Yes, the Park Avenue Building currently used by the School of Podiatry (formerly used for Zoology), is State heritage listed.

As part of the University’s due diligence, heritage consultants were engaged to assess the site. The current plans propose retaining both the Park Avenue Building and the original Lecture Theatre building.

Tuart House, the former Vice-Chancellor’s residence, has also been identified as being of heritage significance. UWA intends to pursue heritage listing for this building.

Yes. UWA Cultural Advisor Dr Richard Walley has undertaken cultural studies of the Park Avenue site in consultation with Aboriginal Elders and the project planning team. Dr Walley’s findings have been incorporated into the concept development and his cultural narratives will guide any future use of the site.

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 Park Avenue 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 proactive engagement with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the City of Perth. The Park Avenue Masterplan will inform and support the State Government’s planning process.

The Park Avenue site was originally the residence of the Vice-Chancellor of UWA. Over time, its use has supported a range of university-related purposes, while the heritage-listed building has remained in place.

Today, the site accommodates the UWA Podiatry Clinic, the WA Heritage Memorial and the Perth Festival team.

The proposed scale of development has been determined by extensive market analysis and feasibility by property market experts to determine the level of development that is needed to be both viable and able to generate revenue to improve the amenities and services, while also providing resources to be reinvested to meet the University’s key infrastructure needs.

UWA is undertaking a masterplanning process to support high-quality future outcomes for both the University and the wider community. The Park Avenue 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 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.

Yes, over time, University functions will be transitioned to Crawley and QEIIMC campuses to support a consolidated and sustainable campus experience. All courses and education will continue to be delivered by UWA.

No. The Park Avenue site is not an endowment property. It is understood to have been acquired by UWA in 1922 through a land exchange involving endowment lands.

Currently, Park Avenue is predominantly used for university purposes and is not publicly accessible. Redevelopment would create opportunities to open the site to the community supporting improved public access, local retail and community offerings and increased housing choice to cater for a growing population.

Unlike many surrounding properties, UWA’s vision includes protecting open space, enhancing local amenity and supporting broader local engagement.

UWA is currently refining the Park Avenue 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 Park Avenue 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.

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

Since then, UWA has continued to engage stakeholders through:

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

For more information, visit the Park Avenue engagement findings webpage.

No final decisions have been made. UWA is considering a range of potential uses for the Park Avenue site, informed by previous stakeholder feedback, site studies, feasibilities and market conditions.

Possible uses being considered include:

• A mix of accommodation (residential and short stay).
• Commercial, retail and hospitality outlets.
• Community facilities and services.

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

Key phases planning include:

• 2021-22: Initial engagement to inform early concept planning
• 2025-26: Refinement and finalisation of the Park Avenue 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

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 with respect for heritage, a responsibility to future generations and a commitment to delivering lasting educational, social and economic benefits to the Western Australia.

The planning process for the Park Avenue site has been informed by ecological and cultural studies. Tuart House Garden will be retained, along with a number of existing trees wherever possible, with priority given to retaining older native species. While some trees may need to be removed to allow for future development, these will generally be species of lower retention value.

To help balance any tree removal, the concept plans identify areas for new planting to enhance the site’s landscape and environmental outcomes. This includes the collection of seeds from existing trees to grow saplings off-site, which will then be replanted to support restoration of native vegetation and improve community amenity.

UWA recognises its important connection with Perth Festival, having founded the festival in 1953 from the University’s annual summer school entertainment nights as a ‘festival for the people’.

UWA respects the important role that Perth Festival plays as a not-for-profit multi-arts festival bringing world-class performance, music, film, visual arts, and literary events to Perth every summer.

It is proposed that Perth Festival will move in the near future as the current facilities are not fit for purpose; require significant maintenance and impinge on the ability for the festival to operate optimally. The relocation of Perth Festival to other premises will occur regardless of what is proposed in the planning for the Park Avenue site

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.

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 assets are outdated and require significant investment to meet contemporary education and research standards.
• Consolidating core University activities at Crawley and QEIIMC is the most sustainable and strategic approach.

The Park Avenue site was identified as an underperforming asset no longer fit for purpose. It lacks the facilities required for a modern and future-focused educational 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 generally 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.}

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 ground area.

The tallest buildings proposed would be located where they have the least impact on neighbouring properties. The site is already bordered by a number of existing residential towers with high-density land use that are not accessible to the community.

In comparison, plans for UWA’s Park Avenue site include retaining key heritage buildings, protecting significant trees, preserving large areas of open space, and allowing community access to the grounds.

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

Extensive technical studies and stakeholder engagement undertaken through the masterplan process are guiding this planning. The current phase will inform future decision making about the site’s use and ownership.

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.