Arcus development nears

AFTER months of negotiations with the East Perth Redevelopment Authority, Australand will finally enter the construction phase on its controversial $9.5 million development opposite the Post Office Nightclub in May.

Settlement on the 4,520 square metre Arcus site will be completed on March 4.

Australand’s proposed development of 66 residential dwellings with ground floor commercial space for the site had been dogged by concerns about bringing homes into the noisy entertainment precinct.

EPRA chief executive Tony Morgan said resolving noise attenuation and structural issues had caused the delay in settlement.

He said Australand had been required to provide an acoustic report, something the authority had not insisted upon in the past.

“An acoustic report will become a mandatory requirement for future developments in the Village Northbridge precinct,” Mr Morgan said.

Double glazing, improved standards of insulation and positioning bedrooms away from the noise sources were required to address EPRA’s noise attenuation concerns.

“The development will be a reasonable environment to live and sleep in,” Mr Morgan said.

Australand general manager Chris Lewis said the plan had changed a lot through the company’s dealings with EPRA.

He said addressing noise attenuation issues had added to the cost of the development, however, he believed the development’s high standard of amenity would enable costs to be recouped later.

To solve the load limitations of the site Australand contracted Queensland engineering company Strongforce Design.

Mr Lewis said the development had evolved from being traditional in architectural approach into a contemporary design influenced by the existing urban landscape in the area.

“Industrial, heritage, render, exposed brick – we have brought all these overall elements in the urban environment together,” he said.

The development will be completed in May 2004 and is expected to attract the young professional market.