Why Scarborough Beach Is Back in the Spotlight
Scarborough Beach is about to take its next big step. The City of Stirling is launching a commercial push to find a developer for two long-vacant sites on the foreshore, and the plans could change how the precinct looks, feels and trades for years to come.
For locals, the two mulch-covered patches have been an odd feature of an otherwise polished waterfront. For property owners, buyers and investors, they represent one of the last big pieces of the puzzle in one of Perth’s most sought-after coastal suburbs.
This post breaks down what the City has announced, what is (and isn’t) confirmed, and what it could mean for the Scarborough property market. The news was first reported by Sophie Gannon in Western Suburbs Weekly on 13 October 2026.
The Scarborough Beach Announcement at a Glance
The sites form part of what the City calls the Scarborough Beach Gateway, a combined area of about 4,700sqm. Here are the key facts in one place.
| Detail | What’s been announced |
|---|---|
| Combined site size | Approximately 4,700sqm |
| Location | Between the upper and lower promenades, next to the Scarborough Clocktower and Amphitheatre |
| Current state | Vacant and covered in mulch since the foreshore reopened in 2018 |
| Southern site | Low-rise, hospitality-led destination (one to two storeys) |
| Northern site | Public space for future sport, recreation and events |
| EOI launch | Wednesday 14 October 2026 |
| EOI closes | 18 November 2026 |
| Next step | Request for detailed proposals, expected early 2027 |
| Council control | Sites returned to the City of Stirling in 2023 |
The concept images released by the City are illustrative only. They do not represent an approved development.
A Quick Look Back at the Foreshore Redevelopment
The foreshore reopened in 2018 following a $100 million redevelopment. It transformed the precinct with upper and lower promenades, an amphitheatre and a refreshed beachfront for families, visitors and locals alike.
Despite that investment, two sites at Scarborough Beach were left as blank spaces. They have sat between the promenades ever since, covered in mulch and drawing plenty of comment from residents.
The sites returned to the City’s control in 2023. That change gave the City the opportunity to plan their future as part of the broader redevelopment, and the process now under way is the result.
Stirling mayor Mark Irwin described the two sites as the final big pieces of the puzzle when it comes to transforming and activating the foreshore. He also said he is as eager as anyone to see the woodchips gone.
The Southern Site: A Family-Friendly Hospitality Destination
The southern site will be the focus of the commercial Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The City is seeking proposals for a low-rise, hospitality-led destination designed to bring more life back to the beachfront.
Any development would be limited to one or two storeys. That is a meaningful detail for neighbours and for anyone who loves the skyline at Scarborough Beach, because it signals a low-profile project rather than a high-rise.
Filling a Gap in the Hospitality Scene
The City’s vision is deliberately targeted. Rather than adding to the established bar-focused and late-night venues, it wants a family-friendly offering that fills a gap.
In the City’s view, there is an audience that is currently underserved. Families, daytime visitors and people looking for recreation and wellness experiences are the likely focus.
Complementing, Not Competing
The City has been clear that any new venue should complement existing businesses rather than compete with them. That is a sensible message for the operators who already trade along the foreshore.
Mr Irwin said the process is about making sure the City gets the right fit for the community and local businesses. He also said he expects a lot of interest, calling it a one-of-a-kind opportunity in an incredible location.
The Northern Site: Space for Sport, Recreation and Events
The northern site has a different purpose. It is earmarked for public space, with planning progressing for future sport, recreation and events.
The City has said its vision is driven by recreation, wellness and community benefit. Community and councillor engagement has helped shape that direction.
It’s worth repeating that the northern site vision is not a development approval. The City has released concept images, but details are still to be worked through.
| Site | Intended use | Who it’s aimed at |
|---|---|---|
| Southern | Hospitality-led, low-rise (1–2 storeys) | Families, visitors, locals seeking a non-late-night option |
| Northern | Public space for sport, recreation and events | The wider community and event-goers |
How the Expression of Interest Process Works
If you haven’t followed a council tender before, the staging can seem confusing. Here is how the City has laid out the timeline.
- 14 October 2026: the commercial EOI launches for the southern site.
- 18 November 2026: the EOI closes.
- Shortlisting: proponents with the experience, capability and ideas to deliver a project aligned with the City’s vision will be shortlisted.
- Early 2027: a request for detailed proposals is expected.
An EOI is an early stage for the Scarborough Beach Gateway. It is designed to identify who is capable and interested, not to lock in a final design.
That means there is still a long road between today’s announcement and any building work. Detailed proposals, assessments and approvals will all need to happen first, and the City hasn’t announced a construction timeline.
What This Could Mean for the Scarborough Property Market
Let’s be careful here. Nothing in the announcement guarantees a price outcome, and a project of this size takes time. But the direction of travel is worth understanding if you own, rent or are thinking of buying in the area.
Where Prices Sit Today
Scarborough is already a premium coastal market, and Scarborough Beach is its drawcard. REIWA suburb data shows a median house price of around $1.5 million and a median unit price in the mid-$800,000s, although the figures move as new sales are recorded.
