In 2018-19, the University undertook extensive stakeholder engagement to inform the 2020 UWA Crawley Campus Masterplan. This high-level plan guides how we align our physical and digital environments with our vision for greater connectivity, engagement and a vibrant campus experience for our students, staff and community.

Through this process, it was identified that:

• The Crawley and QEIIMC campuses have capacity to support long-term growth.
• Many existing buildings at Nedlands, are outdated and require significant investment to meet contemporary education standards.
• Consolidating core University activities at Crawley and QEIIMC is the most sustainable and strategic approach.

The Nedlands site was therefore identified as an underperforming asset no longer fit for purpose. It lacks the facilities required for a modern teaching and research environment and would need substantial upgrades.

Since then, UWA has continued to engage with key stakeholders, including local and state planning authorities and the broader community. This planning is being considered alongside the broader precinct planning process for the UWA-QEII Specialised Activity Centre*.

^{* Activity centres are multifunctional community focal points typically well-serviced by transport networks. They may include a mix of commercial, retail, food and hospitality, higher-density housing, entertainment, tourism, civic/community, higher education, and medical services, with a focus on walkability and integrated design.}

Planning for the Nedlands site remains ongoing. Considerations include: 

• Potential future uses such as university functions, community facilities, commercial spaces, student accommodation and residential development.
• Feedback from stakeholders and the community.
• Integration of traffic, access, parking and built form solutions with the surrounding precinct.
• Opportunities to strengthen connections between Crawley and QEIIMC campuses.
• Creating long-term value which the University can reinvest into contemporary facilities and services at Crawley and QEIIMC campuses.
• The objectives of the Improvement Plan No. 63.

Initially, UWA sought amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme and the City of Perth’s Local Planning Scheme to allow broader uses for the site.

Planning for the Nedlands site was being progressed alongside the City of Perth’s precinct planning process for the UWA-QEII Activity Centre.

However, in 2024, the State Government announced it would develop a new planning framework through an Improvement Plan / Improvement Scheme. This will ultimately supersede the City of Perth’s existing planning scheme.

While the Improvement Scheme will not be operational until at least 2027, UWA has continued pro-active engagement with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the City of Perth. The Nedlands Masterplan will inform and support the State Government’s planning process.

As outlined in the 2020 UWA Crawley Campus Masterplan, the University is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of its campuses for future generations.

Any future planning for alternative uses of its surplus landholdings will be guided by a responsibility to future generations and a commitment to delivering lasting educational, social and economic benefit to Western Australia.

UWA has engaged a team of expert consultants in planning, design, heritage, environment and infrastructure to support the development of a masterplan.

Key phases of planning include:

2021-22: Initial engagement to inform early concept planning

2022-24: Detailed planning for the Student Accommodation project

2025-26: Refinement and finalisation of the Nedlands Masterplan (current phase)

2025-26: Masterplan endorsed by UWA Senate

2025-27: Preparation of the UWA-QEII Improvement Scheme by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

2027-28 (estimated): Improvement Scheme operational and guiding future development

No final decisions have been made. UWA is considering a range of potential uses, informed by previous stakeholder feedback, site studies, feasibilities and market conditions. These include: 

• Diverse forms of accommodation (residential, student, short-stay,  QEIIMC-related). 
• Commercial, retail and hospitality outlets. 
• Community services such as childcare, allied health and an Innovation Hub.  

All proposals will be assessed in line with planning requirements and UWA’s long-term strategic goals. 

Initial engagement in 2021-22 included community consultations, focus groups, surveys, pop-ups, design workshops and cultural engagement with Aboriginal Elders, led by UWA Cultural Advisor Dr Richard Walley.

Community and stakeholder input continues to inform the planning process. UWA has used:

• Website updates
• Local advertising; site signage; letter drops; emails and flyers
• Walking tour and cultural heritage videos
• Direct engagement with stakeholder

For more information, see Nedlands engagement summary [PDF 226 KB]

UWA is currently refining the Nedlands Masterplan (2025-26), once it is endorsed by the University Senate, it will be used to inform the UWA-QEII Improvement Scheme (which is being prepared in parallel by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage).

