 26 tenancies of varying sizes and uses across seven buildings, positioned behind an existing The Good Guys store.
Tenancy types will include:
- Showrooms
- Warehouses
- Cafes and food outlets
- A gymnasium
The large format retail tenancies, cafes, and food outlets are expected to operate seven days a week, with trading hours from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, extended hours on Thursday evenings, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. The gymnasium is anticipated to operate seven days a week, potentially offering 24-hour access.
Community Amenities and Infrastructure
A 150-square-metre "pocket park" will be created adjacent to the gym, cafe, and food tenancies, providing green space for visitors. An existing business on lot 403 will be removed to accommodate additional parking and a new accessway.
Most delivery and service vehicles will enter the site from the north-west via Biscayne Way and exit via Armadale Road to the south, aiming to manage traffic flow effectively.
Economic Impact and Significance
Deputy presiding member Eugene Koltasz emphasised the scale of the development, noting it represents about 36,000 square metres of gross floor area. He stated, "By my calculation, it adds about 30 per cent to the existing service commercial offering in this general area. It puts this location on the map equivalent to other big service retail service commercial areas like Cannington."
Mr Koltasz praised the project as a well-planned development that aligns with Cockburn's growth objectives. "It's great to see a significant investment into the former quarry site here that we know is going to bring about more local jobs, more opportunities for small business, and really elevate that city's economic profile," he added.
Community Concerns and Approval Conditions
The development application received 18 public responses during the comment period, with 17 objections raising concerns about noise, ventilation, traffic, and lighting impacts.
Panel chair Francesca Lefante identified noise as the major potential effect from the development. In response, the approval includes specific conditions:
- Replacing four parking bays with landscaping
- Implementing noise attenuation measures to protect nearby residences
Rowe Group representatives advocated for tailored noise management plans for each tenancy rather than a blanket approach. One representative explained, "It's a really big site and some of the delivery areas are 150-plus metres away from residential areas and fully enclosed. Certainly those sections which abut the residential properties are going to have different requirements to those areas that are a long way away."
These tailored plans may include restrictions on delivery hours, days, times, and even vehicle types during specific periods. City of Cockburn officers requested the replacement of four parking bays due to concerns about managing night-time parking effectively.
This substantial investment marks a transformative moment for Treeby, promising to enhance local services, create employment opportunities, and significantly boost the suburb's commercial profile within the broader Perth metropolitan area.
