The City of Swan is home to one of the fastest-growing populations in Perth. Our population was 179,207 in 2024, and it is forecast to grow to 300,000 by 2050.
We are focused on making sure current and future communities have the infrastructure they need to enjoy living, working and thriving in Swan. We will continue to advocate, coordinate and deliver to meet the changing needs and aspirations of our growing community.
The Built Environment key result area (KRA) is guided by three goals and supporting objectives shaped by community feedback and incorporated into the Strategic Community Plan 2025-2035 (SCP). These goals reflect the outcomes that matter most to our community and provide the framework for delivering sustainable growth and quality infrastructure across the City:
- Accessible infrastructure that meets present and future community need:
- Provide sustainable, well-maintained and accessible community facilities
- Create and enhance public spaces and parks
- Accessible and sustainable movement:
- Provide and maintain a safe and accessible network of roads, cycle paths and footpaths, connecting people and places.
- Sustainable growth:
- Facilitate urban growth, while minimising the impact on the natural environment
- Balance development with preservation and protection of the City’s heritage
The 10 primary services that help us deliver our Built Environment KRA outcomes are asset planning and management services, building approval services, building maintenance and servicing, civil infrastructure construction, design and project delivery, engineering infrastructure and lighting maintenance, fleet and depot, planning approval services, strategic land use services and park and reserve maintenance.
Other services that help us deliver this KRA include natural area management, leisure services and property and investment.
|
# |
Measure |
Target |
How we are tracking |
|
1 |
Percentage of community that like living in their area |
Maintain above 80% |
88% in 2026 |
|
2 |
Percentage of community satisfied with streetscapes and public spaces |
Achieve above 40% |
49% in 2026 |
|
3 |
Percentage of community satisfied with community buildings |
Maintain above 65% |
73% in 2026 |
|
4 |
Percentage of community satisfied with ovals and outdoor sports facilities |
Maintain above 70% |
78% in 2026 |
|
5 |
Percentage of community satisfied with parks |
Maintain above 65% |
75% in 2026 |
|
6 |
Percentage of community satisfied with local roads |
Maintain above 60% |
72% in 2026 |
|
7 |
Percentage of community satisfied with footpaths |
Maintain above 50% |
63% in 2026 |
|
8 |
Percentage of community satisfied with cycle network |
Maintain above 60% |
67% in 2026 |
|
9 |
Percentage of community satisfied with preserving local heritage |
Maintain above 70% |
78% in 2026 |
|
10 |
Km additional footpaths |
An additional 15km per annum |
*77km in 2026 |
|
11 |
Km additional cycle paths |
An additional 1km per annum |
*8km in 2026 |
|
12 |
Asset consumption ratio |
Maintain above 50% |
70.3% in 2026 |
|
Asset sustainability ratio |
Maintain above 90% |
81.6% in 2026 |
|
|
Asset renewal funding ratio |
Between 75-95% or higher |
89.3% in 2026 |
* The increase in footpath and cycle path reported in 2026 is a result of the delivery of new infrastructure and a comprehensive review by the City of its footpaths and cycle paths network.
Accessible infrastructure that meets present and future community need
The City's asset planning, infrastructure delivery, facility management and maintenance programs help ensure our community has access to quality facilities, parks and public spaces both now and into the future.
As our population grows, we continue investing in facilities and public infrastructure that boost liveability, support healthy lifestyles and create welcoming places for people to connect.
During 2025/26, the City delivered several significant community infrastructure projects that provide modern, inclusive and accessible facilities for residents. Key projects completed during the year included the Ellenbrook Community Centre, the Swan Active Midland Family Change Facility, the refurbishment of the Midland Junction Arts Centre and the Charlotte’s Vineyard Pavilion.
The City also continued to progress several major projects to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with population growth. Construction continued on Swan Active Ellenbrook, the Brabham District Community Centre, the Brabham East Pavilion and upgrades to the Recycling Centre – Bullsbrook. These projects will provide additional recreational, community and essential service infrastructure for our growing community.
Our parks and public spaces were further enhanced through the delivery of Sam Rosa Park, playground upgrades, tree-planting programs, shade structures and public art installations. These improvements contribute to creating attractive, welcoming and family-friendly places for the community to enjoy.
The City is also investing in the revitalisation of Midland through the Forging Ahead: Midland’s Renewal program, which will boost public spaces, support local businesses and create more attractive and welcoming streetscapes. Alongside these projects, our ongoing asset renewal and maintenance programs help ensure community facilities, parks and public infrastructure remain well maintained, accessible and capable of meeting community needs now and into the future.
