Capricorn Village, developed in response to Perth's rapid population growth, integrates water-sensitive urban design principles, promoting sustainability and earning awards for its environmental initiatives.
Scale: Commercial and Industrial lot, Precinct, Residential Lot
Development Type: Commercial development, Public open space, Residential development
Local Government: City of Wanneroo
WSUD Solution: Biofilter and raingardens, Living streams, Retain native vegetation and natural landform, Swales/Buffer strips, Waterwise landscaping
Capricorn Village, initiated by Yanchep Sun City Pty Ltd and Capricorn Investment Group Pty Ltd in 2005 within the City of Wanneroo, responds to Perth’s rapid population growth. Western Australia is also the fastest growing state or territory in the nation, amplifying the demand for land and housing and highlighting challenges in securing water supply and managing stormwater systems.
Covering around 220 hectares and set to deliver approximately 2,200 lots, Capricorn integrates water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) principles into its development strategy, capitalizing on predominantly sandy soils with groundwater depths exceeding 5 meters and moderate site grades.
Notable features include vegetated swales for stormwater treatment and infiltration, living streams enhancing habitat diversity while conveying stormwater from larger events, and raingardens within residential lots and the road network. Incentives promote waterwise landscaping, with native vegetation retention in road verges and public open spaces.
Recognized for its sustainability initiatives, Capricorn received the GreenSmart Community Award from the Housing Industry Association of WA in 2010 and attained EnviroDeveloper Certification. Recently, it earned the Sustainable Urban Development award from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), underscoring its commitment to environmental responsibility and setting a precedent for future urban developments.
Our focus areas
Supporting community wellbeing and healthy environments within resilient and sustainable places throughout Western Australia.
