EXCLUSIVE: The Fate of Rockingham’s 'Zombie' Buildings Revealed
After months of decay, destruction, and antisocial behaviour, we finally have an answer on the future of Patterson Road.
By Wade McColl (23/01/2026)
Wade McColl, Baldivis Times Founder and Director stands in front of one of the “Zombie Buildings” on Patterson Road. Photo by Myah Loo, Baldivis Times 2026.
If you have driven down Patterson Road in the last few months, you know the sight. On one side, you have the pristine, multi-million dollar foreshore upgrades. On the other, you have the “Zombie Buildings” - shells of former businesses that have been left to rot.
They are more than just an eyesore. They are a magnet for trouble.
For a city trying to rebrand itself as a premier tourist destination, these derelict sites are an anchor dragging us back. Locals have asked for months why nothing is being done. Why are they still standing? Who owns them? And when will they go?
On Wednesday (21/01/2025), I decided to stop wondering and start asking. I reached out to our local representatives to demand answers.
Broken glass and rubbish covers the ground in the carpark. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
The Response
To her credit, Magenta Marshall MLA, Member for Rockingham, was the first to respond. Her reply was blunt and validated what we have all been thinking.
She described the buildings as a “complete blight on our local community” that are actively “attracting antisocial behaviour and detracting from our beautiful foreshore.”
It is rare to hear a politician speak that plainly about a local failure. But more importantly, she confirmed that the stalemate is finally breaking.
The front of one of the “Zombie Buildings” on Patterson Road. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
The Plans: What is Coming?
According to the information supplied to the Baldivis Times, the City of Rockingham is currently processing active plans for two of the most notorious sites on the strip.
Here is the breakdown:
1. The Old Salvation Army Site A Development Application has been officially lodged to transform this site into a Medical Surgery. If approved, this would see the complete refurbishment or redevelopment of the site, removing one of the key targets for vandalism on the strip.
2. The Vacant Block (Next to Clipper Inn) This site has already been approved for a Childcare Centre. This is a significant shift in usage for the area, suggesting a move towards essential services rather than just hospitality or retail.
An wine bladder sits empty in the carpark of the “Zombie Buildings”. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
Why Did It Take So Long?
This is the question that frustrates everyone. Why have we had to look at smashed windows and graffiti for so long?
The reality, as Ms. Marshall explained, is a complex web of private property rights. The City cannot simply bulldoze a building because it is ugly. Taking action on abandoned properties involves a “lengthy legal process through the courts” to prove that the site is dangerous or legally unfit.
Private investors have sat on these land banks, waiting for the right market conditions, while the community paid the price in visual amenity.
The Verdict: Why This Is a Major Win
Let’s be clear: there is no better way to “activate” a community than by providing the services people actually need.
For too long, these sites have been land-banked by private owners while the community dealt with the fallout. By bringing in a medical centre and a childcare centre, we are replacing “anti-social behaviour” with “essential community care.”
This is functional, smart growth. It means more people on the street during the day, more local jobs, and a safer environment for everyone. These projects prove that Rockingham is no longer content with being an “eyesore” destination. We are building a city that works for the people who live here.
The “zombie era” of Patterson Road is coming to a close. We will stay on top of these developments to make sure the momentum doesn’t stop until the doors are open and the lights are on.