Thousands of new dwellings will be created in established parts of the Perth metropolitan area as part of the WA Government's efforts to boost density and slow the city's urban sprawl.

Premier Mark McGowan confirmed plans to push ahead with "precinct" projects in Joondalup, Bentley, Beaconsfield and Cannington, which together are expected to create 5,000 homes over the next 15 years.

The Government is now seeking a private sector partner for those developments, with the Bentley project — around the soon-to-be-demolished Brownlie Towers site — and Joondalup, near the existing train station, set to be the first to proceed.

The infill precinct in Bentley is expected to include at least 1,500 dwellings. ( Supplied: WA Government )

Elsewhere, the Government is also planning to generate high-density development around Bayswater, Redcliffe and Forrestfield train stations, and wants to push further infill in Midland and Perth's central business district.

Mr McGowan said the Joondalup, Bentley, Beaconsfield and Cannington projects represented WA's biggest urban infill developments.

Premier McGowan and his Labor colleagues announced "precinct" projects in four suburbs.

"This is about arresting the urban sprawl, [making] better use of existing land and connecting into our Metronet lines," Mr McGowan said.

"It works on every level."

The 21-hectare Bentley site is expected to include at least 1,500 dwellings, with a further 1,600 incorporated into the 10-hectare Joondalup development.

The divisive infill debate

Efforts to boost density in the Perth metropolitan area have long been divisive, with many residents complaining that increasing the number of people living in an existing area puts pressure on infrastructure and changes lifestyles.

A handful of infill proposals, such as in the Nedlands local government area, have drawn heavy criticism from some residents and councils.

But Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the precinct developments would "take pressure off the debate" elsewhere, because what was currently Government land would be used for the projects.

"They really take the pressure off many councils, in what they have to do across the suburbs with the infill targets that were set a number of years ago," she said.

"The more density and better quality density we have close to train stations … the better it is for the overall community."

Housing Minister Peter Tinley said the precinct developments would use Government land and resources to attract developers.

"There will be a range of accommodation, from high-end private sales to social housing," he said.