New Junction is the redevelopment of Midland Oval and surrounding land, located adjacent to the original town centre and recently redeveloped Midland Gate Shopping Centre.

Opening in 1901, Midland Oval was the original sporting precinct of the town, and over the years it was home to various recreational activities – from lawn bowls to trotting, cricket, tennis, football, soccer and lacrosse.

The 11 hectare New Junction precinct is on track to become an iconic, vibrant and diverse destination in Midland. It represents $680 million of new construction work, a $990 million boost to the local economy and a $2.2 billion boost to the WA economy.

The vision is to develop an iconic destination for Midland with high quality public realm, active community spaces, streetscapes and new uses including civic, retail, commercial and residential.

Signalling a new urban dimension for Perth’s eastern gateway, it will be the new heart of Midland and a place to make a home, kick a ball, do business, rest a while and visit with family and friends.

Plans for the redevelopment date back to 1968. In this time, before any significant work for the precinct itself took place, Council focused on the provision of facilities and services.

Planning commenced in the 1970s and by the 1980s new facilities to replace what was historically played on and around the oval were commenced, to Lilac Hill, North Swan Park, Swan Park, Ron Jose Oval, Midland Velodrome and other key sites.

In excess of $100m has been spent on these facilities to ensure adequate services/facilities have been retained for the community.

The project is aligned with wider strategic direction set out by the State Government and the City of Swan’s Strategic Planning Framework, and the strategic actions and development made by the City over the many years of planning and relocating sports to purpose built facilities.

The City has been involved in a range of studies and exercises which relate to the revitalisation of the Midland CBD, including the Midland Oval precinct (New Junction).

Key studies include Midland’s Revitalisation Charrette and the 2007 Enquiry by Design process entitled Midland 2017 – The Challenge. Over time, through such activities as those identified, the oval precinct had become increasingly recognised as a catalyst for the reinvigoration of the entire Midland CBD.

The numerous proposals received in the past 50 years have either not been supported or not had the impetus to become successful. The City identified that while the precinct had such a fragmented ownership it would become too onerous to gain the consensus of all participants for any development.

The City of Swan recognised the social and economic benefits for the wider area of Midland and chose to actively seek to acquire land within the precinct.