The WA government has merged its two principal planning and development agencies, Landcorp and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, into a new body called Development WA.
While the MRA oversaw the planning of redevelopment in Perth and its surrounds, Landscorp had a state-wide responsibility for releasing land for residential and commercial development.
Ben Wyatt, WA lands minister, said in a statement, “Development WA is set to transform the way we design and develop land developments in our state.
“This fully integrated planning and development agency will have a hands on role in shaping our state’s future by designing and developing the places we call home, the jobs which support us and the communities we share.
“The projects available are diverse and offer great opportunities for industry to partner with us to further strengthen our economy.
“The creation of Development WA will help secure our state’s social and economic prosperity, streamline processes and deliver greater transparency.”
The MRA oversaw a number of high-profile architectural works in Perth, including ARM Architecture and Taylor Cullity Lethlean’s Elizabeth Quay, and Yagan Square, by Lyons in collaboration with Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects and landscape architects Aspect Studios, which received the John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design at the 2019 WA Architecture Awards
Landcorp instigated a number of experimental housing initiatives, including WVG at White Gum Valley, which incorporates the Gen Y Housing Demonstration Project by David Barr Architects and a Baugruppe project designed by Spaceagency Architects, as well as the Knutsford multiresidential development, also by Spaceagency Architects, which won the 2016 Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing.
