Case Studies
Montario Quarter

Design Feature

Type of Project
Masterplan
State
Western Australia
Location
Urban
Montario Quarter is set to become a thriving new urban village that brings a new chapter into the colourful century-long history of the site.

This redevelopment breathes new life into the site of the former Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital, established in 1893. Originally developed as an infectious diseases hospital, the centre attracted global recognition in the 1950’s for its rehabilitation programs, which included support for those affected by spinal injuries. Set in natural bushland surroundings, the Shenton Park site took advantage of the natural environment to implement ground-breaking research that offered patients access to open space, light and fresh air.
The next evolution of inner city living
Located five kilometres from Perth Central Business District and only 400 metres from Shenton Park Train Station, the redevelopment will convert 15.8 hectares of surplus Government land into an urban village, comprising approximately 1,500 dwellings and leveraging the proximity of infrastructure and transport.
The redevelopment of the Montario Quarter site was a key Western Australian Government priority following the announcement of the relocation of the existing hospital functions to the Fiona Stanley Health Campus in 2014.
In considering the nature of the site alongside the various planning options available, Montario Quarter provided an ideal opportunity to introduce the state’s first metropolitan Improvement Scheme. An Improvement Scheme replaces the traditional regional and local planning frameworks – instead using a bespoke planning tool tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of a site.
 
Throughout the process, developers conducted extensive consultation with the local community and key stakeholders to help shape the future redevelopment of the former hospital site. This was facilitated through a dedicated Community Reference Group and Project Steering Committee, as well as a series of community forums, face-to-face meetings, stakeholder surveys, telephone questionnaires, an information line and a dedicated engagement website. 

These engagement channels helped to provide a better understanding of the community’s perceptions and values, whilst allowing them to be part of the future design of this historic site. 
The Improvement Scheme was approved and gazetted by the Minister for Planning on 17 January 2017. Demolition, civil works and landscaping for Stage 1 are now complete.

The first three development sites and almost all of the single residential homes have now been sold, with the first residents expected to move in by late 2020.
Project team
  • Developer – DevelopmentWA
  • Statutory Planning - Urbis
  • Urban Design / Architecture - CODA
  • Civil Engineers - Pritchard Francis
  • Landscape Architecture - Urbis
  • Environmental - Golders, EAA, Essential Environmental, PGV
  • Bushfire Management - Calibre (TME)
  • Heritage Architecture - Palassis Architects
  • Sustainability - Cundall
  • Community Development – element
  • Demolition and Civil Works - RJ Vincent
  • Landscaping Works- MG Group

Project cost
Unknown
Health Value
  • Montario Quarter has been designed around the site’s history as a place of healing. Wards within the former hospital were built with views over gardens and trees, following the belief that nature could provide a source of healing. This principle has been continued at Montario Quarter through tree-lined streets, retained bushland and other public open spaces comprising more than 25 percent of the development.
  • Exercise equipment has been incorporated into the design of the linear parkland, providing places for residents of all ages to maintain their physical fitness. Playgrounds, grassed areas, a kick-about area and a basketball half-court have also been included to encourage physical activity.
  • Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy retained bushland, walking trails, grassed areas, nature play and exercise and playground equipment. Pedestrian traffic is encouraged further with the planned inclusion of walking trails through the western ‘Woodland Precinct’.
  • Accessibility and connectivity were key principles followed through the design of the estate and its public open spaces. Streetscapes have been designed to be pedestrian-friendly and provide links to the nearby public transport, local businesses and Shenton College.
  • Additional consideration was given to the vulnerable health users to the north of the site (including people with paraplegia and other disabilities), ensuring appropriate footpaths and road designs for residents using wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Land has also been allocated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society to provide support for people with neurological conditions.
  • The health value of the site has been considered not only in the design of the estate, but also during the construction phases, through a partnership with MATES in Construction (MiC). In collaboration with civil works contractor RJ Vincent, MiC was provided to workers at Montario Quarter, aiming to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing, and address high suicide rateS in the construction industry. While MiC had previously worked with civil construction companies, this was the first time the program was provided for a land development organisation.