Next steps include:

• Further engagement with stakeholders and the community
• Finalisation and endorsement of the Nedlands Masterplan by UWA Senate
• Engagement with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to inform the development and implementation of the new Improvement Scheme
• Continued planning and design work of future projects

Timing and progress will also be influenced by planning approvals, infrastructure needs, financial feasibility and community feedback.

No decisions have been made. UWA is exploring options including retaining part of the site or entering joint ventures. The University is committed to ongoing engagement and will provide updates as planning progresses.

The University recognises that childcare is an important service to UWA and the local community. The existing facility will remain for the medium term. Its future will be considered as part of the planning process, with decisions guided by engagement, feasibility studies and community needs.

No. The Nedlands site has no heritage-listed buildings or any formal heritage registrations.

The Nedlands campus is predominantly used for university purposes and is not easily accessible to the broader community. Redevelopment would open the site to the public and support the potential provision of community facilities; local retail and hospitality facilities and provide greater housing choice in the local area to cater for a growing population.

Consolidating education activities on to the Crawley and QEIIMC campuses will also enhance the student experience, by enabling students to be better integrated with core campus functions.

While neighbouring properties do not provide community access, it is proposed that community access will be provided to the grounds and amenities on the Nedlands site.

UWA is undertaking a masterplanning process to support high-quality future outcomes for both the University and the wider community. The Nedlands Masterplan will be used as an advocacy document to inform the State Government’s UWA-QEII Improvement Scheme. This process will establish development standards that define in detail what is (and isn’t) allowed to be developed on the site.

Currently, the site is reserved for ‘Public Purposes’ (University), which does not include specific controls around building heights, setbacks and design. Whereas this new planning framework will result in development controls that clearly articulate development standards for the site and surrounding area, including building heights, setbacks, parking requirements and permissible land uses.

Once in place, these controls will ensure any future development aligns with agreed planning objectives and community expectations.

Under the existing land zoning as ‘Public Purposes’ (University) there are no restrictions on building heights or setbacks and other building controls are unrestricted. This will change under the proposed UWA-QEII Improvement Scheme, which will introduce key requirements such as heights and building setbacks addressing these aspects.

Community engagement revealed a preference for taller, more slender buildings that maximise open space and tree canopy, rather than lower, bulkier buildings that occupy more land area.

The tallest buildings proposed would be positioned along Stirling Highway, away from existing residential streets. This location minimises impact on neighbouring homes and places larger buildings closer to commercial areas.

The proposed scale of the buildings and placement are informed by extensive engagement and research undertaken by the University’s expert advisory team to determine viable and sustainable development.

Any revenue generated from the redevelopment will be reinvested to support UWA’s strategic priorities across teaching, research and IT infrastructure.

• Developing modern facilities for the schools relocated from the Park Avenue site.
• Upgrading infrastructure at Crawley and QEIIMC campuses.
• Enhancing digital infrastructure to support teaching and learning.
• Investing in contemporary equipment and resources.

Yes. UWA Cultural Advisor Dr Richard Walley has conducted cultural studies of the Nedlands site in consultation with Aboriginal Elders and the project planning team. Dr Walley’s findings shaped the design process and will continue to guide how the site is used and developed through the inclusion of cultural narratives.

The planning process has been informed by ecological and cultural studies. Site masterplanning prioritises the preservation of existing trees, particularly native species and those with high retention value. Culturally significant trees will also be retained on site, including four identified ‘Sheoak’ trees.

UWA is committed to preserving its natural heritage, including trees of cultural and ecological significance, which reflect Whadjuk Country’s heritage and UWA’s identity. In collaboration with a cultural adviser, UWA ensures the planning and design of its projects respect and integrate cultural heritage values, including the significance of trees and the surrounding landscape.

While some trees will be removed to enable future development, these trees are generally introduced species and are identified as having lower retention value. To help balance any tree removal, the Nedlands Masterplan will identify areas for new tree planting to enhance public spaces. This will include harvesting of seeds from existing trees which will be grown off-site, and saplings replanted to support environmental outcomes through the restoration of native landscapes.

These practices strengthen UWA’s connection to natural and cultural heritage, ensuring the campus remains a living story of community and place.