Advocacy - Activation of Yanchep Strategic Centre

The City of Wanneroo is one of the largest growing local governments in Western Australia, already home to more than 250,000 people across 685km². 

An outer metro centre on the fringe of the Perth metropolitan area, Yanchep is one of the fastest-growing areas within the rapidly expanding City. The local catchment expected to rely on its services is forecast to increase from 74,118 in 2024, to 185,614 by 2046.

Serving a rapidly expanding metropolitan fringe and a broader catchment extending into surrounding peri-urban communities, coordinated development is required to catalyse private investment and fully realise the resulting economic activity and employment potential.

Strategic centres play a critical role in reducing congestion pressures on metropolitan areas by enabling jobs and services closer to where people live. State Planning Policy 4.2: Activity Centres defines strategic centres as servicing a population (trade) area of 300,000 – 400,000 people. 

As a designated Strategic Centre, Yanchep is expected to provide a full range of economic, health, community and social services, supported by strong public transport and opportunities for business clustering.

Without proactive planning and coordinated delivery, the Yanchep community will be significantly disadvantaged, requiring residents to travel long distances for employment, services and facilities, placing pressure on transport networks and impacting economic participation, liveability and household costs.

This growth presents a significant opportunity to support economic development and service delivery in Perth’s northern corridor.

Significant State and Federal investment have already been made in enabling infrastructure, including the Yanchep rail extension and major road upgrades. The City of Wanneroo has progressed key community infrastructure, such as the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Splendid Park and the Yanchep Lagoon Master Plan. 

There is significant opportunity to build on this investment to fully realise the area’s potential through planned and purposeful delivery. 

In 2024, the Minister for Planning accepted a recommendation from the Western Australian Planning Commission that the land identified for the Yanchep City Centre be subject of Improvement Plan No. 60 – Yanchep City Centre, for the purpose of advancing the planning, development and use of the land. 

Government investment is bolstered by increasing private investment in Yanchep, including the new St Mathews Anglican School, opening 2027, and a $12 million retail investment in Yanchep Village Shopping Centre. The 2026 WA State Budget also outlined land releases and housing development around Yanchep Train precinct.

With many key stakeholders involved, including State Government agencies, landowners, developers, community and the City, the Centre is at high risk of fragmented development, delayed delivery and inefficient use of resources.

To achieve the State’s vision and unlock the full economic and social potential of the Yanchep Strategic Centre, coordinated delivery of employment, services and infrastructure is required to service a catchment of up to 300,000 people. 

This includes: 

• Primary centre for businesses and employment 
• Schools and higher education services
• Hospital and health services
• Sport and recreation facilities
• Retail, entertainment, hospitality 
• Civic and community services. 

Coordinated delivery will support local job creation, reduce the need for long-distance commuting and strengthen the economic self-sufficiency of Perth’s northern corridor.

The City of Wanneroo is ready to work in partnership with State and Federal Government agencies, landowners and service providers to support coordinated planning and delivery.

• Yanchep Strategic Centre - Advocacy Factsheet (PDF 6.75 MB)
• Yanchep City Centre Improvement Plan No. 60 (PDF)

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