For much of the 20th century, the south side of Canning Highway between East Street and Glyde Street was lined with modest suburban homes. These houses were typical of their era. Small, practical dwellings built close to a major arterial road that steadily became busier over time. As traffic increased and planning priorities shifted, this stretch of Canning Highway gradually became less suitable for traditional housing.

 

Over several decades, State planning and transport authorities began acquiring properties along this section of the highway. The intention was not just for road management but for long term strategic planning, like consolidating land close to public transport, services and employment for future redevelopment. By the late 2010s, most houses between no.7 and no.27 had already been demolished, leaving only a few still standing.

 

A major planning change came with an amendment to the Town of East Fremantle’s Local Planning Scheme. This saw the entire group of properties along this section of Canning Highway rezoned for higher density residential use, which would see apartment-style developments rather than individual houses. Instead of being treated as separate suburb blocks, the land was planned as a single redevelopment site.

 

By early 2023, the remaining houses on this strip, including those at nos.15 and 19, were owned by the Metropolitan Region Planning Authority. Demolition permits were lodged in February 2023, clearing the last homes to allow for redevelopment. Once the buildings were removed, the land was left vacant while the next stage of planning took place.

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Site Contamination 

Following demolition, detailed environmental investigations identified contamination issues common to many older residential sites. These included buried building rubble, asbestos from old structures and fences and soil contamination. As a result, the land was officially classified as contaminated and could not be redeveloped until remediation was completed.

 

A formal remediation project was then proposed, covering all of the former housing lots along this part of Canning Highway. The plan involves excavating contaminated soil, removing for off-site disposal and replacing it with clean fill, so the land can meet the standards for residential use. This remediation process is required before any construction can begin.

 

Clearing and remediation of the land forms part of the State Government’s housing strategy, known as the Housing Diversity Pipeline. The goal is to use government-owned land to help deliver a mix of housing types, including a significant proportion of social housing. In East Fremantle, this strategy has been formalised through plans for a new social housing development at the corner of East Street and Canning Highway.

 

Under the current proposal, the former house lots, which include nos.15 and 19, will be redeveloped as part of a medium-density housing project managed by DevelopmentWA and a community housing provider. While the final building designs and delivery timeframes remain subject to approval, the long-term outcome is a shift from scattered, outdated highway housing to a purpose-built residential development better suited to the location.

 

At present, the vacant blocks reflect this transition phase: demolished, fenced and still awaiting soil remediation.

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July 2025 Update

The State Government confirmed plans to redevelop the corner of East Street and Canning Highway in East Fremantle as a new social housing precinct. The project will deliver 34 social housing dwellings across a three-storey residential building, made up of 19 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom homes.

 

The site forms part of the State Government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline, a program aimed at repurposing underused government-owned land for residential development in well-located metropolitan areas. The East Fremantle site was selected due to its proximity to public transport, services and employment.

 

Foundation Housing Limited has been appointed as the preferred community housing provider to deliver and operate the project, with DevelopmentWA providing oversight and assistance. Funding support has been secured through the second round of the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund, which is backing new social and affordable housing projects across the country.

 

Construction of the East Street development is expected to begin in 2026. Once complete, the project will contribute to an increase in social housing supply in East Fremantle and forms part of a broader State and Federal effort to expand affordable and secure housing options across Western Australia.​