The Western Australian government has committed an initial AU$105 million to upgrade the Subiaco Water Resource Recovery Facility in Shenton Park, Perth, advancing engineering and design work on infrastructure intended to support future residential and urban development. The project will expand wastewater treatment capacity, with the proposed redevelopment expected to accommodate an additional 23 million litres of wastewater per day and support housing for 60,000 future homes.
Detailed design and engineering works are underway at the facility, which is operated by Water Corporation. The initial funding will support early design activities and site preparation for a compact, modernised treatment plant at the Lemnos Street location.
The upgrade addresses the need to expand essential utility infrastructure as Perth grows. Increased wastewater processing capacity is expected to support residential development across the city’s inner and western suburbs, including infill housing, precinct redevelopment and projects near major transport hubs.
The facility has operated since 1927 and currently processes approximately 65 million litres of wastewater daily from 120,000 households and businesses. Its service area extends from Scarborough to North Fremantle and east to Maylands.
Engineering Works Target Increased Treatment Capacity
The proposed redevelopment will add 23 million litres of daily wastewater treatment capacity to the existing facility. The expanded infrastructure is intended to service housing for more than 135,000 residents over the next 25 years.
The initial AU$105 million allocation supports the early stages of project development, including detailed design, engineering and site preparation. These activities will help establish the requirements for expanding treatment operations while accommodating the constraints of an established urban site.
The redevelopment plan centres on constructing a compact treatment plant at the Lemnos Street location. The design approach aims to increase processing capacity while continuing to serve households and businesses across the existing catchment.
For the construction and infrastructure sectors, the project highlights the role of wastewater treatment upgrades in supporting metropolitan development. Expanding utility capacity is an important part of preparing established urban areas for additional housing and higher population density.
Wastewater Infrastructure to Support Housing Development
The increased treatment capacity is expected to support housing and redevelopment projects across Perth. Planned growth areas include Subi East, Belmont Park Racecourse, Fremantle Port and key transport hubs.
These developments require supporting infrastructure capable of managing the wastewater generated by additional residents and businesses. Upgrading treatment facilities can help address utility capacity constraints that might otherwise limit the pace or scale of urban development.
Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the investment aligns with the state’s AU$10.8 billion housing strategy, which aims to accelerate land supply and expand housing density options.
The Subiaco wastewater upgrade project forms part of broader government investment in water, wastewater and drainage networks across Western Australia. More than AU$500 million has been allocated to expanding network capacity to support residential development.
The combination of treatment plant upgrades and wider network investment reflects the infrastructure requirements associated with accommodating population growth. For project owners and infrastructure planners, coordinating utility capacity with housing and precinct development is an important consideration in delivering new residential areas.
Design to Address Odour Control and Water Recycling
Alongside increased processing capacity, engineering work will examine advanced odour control systems to protect the amenity of surrounding neighbourhoods. The redevelopment will also consider enhanced water recycling capabilities.
These design elements address operational requirements associated with upgrading a wastewater facility in an established urban area. Odour management is particularly relevant where treatment infrastructure operates near residential communities, while water recycling can provide additional opportunities to reuse treated water.
Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli said, “This $105 million investment is the next step in creating more opportunities to recycle water and reduce demand on our drinking water supplies while supporting 60,000 future homes.”
The Subiaco wastewater upgrade project therefore combines expanded wastewater treatment with consideration of environmental management and water reuse. The final design will need to accommodate these requirements alongside the facility’s increased processing capacity.
Infrastructure Investment Supports Perth’s Long-Term Growth
The Subiaco Water Resource Recovery Facility upgrade represents a major infrastructure investment intended to support Perth’s future housing and urban redevelopment needs. Its proposed additional treatment capacity of 23 million litres per day is expected to help service 60,000 future homes and accommodate more than 135,000 residents over the next 25 years.
With detailed design, engineering and site preparation underway, the project is progressing through its early development stages. The initial funding provides for these activities, while the proposed plant redevelopment is intended to expand the capacity of a facility that has served Perth since 1927.
The project also illustrates the connection between water infrastructure investment and construction activity. Residential precincts, infill developments and higher-density housing rely on wastewater systems capable of supporting additional demand.
As Western Australia continues investing in water, wastewater and drainage capacity, projects such as the Subiaco upgrade will form part of the infrastructure planning required to support metropolitan growth.