Mundijong is on the precipice of immense change.
The Tonkin Highway Extension, the proposed WestPort development in Kwinana, acres of residential and defence housing and industrial estate development, and – hopefully sooner rather than later – the extension of the train line, will see a radical transformation of the rural township.
And with Mundijong expected to outgrow Byford eventually, alarms are being sounded now to warn against the same planning mistakes being repeated.
According to one local business owner, one of the biggest risks is that investment in infrastructure services happens in a piecemeal way, and the current town centre gets left behind.
This hollowing of the town core whilst new development pushes outwards is known as the ‘doughnut effect’ in urban planning.
“If that happened, we’d die,” Nick DiGiuseppe, whose family has owned and operated the Mundijong IGA for thirty years, said.
“You end up sacrificing the guy that was supporting the community for decades before the others all push in. It’s just not in the spirit of how we do things here.”
According to Mr DiGiuseppe, the biggest problem currently is a lack of critical infrastructure, like sewerage, and certainty.
Last year the Urban Institute Development of Australia called for an initial investment of $421 million in critical enabling infrastructure funding across three key areas in Perth (one of which was Mundijong/East Wellard) in order to boost housing potential.
According to the SJ Shire, $11.8 million is needed “immediately” to bring forward plans for the Mundijong Pump Station to service wastewater. A further $5 million is needed for substation site planning, and $18 million is also required for the extension of power feeders for development.
In December, the Labor Government announced a new $400 million Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund to unlock residential land in WA.
But so far there have been no specific promises made for Mundijong from either of the major state parties.
On Friday, however, the Nationals WA announced that if elected in March, they will deliver $250,000 for the ‘Mundijong Done Right’ project, which they say will lay the foundation for the town to become a future education hub and deliver better integrated planning for growth.
Candidate for Darling Range Morgan Byas said the funding will be used to produce a business case and detailed costings for the delivery of vital infrastructure, ensuring Mundijong grows into a thriving town centre.
“The centrepiece of the Mundijong Done Right plan is the proposal to create an agricultural TAFE, a game-changing investment that will finally bring tertiary education opportunities to the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale,” Mr Byas said.
The proposed TAFE would also offer traditional trade courses, situated just minutes from the West Mundijong Industrial Area, to support local industry and job growth, he explained.
“Mundijong is perfectly positioned to become an outer metropolitan education hub. Right now, young people in our community have no local options for further study,” Mr Byas said.
“The Nationals WA will change that.”
When The Examiner asked Mr Byas what that would mean for the long-floated idea of a TAFE in Byford he said: “we missed the boat on that one”.
He explained that having a new TAFE in Armadale eroded political appetite to build another just eight clicks up the road in Byford, and he was doubtful there was enough space left in Byford to build anything that could meaningfully cater to the area’s tertiary education needs.
“But let’s not miss that opportunity for the kids coming through Mundijong,” he said.
The business case would also make an argument for the future Mundijong train station to be integrated properly into the civic and commercial heart of the town, avoiding the planning failures seen in Byford.
“An elevated train line would have unified Byford for the first time. Instead, Byford is rent in two,” Mr Byas said. “You can’t walk from Woolies to Dome, or anywhere very easily.
“The experience of Byford has really illustrated to me that you can’t do this by chance.
“This is our opportunity to get this right from the start, ensuring that when the train station comes, it’s not dumped in the town centre like an afterthought.
“It must be seamlessly connected to our town centre, education facilities, and businesses.”
According to The Nationals’ plan, the business case would also provide a structured plan for deep sewer expansion and residential infill – supporting sustainable planning to ensure 2,600 new homes are properly serviced with infrastructure.
My Byas said this aligned with their previous commitment to establish a $1 billion headworks fund.
“This is about building a future that actually works for our community—where people can train, work, and live in a well-planned, vibrant Mundijong,” he said.
“There’s a very small sliver of time to get this right and make sure Mundijong has a positive future.”
Nick DiGiuseppe said he supports The Nationals’ plan to get things moving.
“More than anything, we need certainty over retail and commercial growth in the town centre,” he said.
“We’re desperate for commitments on funding and timeframes, and for planning to be completed ASAP. Unless these problems are rectified, investment will flow into new town centres.
“But having a plan would allow Mundijong to retain a sense of community,” he said. “I think it’s great that The Nationals are prepared to fund this process and Labor and the Liberals should match it.”
Photographs – Richard Polden
