Claremont redevelopment moves ahead

The Town of Claremont will initiate a town planning scheme amendment next month to kick start the state government’s planned redevelopment of Claremont Oval and land north of the railway station.

Claremont Mayor Peter Olson said the plan would need a two-pronged approach to re-zoning, beginning with the council’s own Town Planning Scheme Amendment, followed by an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Planning Scheme by the state government.

A concept plan for a ‘village-green’ style redevelopment around Claremont Oval was first revealed in April this year, featuring new clubrooms and more than 300 apartments and commercial units in low-rise buildings up to four-storeys.

The entire concept plan covers around 12 hectares, including railway reserve land, and is expected to yield approximately 430 new dwellings.

“We’ve got to start the process and will be getting onto it in December. The concept still needs more detailed planning and a town planning scheme review which could take two years,” Mr Olson told WA Business News.

Mr Olson said council had not gone any further with the concept plan because of community concern over height limits and lack of detail, but these would be addressed following the result of detailed feasibility studies by both LandCorp and the town.

Council has already gathered widespread community support for the town’s revitalisation, following the release of its North East Precinct Development Plan for public comment in April and June this year.

In particular, a high level of support was received for low-rise residential development around Claremont Oval, as well as potential low-rise mixed commercial development on the western edge of the Claremont Show Grounds and a relocation of the Police Station close to a redeveloped train station and public plaza.

While feasibility studies continue, the town is moving along with its own subdivision of the former Lakeway Drive-in site on Narla Road, Swanbourne.

A draft subdivision plan is currently out for public comment until December 8, showing 40 residential lots averaging 500 square metres each, surrounded by 1.3 hectares of bushland.

Mr Olson said the project was progressing well and the lots were expected to be ready for sale by November next year.

Also on the town’s agenda is the future of its golf course, situated on a former landfill site, which is in poor condition and attracts few players.

With residential development out of the question due to environmental and Aboriginal heritage issues, council is due to consider spending up to $5 million on options raised by a stakeholder reference group, including re-landscaping the course as part parkland and native bushland or restoring its entirety to native bushland.