Frequently Asked Questions

At the heart of the Murdoch Health & Knowledge Precinct is a protected native bushland approximately 1 hectare in size, which will be complemented by future landscaped public spaces.

Throughout the precinct, active and useable public open spaces will be created for people to gather and enjoy activities, events and for recreational purpose.

Members of the community will continue to have access to parking bays at the bus and train interchange during and after construction of Stage 1. The longer-term plans for parking will be determined at a later stage.

Like other major Activity Centres, some congestion will occur during peak periods. However, the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct is well-connected to public transport alternatives, and this is expected to reduce car dependence and ease some traffic congestion in the area.

Built form developers will be required to prepare detailed traffic management plans to ensure all construction activities minimise disruption to the adjacent transport network. 

These management plans will cover access for cars, pedestrians and cyclists to the hospitals, train station and other destinations adjacent to the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct. The management plans will be reviewed and approved by the City of Melville. 

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has implemented a parking policy which governs the Murdoch Activity Centre. 

In addition, extensive traffic studies have been undertaken by Main Roads, Department of Planning, DevelopmentWA and other agencies to model the road network for the overall Murdoch Activity Centre. 

Located 12 kilometres south of the Perth CBD, the 9.6 hectare Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct is a strategically located mixed-use precinct within walking distance of Fiona Stanley Hospital, St John of God Hospital, Murdoch University, South Metropolitan TAFE and the Murdoch train and bus interchange.  

Construction of Murdoch Square (Stage 1A) is now complete. As part of Stage 1B, the construction of a social and affordable housing tower on Lot 121 by Foundation Housing and Hesperia will commence in April 2025.

The 9.6 hectare mixed-use Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct will drive further development in the wider Murdoch Specialised Activity Centre. 

The precinct will also provide opportunities for the private sectore to invest in the Murdoch area, bringing complementary health, eductaion and related services to those already provided by nearby institutions. 

The construction of Stage 1 is expected to contribute $518 million to the local economy, ultimately leading to the creation of 1607 jobs. Once the construction of Stage 1 has been completed and becomes operational, a total of 6064 direct and indirect full-time jobs are expected to be created (Pracsys, 2021. Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct Economic Analysis). 

The Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct will provide diverse living, employment and retail opportunities for local residents and visitors including commercial office space, cafes, boutique retailers, residential apartments, ancillary health services, student accommodation and short-stay accommodation. 

First proposed during the planning for the Fiona Stanley Hospital, the development of this precinct is supported by key Government and private Stakeholders in the Murdoch area including the City of Melville. 

The land infrastructure and public spaces will be developed on behalf of State Government by DevelopmentWA with future private sector developers to build diverse, higher density, mixed use buildings on the created lots in accordance with a Mixed Use Precinct Activity Centre Structure Plan and Design Guidelines. 

As per the State Planning Policy, Activity Centres are a significant focus for economic development and future growth. They are thriving community hubs that provide a diverse range of homes, jobs close to where people live, retail and commercial opportunities and other activities easily accessible by walking, cycling and public transport. 

The Murdoch Specialised Activity Centre is projected to become the largest employment hub outside of Perth CBD, supporting more than 35,000 jobs, over 22,000 residents and an estimated 44,000 students and Hesperia are proud to be collaborating with the State Government.

Murdoch Square forms part of the first stage of the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct, a State Government ‘strategic priority active area,’ located directly adjacent to two of WA’s largest tertiary hospitals, and just 12 kilometres from the Perth CBD along the Kwinana Freeway. When complete, it will be home to a significant onsite population consisting of residents, office workers, medical specialists, patients and visitors and provide a place for the neighbourhood to live, work and play.

For more information, visit: Murdoch Square | Medical, Commercial and Retail Space For Lease

The precinct will help reduce car dependence by providing excellent access to the nearby Murdoch bus and train interchange, along with safe pedestrian links and bicycle pathways throughout the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct. Excellent bus connections will flow through Barry Marshall Parade, which is planned to enable rapid bus transit or light rail systems in the future.

Release of Stage 2 is subject to the relocation of the existing park and ride facility for Murdoch Station. To stay updated on future sales releases, please register your details on our website or click on the “stay informed” tab above.