Major milestone as one of Perth's biggest shopping centres approved

• Major expansion of Westfield Booragoon approved by WA Planning Commission
• 20 projects worth more than $2.66 billion now approved through Part 17 pathway
• Approved projects will support more than 14,000 jobs 
• Another 31 projects worth $2.96 billion currently in Part 17 pathway
  

The State Government has welcomed the 20th application to be approved through the major development pathway - after a $792 million expansion of Westfield Booragoon Shopping Centre was approved by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) today.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said the milestone determination by the WAPC brought the total value of projects approved through the Part 17 pathway to $2.66 billion.

The 20 projects will deliver a major injection to the state's economy and are expected to generate more than 14,000 jobs.

With another 31 projects valued at $2.96 billion under assessment by the State Development Assessment Unit, the total value of the 51 significant projects is expected to be more than $5.63 billion.

Westfield Booragoon will be the latest Perth shopping centre to undergo redevelopment since the WAPC approved the $1.08 billion expansion of Cockburn Gateway Shopping City through the pathway in October 2021.

The State Government introduced the temporary Part 17 pathway in May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to stimulate major construction projects and support a pipeline of jobs. The pathway is open to projects worth $20 million or more in the metropolitan area and $5 million or more in the regions.

Last June, the pathway was extended to the end of 2023 along with the introduction of a one-off extension of time for approved developments in response to industry pressures.

Other approvals include the State Football Centre in Queens Park, which will be complete for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in July-August, extension of a wharf at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, and an LNG plant in the Mid-West which was completed last year - among $70 million worth of regional projects.

Comments attributed to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The expansion of the popular and iconic Westfield Booragoon Shopping Centre will create some outstanding new retail opportunities, as well as improve amenity for the local community with the redevelopment's new leisure, hospitality and entertainment precinct.

"The project is the latest to be approved through the Part 17 pathway which is helping streamline the assessment of complex, significant projects, injecting significant investment into the State's economy and creating a pipeline of jobs for Western Australians.

"Each application through the Part 17 pathway is subject to consideration by the State Design Review Panel, reviewed against the relevant local planning framework and State planning policies, public consultation and referral to regulatory authorities to inform the final determination by the WAPC.

"The State Government is progressing work on a permanent pathway to supersede Part 17 in assessing significant developments, and I'm looking forward to sharing details in due course."

Minister's office - 6552 5500