A significant milestone has been reached for the transformation of Perth's cherished Yanchep Lagoon, with major infrastructure works now officially green-lit. The City of Wanneroo has awarded contracts worth $1.35 million to kickstart essential service upgrades, marking the first tangible step in a long-term vision to revitalise the popular coastal precinct.
Contracts Awarded for Essential Works
At its latest council meeting, the City approved the substantial contracts for upgrade works along Brazier Road. These foundational infrastructure projects are scheduled to commence in June 2026 and are expected to take approximately a year, targeting completion by mid-2027. The works will install crucial utilities, which are a prerequisite for future developments, most notably paving the way for a new Dome cafe at the site of the Old Yanchep Surf Lifesaving Club.
North Ward Councillor Alex Figg, whose electorate includes Yanchep, hailed the decision as a major breakthrough. "It's excellent to see it progressing to a stage where we're going to see some real works on the ground," Cr Figg stated during the meeting. He acknowledged the successful upgrade of the Orion Cafe but emphasised that this new phase "paves the way... for a really significant amount of work that is going to be happening in the area."
Draft Management Plan Reveals Exciting Future
Simultaneously, the City has released the draft Yanchep Lagoon Foreshore Management Plan for public consultation, outlining an ambitious future for the precinct. The plan is designed to boost tourism, recreation, and local economic growth while protecting the area's unique coastal character.
The proposed developments within the draft plan include:
- A Beach Bar at The Settlement.
- A Family Cafe at Fisherman's Hollow.
- A new boardwalk connecting The Settlement and the Mary Lindsay Homestead.
- Enhanced walkways and lookouts at Dune Park.
- Approximately 300sqm of new retail space next to the Orion Cafe, envisioned for five small specialty shops such as a delicatessen or ice creamery.
Mayor Linda Aitken, who was involved in the initial master planning years ago, expressed her enthusiasm. "We can't wait until we get the Dome open up there and we start realising what's happening once we've got the services up there," Mayor Aitken said. "We need the infrastructure there before it can happen."
Balancing Development with Conservation
The foreshore plan also prioritises environmental protection. It proposes the establishment of two conservation areas aimed at safeguarding sensitive coastal environments. This careful planning is crucial as the lagoon's foreshore faces ongoing erosion challenges, requiring around 2000 tonnes of sand renourishment annually. All proposed developments are strategically planned to sit outside the 2070 erosion vulnerability line.
A City spokesperson highlighted the balanced approach, stating the plan explores "how the foreshore can better support community use for recreation, tourism and local business, while protecting the lagoon's character and unique natural environment for generations to come."
In addition to the major contracts, the City has already funded parking upgrades for the area, with detailed design and planning underway for delivery in 2026. The community now has the opportunity to shape the final vision, with consultation on the draft Yanchep Lagoon Foreshore Management Plan open until Sunday, February 8. Following this period, the council will consider all submissions before seeking final approval from the Western Australian Planning Commission.