Economic value
  • The development of Montario Quarter will bring an urban village to the well-established suburb of Shenton Park. A new shopping precinct surrounding Victoria House will provide up to 5,500 square metres of retail floor space, creating approximately 500 new jobs. These jobs are in addition to the 50+ jobs created through the civil works and up to 300 construction-related jobs per annum expected over the estate’s 10-year build-out.
  • In partnership with Primewest, local developer Iris Residential have secured a mixed-use development site which will focus on inter-generational living. This site will feature ground floor retail and commercial, including a supermarket, health-related service providers, specialist food and wine providers, cafes and other boutique retail offerings.
  • The redevelopment of heritage-listed Victoria House by Fini Group is also planned to include community activation and employment opportunities. The site will incorporate a mix of commercial, retail, residential and hospitality offerings.

Environmental value
  • Sustainability is a key focus across this development with a range of initiatives included to reduce waste and help future residents to live more sustainably. The developer has achieved a six-star Green Star Communities Rating after being evaluated against a set of distinct outcomes across six categories including Governance, Design, Liveability, Economic Prosperity, Environment and Innovation. These outcomes have been built into the project’s planning and implementation.
  • During the bulk earthworks and civil construction phases, more than 90 percent of materials from the site demolition were reused or recycled. Materials and structures from the former hospital have been repurposed into shared amenities such as play and exercise equipment, shelters and public art. When required to be removed, timber and other vegetation was also salvaged from the site and stored for use in seating, nature play elements and rehabilitation of the Woodland Precinct.
  • The design intent of the Woodland Precinct is the celebration of regeneration, renewal and environment. This will be achieved through the retention and rehabilitation of existing native bushland and incorporating areas for nature play into the precinct.
  • A seed collection and weed control program is currently in its third year of implementation, with the aim to increase the overall quality of the retained bushland across the site. An additional rehabilitation program is planned to further improve the quality of retained vegetation within the Woodland Precinct.
  • More than 1,100 new trees will be planted across the site. On completion, Montario Quarter will be home to almost three times as many trees as the site had prior to development.
  • Strata Vault structures were installed underground in the road reserves allowing street trees to grow larger and healthier.
  • When the parklands are complete, smart controlled lights will be installed to minimise the impact of light pollution. A solar-powered BigBelly compacting bin will also be trialled in the public parklands.
  • Throughout the estate’s built-form, ‘green’ buildings and energy-efficient homes will be encouraged through Design Guidelines and a Resident’s Guide, working within the Green Star framework.
  • More than 25 percent of Montario Quarter will be dedicated to public open space, which is significantly higher than the mandated 10 percent for new residential estates.
  • Sustainability is a key focus across this development with a range of initiatives included to reduce waste and help future residents to live more sustainably. The developer has achieved a six-star Green Star Communities Rating after being evaluated against a set of distinct outcomes across six categories including Governance, Design, Liveability, Economic Prosperity, Environment and Innovation. These outcomes have been built into the project’s planning and implementation.
  • During the bulk earthworks and civil construction phases, more than 90 percent of materials from the site demolition were reused or recycled. Materials and structures from the former hospital have been repurposed into shared amenities such as play and exercise equipment, shelters and public art. When required to be removed, timber and other vegetation was also salvaged from the site and stored for use in seating, nature play elements and rehabilitation of the Woodland Precinct.
  • The design intent of the Woodland Precinct is the celebration of regeneration, renewal and environment. This will be achieved through the retention and rehabilitation of existing native bushland and incorporating areas for nature play into the precinct.
  • A seed collection and weed control program is currently in its third year of implementation, with the aim to increase the overall quality of the retained bushland across the site. An additional rehabilitation program is planned to further improve the quality of retained vegetation within the Woodland Precinct.
  • More than 1,100 new trees will be planted across the site. On completion, Montario Quarter will be home to almost three times as many trees as the site had prior to development.
  • Strata Vault structures were installed underground in the road reserves allowing street trees to grow larger and healthier.
  • When the parklands are complete, smart controlled lights will be installed to minimise the impact of light pollution. A solar-powered BigBelly compacting bin will also be trialled in the public parklands.
  • Throughout the estate’s built-form, ‘green’ buildings and energy-efficient homes will be encouraged through Design Guidelines and a Resident’s Guide, working within the Green Star framework.
  • More than 25 percent of Montario Quarter will be dedicated to public open space, which is significantly higher than the mandated 10 percent for new residential estates.