Community satisfaction with the City's infrastructure and public places remains strong. These results demonstrate the value of continued investment in community facilities, parks and public spaces across the City. The City also maintained solid asset management performance, with asset consumption, sustainability and renewal funding ratios supporting the long-term planning, maintenance and renewal of community infrastructure.
Construction will continue on major projects including Swan Active Ellenbrook, Brabham District Community Centre, Brabham East Pavilion and Recycling Centre – Bullsbrook upgrades.
We will continue delivering park upgrades, tree planting initiatives, playground improvements and public realm projects across the City.
As part of the Forging Ahead: Midland’s Renewal program, we will work with key stakeholders to deliver streetscape improvements, increased tree planting, better lighting and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure.
The City will continue monitoring asset renewal requirements and investing in the maintenance and replacement of community facilities, parks and other public assets to ensure they remain fit for purpose and meet future community needs.
Accessible and sustainable movement
To support our growing community, we continue to provide safe, accessible and sustainable transport options that connect people with jobs, services, schools, recreation facilities and activity centres.
We work closely with State Government agencies and developers to deliver road, footpath, cycleway and public transport infrastructure that improves connectivity and supports future growth.
The City continues investing in road, cycle and footpath infrastructure to improve safety, accessibility and movement across the City.
During 2025/26, work progressed on the Gnangara Road duplication project, while a range of road reconstruction, resurfacing and traffic management projects improved local road conditions and safety.
We delivered important road safety improvements through State and Federal Black Spot funded projects and continued upgrades to local road infrastructure.
Through our planning and advocacy work, we continue supporting transit-oriented development around METRONET stations and ensuring growth areas incorporate sustainable transport outcomes, including improved access to public transport, walking and cycling networks.
Community satisfaction with transport infrastructure remains above target across all key measures. These results demonstrate the positive impact of ongoing investment in roads, footpaths and cycling infrastructure.
The City also conducted a comprehensive review of the footpath and cycle path network, identifying 77 kilometres of new footpaths and 8 kilometres of additional cycle paths. This review will help inform future infrastructure planning and investment, making it easier for residents to move around the City and access key destinations.
We will continue delivering major transport infrastructure projects, including the Gnangara Road duplication and other road improvement initiatives across the City.
Investment in footpath and cycle network expansion will continue to improve active transport options and provide safer connections between homes, schools, community facilities and activity centres.
The City will continue working with State Government agencies to integrate sustainable transport outcomes into growth areas and support increased public transport use around METRONET stations.
Future planning will focus on strengthening connectivity, improving road safety and ensuring transport infrastructure keeps pace with the City's continued growth.
Sustainable growth
We need sound planning processes in place to make sure our growing community has everything it needs now and into the future to live comfortably and thrive.
As one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing local governments, the City continues to plan for future housing, infrastructure, employment and services while balancing environmental protection and heritage conservation.
The City is progressing Draft Local Planning Scheme No.18, which will guide future land use and development across the City and support long-term sustainable growth.
During 2025/26, the City issued more than 4,500 building approvals with a value exceeding $1.4 billion, helping deliver much-needed housing and investment opportunities across the City.
We continue to work closely with State Government agencies, developers, landowners and infrastructure providers to coordinate growth and advocate for essential services and infrastructure that support our growing population.
Population planning indicates that current Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendments and Improvement Schemes provide capacity for an additional 55,000 residents, supporting growth to about 242,000 people over the next 12 years.
To improve customer experience and development outcomes, we have streamlined planning and development approval processes and expanded our pre-lodgement advice service. More residents, businesses and developers are using these services to improve application quality and assessment efficiency.
The City has also strengthened heritage protection through the adoption of an expanded Local Heritage Survey and Heritage List. There are now 341 places on the Local Heritage Survey and 114 places on the Heritage List, helping preserve places of local significance as the community grows.
The City continues to support strong growth while maintaining community satisfaction and protecting local character. Residential development activity remained strong, with ongoing subdivision activity in growth areas such as Brabham, Bullsbrook, Henley Brook and Ellenbrook, while infill development continued across established suburbs.
We will continue progressing Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 18 towards public advertising and future adoption.
The City will continue working with State Government agencies, landowners and developers to facilitate sustainable urban growth while advocating for the schools, transport, health services, utilities and community infrastructure needed to support future residents.
We will continue improving planning assessment processes, expanding digital services and enhancing pre-lodgement advice to support housing supply and investment.
The review of the Woodbridge Conservation Precinct Local Planning Policy will continue, and the City will further strengthen heritage conservation through ongoing management of the Local Heritage Survey and Heritage List.
We will also continue research into the future role of Ellenbrook as a Strategic Centre and support planning around METRONET stations and other key growth areas.