Development at the barracks

THE owner of the Swan Barracks in Francis Street has terminated a parking contract with Secure Parking, prompting talk of redevelopment plans for the site.

However, a spokesperson for the owner of the building, Swan Barracks Holdings, has denied there are any development plans being considered for the landmark Northbridge site.

Currently Auston Institute of Management and Technology is the only tenant in the building, which comprises more than 6,000sqm of space.

It’s understood the building has previously successfully sought planning provision for a range of uses on the site, including education, a conference facility and accommodation.

Auston Institute of Management and Technology inhabits about 2,000sqm and is understood to be looking at a number of options, including moving to a new location in the Swan Barracks.

“There’s actually nothing finalised at this stage and we have only a verbal thing with Auston about moving to the other side,” a spokesperson for the property owner said.

“We are only looking for tenants to fill up the space. The barracks have never been fully occupied.

“We actually have all the approvals in place for education, conference and accommodation in the centre, but we had that in place a long time ago.”

The barracks are not restricted to these uses and the space could easily be converted to an office use for an interested business.

Swan Barracks Holdings has not ruled out appointing another company to manage the car parking spaces at the barracks, however for now, no new arrangement has been entered into.

“Nothing is happening to the building at all and there are no plans at all,” a spokesperson said.

“The only possibility is if the school shifts over there might be some touching up to do.

“Even the fact that they are moving over is not in written form at the moment.”

The Swan Barracks was previously home to Community Television, the program production arm of public television station, Access 31.

C-TV used a $200,000 grant from the Lotteries Commission to fund the production facility, which has now relocated to the old Church of Christ building on Beaufort Street in Mt Lawley.