Social value
  • The site’s history as a place of healing has been further recognised through the roads and parks within the estate, which have been named after prominent doctors and nurses from the former hospital. The estate itself – Montario Quarter – was named after Sir George Montario Bedbrook, an orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital who pioneered the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with paraplegia.
  • Continuing the health theme, public art throughout the development is planned to reflect the site’s history – respecting the heritage, as well as providing aesthetic pieces to encourage pedestrian traffic through the area.
  • The Heritage Precinct Community Lawn forms the heart of the new development. It will become a gathering place for community events, creating a space where the local community can get involved in the development of the culture and sense of place.
  • Pedestrian traffic will also be encouraged through curated installation of public art pieces. Inspired by the heritage of the site and the surrounding area, these pieces will be positioned throughout the estate – encouraging pedestrian activity, as well as passive surveillance.
  • Safety and crime prevention were key considerations through the design of Montario Quarter. Following a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) study, several adjustments were made to increase passive surveillance and deter criminal activity, in line with CPTED principles. This was particularly critical in the Woodland Precinct – to ensure the areas of retained natural bushland wouldn’t facilitate anti-social behaviour.
  • As a former hospital site with health-related businesses in its vicinity, access for residents and visitors using mobility aids was also integral to the estate design. Accessible footpaths and wheelchair-friendly play equipment have been incorporated throughout the development.
  • The Multi-Residential and Mixed-Use Design Guidelines require developers to install a community garden, with a minimum size of 25 square metres per 250 residents. It is anticipated that approximately 200 square metres of community gardens will be included within the site including a community orchard in the central public open space.
  • Sustainability education will also be incorporated within the estate landscaping through three learning trails. The themes of these trails include Environment, Rehabilitation and Heritage to convey project initiatives and the history of the precinct.
  • A Heritage Interpretation Plan and Conservation Management Plan has also been completed and will be implemented through works by both the project and multi-residential developers.

Use value
  • In keeping with the history of the site, Montario Quarter was designed as an inclusive, accessible and connected development, providing a safe and healthy environment for all visitors. This has been particularly reflected through the components of the public open spaces. From active play areas, exercise equipment and walking trails, through to passive spaces with seating, barbeques and shade, Montario Quarter will cater for a range of activities and social interactions.
  • The estate has been designed to encourage housing for diverse lifestyles and households. From single residential lots overlooking parklands, to apartment sites with ground-floor retail, Montario Quarter will help bring generations together.
  • A development by Iris Residential and Primewest continues this concept with the proposed introduction of inter-generational living, including one, two and three-bedroom apartments positioned around resident facilities, with a ground-floor supermarket, health-related service providers, cafes and boutique retail.
  • Community activation will also be incorporated into the redevelopment of the heritage-listed Victoria House, to be completed by Fini Group.
  • Throughout Montario Quarter, place activation will be a key strategy in bringing the community together. Guided by a dedicated Community Development Plan, regular events, workshops, meetings and pop-up activities will help encourage pedestrian and interactions between residents.
  • In order to encourage activation and visitation while the community is being developed, a Community Hub has been proposed for Montario Quarter. Featuring flexible spaces and pop-up activities, this space will be available for use by the whole community.
  • Montario Quarter will also feature accessible parklands, including spaces where residents can rest and reflect, or be active and exercise. Spaces for reflection include plenty of shade, trees, seating, interpretive walking trails and areas for entertaining small groups. An outdoor kitchen, barbeques, auditorium and stage area will further encourage the local community to use these spaces.
  • Active spaces will include a basketball half court, hit-up wall, playground and large grassed areas for ball sports.
  • Healthy, active uses are encouraged throughout Montario Quarter, through the inclusion of curated public art pieces throughout the development. Streetscapes and footpaths have also been designed to allow easy pedestrian access and connections to surrounding amenities.

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