$107m Como apartments approved

 A proposal by the Como Baptist Church to build a three-tower apartment development on Canning Highway has been approved by WA Planning Commission, following a State Development Assessment Unit recommendation. 

The 15-storey development, featuring 224 residential dwellings, commercial spaces, a church and a medical centre, was submitted to the SDAU in April.

At an SDAU meeting today, the development's proponent Baptist Financial Services chief executive officer David Slinn was granted an extension to the build start time from 12 to 24 months.

“There are currently supply constraints in construction sector based on availability of labour and supply shortages in relation to borders being closed, and some major builders have folded,” he told the SDAU.

“It would be inappropriate for approval to lapse simply because those things that needed to be done and done well couldn’t be done in 12 months.”

The proposal, encompassing 109-111 Robert Street and 469 and 471 Canning Highway, is being funded by Baptist Financial Services Australia.

A trustee of the church Como Bridge Pty Ltd is spearheading the development, with Baptist Financial Services Australia funding it.

The Baptist Union of Western Australia purchased the 2,267 square metre vacant corner block on Canning Highway for $2.86 million last March.

The development will span across that site and the adjacent rectangular block, believed to be 3,701 square metres, containing the 90-year-old South Como Hall chapel.

The original church building will be retained and part will be demolished to make way for the development. 

The development comprises a 10-storey, a 12-storey and a 15-storey tower containing 224 residential dwellings, commercial spaces, a church, and a medical centre.

SDAU planning director Margaret Smith noted that the 15 storey tower exceed height bonuses by 1.8 metres, but allowed it on the basis of community benefit and exemplary design.

A total of 28 public submissions were received during the consultation period for the application, including 15 in support and nine against. 

Concerns raised included potential traffic, parking and amenity impacts, which were addressed through conditions about privacy setbacks and management plans for parking, noise, waste and operational management. 

Melbourne-based architectural firm DEM Architects to designed the development, which aims to provide much-need infrastructure and services in the fast-growing area.

The state government established the SDAU in a bid to expedite projects likely to stimulate the economy in the wake of COVID-19.

Since its inception in July 2020, all 16 development applications assessed by the unit have been approved. 

The SDAU is due to close in January 2022.