Watermark changing face of Perth front yard to combat loneliness

Yolk Property Group is challenging our idea of what a Perth front yard looks like by taking play, nature and neighbourly catch-ups out into the street at its new Watermark development in Champion Lakes.

With loneliness recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the next public health priority and 32% of Western Australians experiencing loneliness*, the design of Watermark makes connection and camaraderie a priority.

Chess tables, hopscotch, four-square and little libraries will encourage activity and social interaction, while pocket parks, shade trees and dense planting will become a seamless extension of verges and front gardens on the estate’s designated ‘pedestrian green street’.

A community commercial precinct with a micro-brewery, café, adventure playground, gym and office premises are also on the cards in the next few years as Watermark develops into a socially-connected lakeside community.

Yolk Property Group was selected to transform the 10-hectare waterside site after the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority asked for expressions of interest from developers.

Social inclusion, enhanced environmental integrity and a sense of place were among the key objectives for the area.

Tao Bourton, Co-founder and Executive Director of Yolk Property Group, said the design for Watermark reflected the important role developers had to play in how our future communities connected and interacted.

“The design for Watermark demonstrates how we can break away from the typical structure of a residential street to reduce the risks of loneliness and social isolation,” Mr Bourton said.

“As a developer we’re showing it’s important to give people reasons to get out of their house and connect with neighbours in the streets and parks.

“Having social spaces on the doorstep can help combat loneliness and that feeling of dis-connect that people can feel if they simply drive home and close the garage door behind them at the end of each day.”

Yolk Property Group has also addressed enhanced environmental benefits in the design of its pedestrian green street at Watermark.

By aiming for about a tenth less road surface and around a third more trees and vegetation than is typical in residential streets, Watermark’s pedestrian green street is set to reduce the estate’s heat mass.

The pedestrian green street design at Watermark is the latest illustration of Yolk Property Group’s hugely successful approach to liveable street design.

The developer’s Allure estate in Ferndale made headlines in 2022 as WA’s first liveable street design. Demand for lots was so high that the estate sold out in just one release instead of staged land releases as initially intended.

“It’s clear from both Allure and sales to date at Watermark that Western Australians recognise the benefits of liveable estates designed with community connection and activity in mind,” Mr Bourton said.

“While Watermark is a new development, we’re confident the concept can be retrofitted into existing streets across Australia to build stronger, more connected communities.”

Identified as one of WA’s fastest growing regional centres, the City of Armadale is undergoing one of the State Government’s largest and most ambitious urban renewal projects and now includes a new shopping centre, the Champion Lakes’ world-class water sports venue, a 320ha business park and improved transport links. Sustainability is a strong focus.

Work on the new pedestrian green street at Watermark has begun, along with civil works for 101 lots in Stage 2 and 3.

More information at www.watermarkchampionlakes.com.au.

* State of the nation report: social connection in Australia 2023 by Ending Loneliness Together.