A year on, apartment block set for a start

Tuesday, 7 May, 2002 - 22:00
WORK could begin anew on 4 Bellevue Terrace next month after the site has stood idle for more than a year.

The six-storey, nine-apartment development has been plagued by controversies, including its builder going into administration last year, ever since its plans first appeared before the City of Perth in 1999.

Initially the development was expected to cost $4 million. That cost is now expected to be much higher due to the lengthy delays caused by its builder, HIH Construction, going broke and a court battle with council.

The owners of the nine apartments have since dismissed original project manager Central Project Management and original architect Montague Grant Architects.

Clifton Coney Stevens has been hired as project manager and put out building tenders last Friday.

CCS’s Cameron Stone said he hoped to appoint a builder by mid to late June and expected construction to be completed before Christmas.

However, the developers will need to return to council to get another building licence before work can recommence.

Council initially refused the development in 1999 due to concerns about open space, car parking, height and setbacks – particularly from the Kings Park escarpment.

Residents from 6 Bellevue Terrace also had concerns about the development because they believed it would obscure at least some of their views of the Swan River.

The developer then appealed to then Planning Minister Graham Kierath, who approved the development providing it was in line with 6 Bellevue Terrace.

However, when construction began it was discovered the building would be 1.2 metres proud of its neighbour.

Council slapped a Section 10 notice on the development, requiring the building be brought into line with the planning approval granted by Mr Kierath or face the prospect of dmolition.

A subsequent legal battle was settled out of court.

As part of the settlement, 1.5 metres will have to be cut from all of the development’s balconies.

However, the cut will not remove the balconies entirely. Instead it will be what is called an arc cut, taking 1.5 metres from the northern side, diminishing to removing nothing from the southern side.