Brand new images and details for Western Australia's groundbreaking first vertical public primary school have been made public, marking a significant step forward for education infrastructure in Perth's inner city.
A Vision for a Growing Community
The Western Australian Department of Housing and Works has released the development application for the highly anticipated East Perth primary school. Premier Roger Cook has championed the $165 million project as the state's inaugural vertical public primary school, designed to serve the expanding population in East Perth and encourage more families to live in the City of Perth.
The school is planned for a 1.76-hectare site, part of the former Queens Park Gardens car park on Nelson Crescent. Demolition of the old car park and initial earthworks have already commenced this month, handled by CPB Contractors.
Design Details and Future-Proofing
The innovative design, finalised by CPB Contractors in collaboration with EIW Architects and ARM Architecture, features a four-storey main block in a "U shape". It is set to cater for 600 students from kindergarten to Year 6, with a built-in design option to expand capacity for an additional 200 pupils in the future.
The facilities are extensive and spread across multiple levels:
- Eight kindergarten and pre-primary general learning areas.
- Sixteen general learning areas and 13 specialist classrooms.
- Collaboration rooms and flexible classroom spaces.
- A library and outdoor learning areas on various levels.
- Storage for 122 bicycles and scooters.
A separate two-floor hall facing Waterloo Crescent will house an assembly space, two more specialist classrooms, outside hours care, a canteen, and a sports equipment store. The central play space, named "the Heart", will be complemented by a sporting field, two multi-sport courts, and a 17-bay carpark.
The development application notes that the site of the 17-bay carpark may later provide space for future additional classrooms and a potential dental clinic, though any expansion would require a separate application.
Community Access and Next Steps
A key feature of the project is its intended integration with the local community. The design incorporates specific measures to allow public access to certain facilities, like the playing field and multi-sport courts, outside of regular school operating hours.
The land is now owned in freehold by the Minister for Education, following legislation passed last year that transferred it from the City of Perth. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-2026, with the school scheduled to open its doors at the start of the 2029 school year.
Public comment on the development application is currently open and will close on December 23, 2025, offering residents a final opportunity to provide feedback on the landmark project before it progresses further.
