The City of Armadale’s Advocacy Priorities Strategy outlines six transformative projects to elevate Armadale into a thriving Strategic Metropolitan Centre, unlocking economic growth, enhancing community wellbeing, and addressing social disadvantage through targeted investment in city centre revitalisation, health, recreation, and community infrastructure.
Project cost
$150,000 (per year)
Project timeframe
8 years
What was the problem or opportunity being addressed?
Armadale is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, with rapid population growth outpacing infrastructure and service investment, leading to rising unemployment, youth disengagement, and social disadvantage. This challenge also presents an opportunity to transform Armadale into a vibrant Strategic Metropolitan Centre by attracting investment, creating local jobs, and delivering essential community and city centre infrastructure to support sustainable growth and improved quality of life.
How the project addressed the problem or opportunity
The City of Armadale developed the Advocacy Priorities Strategy 2023-2030, identifying six key projects supported by robust business cases to target State and Federal funding. Through strategic partnerships, evidence-based planning, and proactive engagement with government, industry, and the community, the City positioned these projects to unlock investment, stimulate economic growth, and deliver vital infrastructure and services for Armadale’s rapidly growing population.
Project outcomes
The City of Armadale’s Advocacy Priorities Strategy has delivered significant outcomes, securing over $37.8 million in State, Federal, and local funding commitments during the 2024-25 financial year to advance transformational projects across the City.
Key outcomes include:
- Armadale Regional Recreation Reserve (ARRR): Secured $20 million in State Government funding, matched by a $10 million contribution from the City, for Stage 1 of the ARRR. The City is currently working on securing a matching contribution by Federal Government via its Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program.
- Central Park: Progressed to detailed design with State Government’s Metronet support and a $4 million City allocation, this project will create a vibrant public open space adjacent to the redeveloped Armadale Train Station. Central Park will feature family-friendly play areas, youth spaces, and improved pedestrian connections, becoming a major city centre destination and catalyst for surrounding development.
- Champion Centre: Secured over $2 million in Federal funding to support programs delivered through the Champion Centre, an essential community hub for Armadale’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Health & Medical Precinct: Advanced through business case development, this proposed $494 million precinct is planned to address significant health service gaps in Armadale, offering expanded mental health services, cancer screening, and allied health facilities. The precinct is positioned to support over 3,600 local jobs and reduce pressure on existing health infrastructure.
- Civic Precinct Redevelopment (City Views): Developed a detailed concept for a new Civic Precinct, estimated at $147 million, to transform Armadale’s city centre. Plans include mixed-use civic, commercial, and community facilities, including high-quality public open spaces, projected to inject $127 million into the local economy and support 78 local jobs annually during construction. The City is currently preparing a detailed Business Case for the redevelopment of its Civic Precinct.
- Hilbert District Community Centre and Library: Progressed planning for a new $12.1 million multi-purpose community hub to serve the high-growth suburbs of Hilbert and Haynes. The facility will include a library, event spaces, and community services, integrated with nearby retail and public spaces to foster social connection and community development.
Collectively, these projects are driving significant economic, social, and community benefits by:
- creating local jobs during construction and operation phases
- stimulating private investment in Armadale’s city centre and beyond
- improving health, wellbeing, and social inclusion across diverse communities
- delivering high-quality infrastructure to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, and
- positioning Armadale as a vibrant and competitive Strategic Metropolitan Centre in Perth’s south-east corridor.
Lessons learnt
The City of Armadale gained several important insights through the development and delivery of the Advocacy Priorities Strategy, which will shape future economic development and advocacy efforts:
- advocacy must be strategic and continuous
- investment-readiness builds credibility
- regional collaboration amplifies impact
- community engagement strengthens projects
- internal alignment and governance are essential
- flexibility is critical in a changing environment, and
- effective communication drives support.
These lessons have reinforced that successful advocacy and economic development require a combination of strategic planning, evidence, partnerships, adaptability, and community trust.
