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Australian Fine China

The Australian Fine China (AFC) site is one of the key remaining pieces of the Subi Centro redevelopment.

The 4.4 hectare site is bordered by Hay Street to the south, parkland to the north, City of Subiaco land to the west and Darbon Crescent to the east. The development offers a mixture of commercial, residential and recreational opportunities and responds to demographic research and market demand for inner-urban dwellings and office space close to the city, with public transport and a range of activities nearby.

The goal of the redevelopment is to create a vibrant community with a substantial residential precinct connecting the parkland and housing areas that surround it, through to the more commercial focus on Hay Street.

The plan provides for more than 3,700sqm of attractive, urban and green open space that will foster community meetings and other community-based activities.

Key Features

History, Heritage and Interpretation

  • The Australian Fine China (AFC) site was used for the manufacture of china and porcelain for 85 years from 1921 to 2006.
  • The closure of the historic AFC factory in 2006 represented a unique opportunity to connect, complement and enhance the community fabric already established by the Subi Centro project.
  • The AFC site reflects a significant part of Subiaco’s history and heritage, particularly in regard to the social and cultural values. In recognition of this, the site has been placed on the State’s Register of Heritage Places and the interpretation of heritage values is an important part of the project.
  • The AFC project is complemented by an outstanding Heritage Conservation and Interpretation Plan which will ensure the new development retains valuable links to the past.
  • A number of heritage structures and items have been retained for interpretation on site and integration into the development, including the Calyx Wall, Tunnel Kiln and other machinery that will be incorporated into future buildings.
  • Displays of AFC products and a heritage trail tracing the china production line will also demonstrate the way this important Western Australian industry worked.

Land use and building types

  • The vision for the AFC site is a bustling, vibrant community with a substantial residential precinct connecting the parkland and housing areas that surround it through to the more commercial focus on Hay Street.
  • The AFC redevelopment could provide up to 37,500m2 of commercial space for a variety of businesses.
  • Approximately 300 new residential dwellings will be built, including one, two and three-bedroom apartment living and single lot residential town houses.  The mix of sizes and designs are expected to be able to adapt for changing community needs over time.
  • 10 to 15% of housing within the redevelopment will be dedicated to social or affordable housing.

Access

  • A central spine running north-south through the project will provide the main pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle access through the site while visually and physically linking it with its surrounds.
  • The street layout encourages pedestrian access and movement through the site and to the Subiaco Common.

Environmental Sustainability

  • The AFC project is targeted to achieve approximately 55% reduction in scheme water use, through a combination of demand management initiatives (such as 5-star rated fittings) and reuse and recycling of greywater and rainwater.
  • An overall reduction in greenhouse emissions of around 55% will be achieved through lower energy consumption, the use of renewable resources, waste reduction and reuse and recycling initiatives.
  • The 50% reduction in conventional (non-renewable) energy use is targeted to be achieved through the installation of a lot-based geothermal energy system, together with energy efficient design and the use of 5-star rated lighting and appliances.
  • In addition, the AFC plan has been designed to encourage the future community to walk, cycle or catch the train or bus, reducing dependency on vehicles and further lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Major innovations for this project are:
    - The centralised approach to rainwater storage and reuse for offsetting potable water demand in all buildings.
    - The use of geothermal energy for offsetting heating/cooling energy demand in a residential/commercial development. - This will be the first of its kind in WA, and one of the first in Australia.

For more information on the project, including the Design Guidelines and Precint Plan view our other publications.

 

Publications

Map image © Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2011. This material is released under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence.