Stubborn Perth family finally gives in to developers

For nearly four decades, one family refused to sell their massive block to developers even as an entire suburb was built around them. Now they’ve finally given in.

For nearly four decades, one family refused to sell their massive block to developers even as an entire Perth suburb was built around them. Now they’ve finally given in.

The tightly held six-acre block on Wattleup Road, Hammond Park in the city’s south has been listed for sale, with offers expected in the high $3 million range.

“Unlock the potential of this expansive 2.33-hectare development site, strategically located in the heart of Hammond Park,” the listing reads.

“This prime parcel of land offers unparalleled opportunities for both residential and commercial development, perfectly situated to benefit from the area’s growing demand.”

The site comes with “versatile zoning”, allowing for medium and high-density residential projects, as well as mixed-use commercial offering “a dynamic development potential”.

The same family has owned the property for nearly 40 years. Picture: Realestate.com.au

It is described as the rapidly expanding suburb’s “true missing link offering endless possibilities for astute developers and investors”.

The property was originally more than four hectares but a portion was sold off to accommodate the extension of Hammond Road.

Records show the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) paid the family $2 million for a large slice of the land in 2022.

On the site currently is a four-bedroom, two bathroom double-brick home and a semi-detached granny flat.

Ollie Salimi from Effective Property Solutions told Domain the site was expected to be highly sought after by developers.

The site is expected to be highly sought after by developers. Picture: Realestate.com.au

“At 2.34 hectares, 466 Wattleup Road is a prime urban infill or mixed-use residential, retail and commercial development project in a major growth corridor,” he said.

“We expect a lot of interest in this site as Hammond Park’s existing and nearly fully built-out residential land estates are in very high demand from young families, thanks to an array of schools and new public amenities in this now flourishing area.”

Hammond Park’s population doubled between 2011 and 2016 to just under 5000 people, according to Census data.

The predominant age group is 30-39, with households mainly made up of couples with children.

The median home value has increased 80 per cent over the past five years while units have increased 90 per cent, according to CoreLogic.

The median value for houses in Hammond Park is $829,811 while the median value for units is $604,133.

Offers are expected in the high $3 million range. Picture: Realestate.com.au

In Sydney, a similar holdout family previously made headlines after refusing to sell their two-hectare parcel of land, which sticks out like a sore thumb in a sea of encroaching development, despite an estimated $50 million price tag.

The Zammit property in The Ponds, in the city’s northwest, features a lush lawn and huge, 200-metre driveway leading up to the large brick home, which has views of the Blue Mountains.

Mother Diane Zammit told The Daily Mail in 2022 the neighbourhood used to be “farmland dotted with little red brick homes and cottages”.

“Every home was unique and there was so much space — but not any more,” she said.

“It’s just not the same.”

The Zammit property in The Ponds, western Sydney. Picture: 7News

High-density homes are built right up to the fence of the property, and neighbours reportedly don’t want the owners to sell as they like living in a cul-de-sac.

The homes are crammed in with small setbacks and street verges, tiny backyards and black roofs and driveways.

They are mostly four-bedroom, three-bathroom properties boasting about 280 square metres of internal living space on 300 square-metre blocks.

Manohar Muralidhara, 44, who shares a fence with the Zammits, told news.com.au earlier this year he had “no complaints” about the size of his property, after an image of the cramped housing development went viral online and drew criticism from building experts.

“I think it’s a bit of an over-reaction largely,” Mr Muralidhara said, standing in his six-metre by nine-metre backyard.

“I lived in a small apartment so when I moved into this obviously it was an upgrade from where I stayed, so I never felt the pinch to be honest.”

Originally published as Stubborn Perth family finally gives in to developers