Case Studies
Somerly Clarkson

Design Feature

Type of project
Masterplan
State
Western Australia
Location
Urban
Somerly is a 162-hectare residential estate, undertaken in 2001 as a joint venture between the Department of Housing (now Department of Communities) and Works and Urban Pacific Limited to diversify the housing stock of Western Australia on the urban fringe. Designed on transit orientated principles, the estate delivers some 1,800 dwellings and housing for 5,400 people.
Prioritising accessibility and liveability
The Somerly project represented a new form of development providing housing diversity on the fringe of the Perth Metropolitan Area. In 2001, the north-west urban corridor comprised 85% detached dwellings. Diversity of dwelling types was low. At the time, Clarkson Train Station was the terminus of Perth's northern railway.

The project adopted the principles of the Western Australian Planning Commission’s operational policy Liveable Neighbourhoods. The notion of being able to walk to a local centre or public transport had been introduced to the development industry, changing the way residential estates were designed.


Liveable Neighbourhoods identified that clustering development around a small town centre or retail node supported a transit mode shift from the private car to walking, cycling or public transport and provided an urban form with a diversity of housing stock.

The following design elements come together to provide a high level of amenity to support increased residential density development in the estate.
The design of Somerly demonstrates the following qualities:
  • Diversity of housing with medium-density residential development designed around the main street commercial area.
  • A focus on the Clarkson Train Station and bus interchange with local roads linking the movement networks back to the train station, supporting the use of public transport.
  • Enhancement of the existing main street/enclosed mall centre provides a diversity of services and facilities to encourage a mix of land uses, including full-line supermarkets with a range of fresh and healthy food encouraging the community to shop locally. 
  • Support for a Council library, cafe and youth centre provides opportunities to socialise and establishes a focal point and sense of place for the community. 
  • A traditional street grid improves movement options, permeability and increases accessibility.
  • A variety of lot and dwelling sizes across the estate encourages diversity in the community.
  • Public open space and landscaped areas distributed throughout the estate support passive and active recreation.

Project team
  • Department of Housing and Works (now Department of Communities)
  • Urban Pacific Limited
  • GHD Engineering
  • Gilbert Rose Engineering
  • McNally Newton Landscape Architects
  • Plan E Landscape Architects
  • Taylor Burrell Barnett
  • Whelans Survey & Mapping

Project cost
  • One-off cost for planning process, and ongoing costs to progress development.

Health value
  • The nodal development of the suburb provides the community with the opportunity to walk to a local centre and purchase their daily needs, an activity largely unavailable to homeowners in the outer suburbs.
  • The distribution of public open space encourages recreation and provides members of the community various locations in which to gather.

Economic value
  • Residents of Somerly are able to access public transport providing an affordable transport option.
  • Roads are the biggest infrastructure cost, at approximately 50% of the total cost of developing an estate. Providing increased residential dwelling densities reduces the amount of road reserves required and thereby reduces the overall costs.
  • The design of Somerly provides increased equity levels via access to public transport and employment opportunities.

Environmental value
The opportunity to undertake a modal shift from the private car to public transport is available and therefore the community has the opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint and improve physical activity levels.
Social value
  • The investment in a local centre, a focal point for the community, supports increased social interaction and reduces notions of isolation.
  • Formal areas of public open space and landscaping contribute to an improved level of amenity and enhanced sense of place.

Use value
The design of the Somerly, which provides a diversity of lot sizes, encourages a more diverse community and develops a more sustainable social environment.

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