Cotality data (as reported by OnTheHouse) puts the 5-year increase in median values at roughly 83% for houses and 75% for units as at mid-2026. That’s a strong run, driven by the same coastal lifestyle that the foreshore plans are designed to protect.
| Measure | Houses | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REIWA median sale price (approx.) | $1.5 million | $845,000 |
| Cotality 5-year change in median value (mid-2026, approx.) | +83% | +75% |
| Median weekly rent (approx.) | $1,000 | $790 |
Figures are approximate and sourced from REIWA and Cotality via OnTheHouse. They vary by date and method, so always check current data before making a decision.
Amenity Tends to Support Demand
Buyers pay for lifestyle as well as bricks and mortar. A better-activated Scarborough Beach, with more things to do for families and more open space for recreation, is the kind of amenity that supports ongoing demand.
That doesn’t mean every property will benefit equally. Proximity, property type, condition and timing all matter. Still, a well-managed upgrade of the precinct is generally a positive signal for the area’s long-term appeal.
What Owners Should Watch
If you own in Scarborough, a few things are worth tracking as the process unfolds:
- The EOI outcome: who is shortlisted and what they propose.
- Planning and approvals: the detail on design, traffic, parking and noise.
- Community consultation: opportunities to have your say.
- Local business impact: how the City balances new venues with existing operators.
What Buyers and Investors Should Consider
For buyers and investors, the announcement is a reason to look closely at the suburb, not a reason to rush. Think about how close a property is to the foreshore, how it’s likely to be used, and how rents and values have behaved over time.
A new family-friendly venue and public recreation space could appeal to renters and owner-occupiers alike. Short-term and long-term effects can differ, so it’s worth getting local advice before you commit.
Who Is Likely to Feel the Impact Most?
Different groups will notice the plans in different ways. Here is a simple way to think about it.
Nearby homeowners: these owners are closest to the day-to-day effects. Construction activity, event days and visitor numbers may change, so the design details and any community consultation will matter most.
Apartment owners and renters: residents in the surrounding apartment buildings often value walkability to cafes, dining and recreation. A new family-friendly venue and a recreation space could add to that lifestyle.
Investors: landlords will want to watch rental demand, vacancy and how new amenity influences tenant interest over time. It’s a medium to long-term story, not an overnight one.
Local traders: existing operators have been told the City wants to complement them. They will be watching closely to see which proposals are shortlisted.
Families and visitors: this is the group the southern site is aimed at. Anyone who has wished for a relaxed, daytime-friendly place to eat or unwind on the foreshore may be the biggest winner.
What We Don’t Know Yet
It’s just as important to be clear about the unknowns. The City hasn’t named a preferred operator, confirmed a final design or announced a construction start date.
Questions that remain open include:
- What type of venue or venues will be proposed for the southern site.
- How the building will sit alongside the Clocktower, Amphitheatre and promenades.
- What the northern site will look like once planning for sport, recreation and events is complete.
- How traffic, parking and access will be handled during and after construction.
Until those answers arrive, it’s best to treat the concept images as a guide to intent rather than a promise of the final result.
Timing: Why It Pays to Be Informed Early
Council-led projects often unfold in stages. Early announcements can lift interest in an area well before anything is built, while the longer-term effects only become clear once designs and approvals are known.
That’s why it helps to track the milestones listed above. They are the points at which the project becomes more certain, and they are often when local sentiment shifts.
If you’re thinking of selling, a current appraisal tells you where your property sits today. If you’re buying, an agent who knows the streets around the foreshore can help you weigh up value, not just proximity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Scarborough Beach Gateway?
It is the City of Stirling’s name for two vacant sites between the upper and lower promenades, next to the Clocktower and Amphitheatre. Together they cover about 4,700sqm.
When does the EOI open and close?
The EOI launches on 14 October 2026 and closes on 18 November 2026. A request for detailed proposals is expected in early 2027.
How tall could the new development be?
The southern site would be limited to one or two storeys, according to the City.
Is the development approved?
No. The concept images are illustrative only and do not represent an approved development. The northern site vision is likewise not a development approval.
Will the northern site be built on?
The City has earmarked it as public space, with planning progressing for future sport, recreation and events.
Will this affect Scarborough Beach property values?
No one can promise a specific outcome. Better amenity can support demand, but values depend on many factors including property type, location and the wider market.
Final Thoughts
After years as blank spaces, the two mulch-covered sites are finally moving towards a new chapter. The southern site is aimed at a family-friendly, low-rise hospitality destination, while the northern site is set aside for public recreation and events.
Many details are still to be decided, and the EOI is only the first step. But for a precinct that has already been transformed once, the plans suggest the City is serious about finishing the job.
Thinking About Buying or Selling Near the Foreshore?
With the EOI opening tomorrow and detailed proposals expected early next year, now is a smart time to understand where your Scarborough property stands. The team at Holdsworth Real Estate, your local Scarborough Beach property specialists, can provide a current appraisal grounded in REIWA data and what’s happening on the ground.
If you’re considering selling and purchasing near Scarborough Beach, we can help you weigh up the opportunities and the unknowns. Contact Holdsworth Real Estate to talk it through.
