During the initial development, only single or double-storey homes could be built, with specific areas designated for taller and larger buildings (such as the shopping centre and apartments).

Encumbrances also placed restrictions on the positioning and appearance of external fixtures (such as clotheslines, outbuildings, and TV aerials) as well as a total ban on front boundary fencing.

[10]: 53 In 2000, the City of Charles Sturt undertook soil testing in the area of West Lakes surrounding the former Port Adelaide Wastewater Treatment Plant adjacent Frederick Road.

In the following years, the state government recommended various measures to reduce and prevent exposure to cadmium, with funding allocated to implement these on a property-specific basis.

[14] In 2020, the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was notified of the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater, soils and sewage sludge in the same vicinity.

Testing also confirmed that fish caught from the lake remain fit for human consumption, with PFAS levels low enough to not pose a threat.

Due to the lake's intended recreational function, which included swimming and diving, larger marine life — such as the stingray — were captured by professional divers and removed.

[17][10]: 59 The island consists primarily of quieter cul-de-sacs within distinct "neighbourhoods", where real estate is generally valued higher than in most other areas of West Lakes.

The thoroughfare was initially planned to cut north-east through the established adjoining suburb Albert Park, however, protests from residents and the local parish resulted in an altered route that utilised (and renamed) part of Clark Terrace parallel to the Grange railway line.

[10]: 142 In 2015, property developer Commercial & General commenced work on a masterplanned, mixed-use subdivision on the former Football Park precinct named "WEST".

[19] The area bounded by Frederick Road, West Lakes Boulevard, Brebner Drive and Football Park/AAMI Stadium — formerly home to the Crows Shed, a large grass oval, and a grandstand — forms the development site.

Housing typology largely consists of townhouses and apartments, deviating from the detached, single-family character of the original West Lakes development.

The subdivision also features a City of Charles Sturt library, retail and hospitality precinct, a childcare centre, and an aged care facility.

The area bounded by Frederick Road, the northern boundary of Lochside Drive, the tidal lake, and existing homes on Mariners Crescent, forms the development site.

[21] The former wastewater treatment site was of particular interest for housing due to its relative proximity to the Osborne Naval Shipyard, where submarines for the AUKUS are slated to be built for the Royal Australian Navy.

The oval itself was left intact, and currently serves as the home training ground for the Adelaide Football Club (similar to Waverley Park in Melbourne).

[23] A Douglas C-47 Skytrain military transport aircraft was owned by the McDonald's adjacent Westfield West Lakes, used as part of a play area for children's parties.

Westfield West Lakes features a bus interchange, whilst the remainder of the suburb is serviced by various cross-suburban, intra-suburban, and citybound routes.