New Satellite Town for Perth

Amarillo, a new town in the Perth metropolitan area, has been given approval by Western Australia’s Government. The 4000 ha, government-owned site is northeast of Mandurah and south of Rockingham. Located in the rapidly growing Southern Metro/Peel region, Amarillo will be connected to the Perth-Bunbury Highway at Paganoni Road.

The Amarillo development is considered a key plank in the Government’s plan to address the housing affordability crisis and the land supply shortage. “Our goal is to create a state-of-the-art, fully integrated urban community, and this plan brings us a step closer to making this happen,” housing minister Michelle Roberts said.

Amarillo will provide up to 35,000 building plots and house a maximum of 90,000 people. The new town will contain a variety of housing types and the first land releases are scheduled for 2011.

The plans requires the town design to be environmentally sensitive and sustainable. 25 percent of the development (1,000ha) will be set aside for parkland, conservation and public open space. The wetlands will be retained and water quality improved in the Serpentine River, creating new wildlife areas.

The next steps in the planning process are detailed investigations, which may take up to three years to complete.