Western Australia is one step closer to hosting the largest surf park in the Southern Hemisphere, with Aventuur today receiving development approval for the Perth Surf Park. The approval granted by the Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) will see the Cockburn Gateway precinct transformed into a major tourism, sporting and entertainment hub.

The project’s development approval follows a recent decision by the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) that the Perth Surf Park will not have a significant impact on the environment and therefore did not require assessment by the EPA. Subject to further regulatory approvals being received, construction is expected to commence in late 2023, with the Perth Surf Park opening to the public in late 2025.

Located on Prinsep Road, Jandakot (adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway and the Cockburn Central Train Station), the $100m development will create a world-class, sustainable surf park in Perth welcoming over 1 million visitors each year.

The heart of the park will be a 56-module Wavegarden ‘Cove’ surfing lagoon, offering waves for all abilities in a safe, controlled environment. The innovative precinct will also feature a beach club, bars and restaurants, high-performance surfing academy, surf hire store, wellness and recovery centre, fitness studio, co-working lounge, functions spaces and community amenities including a skate park, pump track and naturescaped gardens. The surf park is also expected to host regular events, including surfing competitions, cultural and music festivals, and charity fundraisers.

The Perth Surf Park is expected to create over 260 jobs during construction, and contribute more than $250m to the WA economy during its operating life.

Aventuur Chairman and Chief Development Officer Andrew Ross said he was delighted to reach this important milestone and is looking forward to commencing construction later in 2023.

“This is an incredibly exciting day for Western Australians, and for the Aventuur team. We’ve been working closely with the WA Government and the City of Cockburn to design an authentic, inclusive and sustainable surf park, and I couldn’t be more stoked that we’re one step closer to delivering a new community asset for Perth,” said Andrew.

The park’s buildings will be 5-Star Green Star rated, making Perth the first surf park in the world to achieve the classification. The Perth Surf Park’s design incorporates a range of other market-leading sustainability initiatives, to ensure the project delivers net positive environmental outcomes.

“We plan on utilizing ‘zero embedded carbon’ concrete during construction, sourcing 100% of the park’s power requirements from renewable sources, generating and storing our own solar power, harvesting rainwater from the building roofs, composting organic waste on-site, eliminating single-use plastics, and procuring local materials and products wherever possible,” said Andrew.

“As a team of passionate surfers, we believe it’s our responsibility to have a positive impact on the planet, in Jandakot where our park is located, and in our local Cockburn and Perth communities. We’ve received so much support from local surfers, families and residents on our journey to deliver this project, and we’re committed to creating the best surf park in the world that is by the West, for the West”.

Accessible by over 1 million Perth residents in under 30 minutes, the site is strategically located adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway, the Cockburn Central Train Station and the Cockburn Gateway shopping centre.