Changes to $25m Shenton Park apartments approved

Amendments for a six-storey $25 million Shenton Park apartment block have been approved as the development's costs risen nearly 40 per cent from the initial estimate.

The Metro Inner-North Joint Development Assessment Panel members unanimously approved amendments to Momentum Wealth’s six-storey apartment block at the corner of Evans Street and Railway Road at its meeting today.

The development application was initially approved by the JDAP in 2018, comprising of 62 apartments across two buildings, a cafe or restaurant, and a 96-bay carpark on the lower ground level.

The original application was initially a $18 million proposal but the revised costs, including value of the amendments, rose to $25 million.

Momentum Wealth managing director Damian Collins previously told Business News that costs for supplies had increased by 25 to 30 per cent.

“Construction prices are up a good 25 per cent since we looked at building the development,” he said.

The amended application, lodged by element with designs by DKO Architecture, proposes an additional 10 residential car parking bays with car stackers, relocation of some visitor bays, reduction of the balcony area of a fourth floor northern apartment and internal layout changes.

The technology of car stackers was questioned by City of Subiaco councillors on the panel, but the applicant assured the structure would be enclosed within the building, with setbacks and complies with Australian standards.

"There will be a maintenace program for the car stackers in the development," DKO Architecture associate Lionel Mawhinney said during the meeting.

"Car stackers are used regularly in developments across Australia and the world."

The city's planning officers are also requesting the applicant to demonstrate incorporating water-efficient irrigation systems and water harvesting, or re-use technologies, to the satisfaction of the city.

Panel specialist member John Syme said the amendments were relatively minor.

“My reading from the discussion is the city requiring the applicant to come back with some response to at least make some approach in terms of water recycling and water reuse,” he said.

“I would expect the city not to be unreasonable in respect to this.”

Other amendments include adjustment of the residential south-west courtyard for future road widening and relocation of the pumps and tanks within the under-croft level.