Sundrift Estate, Exmouth

Sundrift Estate will unlock much-needed housing and local opportunities in the Gascoyne region

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Following the gazettal of Scheme Amendment 13 and subdivision approval, the Sundrift Estate is set to bring much-needed housing, new parks and employment opportunities to complement the existing Exmouth Marina.

Positioned on a 17-hectare site at the southern extent of the marina, the masterplanned estate will deliver 167 residential lots and several non-residential and composite sites, improving housing diversity and liveability in the Gascoyne region.

The Goal

Exmouth faces seasonal and ongoing pressure on housing availability, particularly for local workers. The Fowler Group and Celsius Land set out to deliver a high-quality residential community that responds to this challenge while reflecting the town’s coastal identity and achieving sustainable development aspirations.

The project vision is to transform the final stage of the Exmouth Marina into a connected, resilient and inclusive neighbourhood, that supports the town’s long-term growth and offers a genuine sense of place for residents, businesses and visitors.

Our Role

TBB Planning was lead planner and urban designer for the project. Working closely with Celsius Land, Fowler Group, and in collaboration with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the Shire of Exmouth, TBB:

• Formulated the Development Concept that supported the client’s successful land purchase.
• Submitted Scheme Amendment 13 which rezoned the land to ‘Urban Development’.
• Secured Subdivision Approval for the full estate, navigating detailed agency and Council considerations.
• Prepared a Local Development Plan to establish clear, locationally contextual and pragmatic design parameters for the waterway lots, dry-lots and non-residential sites.

Project Challenges

Delivering a major regional housing project in Exmouth required close collaboration and careful alignment of planning priorities. Key challenges included:

• Reframing statutory requirements – utilising the scheme amendment to help standardise the planning scheme requirements for the site.
• Responding to climate and coastal conditions – in collaboration with the project team, ensuring the design suitably addressed on-site and off-site impacts in relation to stormwater management and bushfire risks.
• Balancing diversity and deliverability – achieving an appropriate mix of housing typologies to provide greater choice and affordability.
• Maintaining momentum – coordinating approvals with agencies to accelerate regional housing supply.

The Outcome

Scheme Amendment 13 and subdivision approval were determined well within statutory timeframes. The streamlined and synchronised planning approach enabled the landowner to progress with civil works during 2025-2026.

The subdivision will be achieved in a staged manner as the ‘Sundrift Estate’.

The project demonstrates how collaborative, evidence-led planning can unlock opportunity, simplify delivery and create lasting benefit for regional communities.