A 22-storey development comprising short-stay accommodation in East Perth has been approved but the developer has flagged a long-term plan to convert the units to permanent dwellings.
A 22-storey development comprising short-stay accommodation in East Perth has been approved but the developer has flagged a long-term plan to convert the units to permanent dwellings.
The development would comprise 73 short-stay serviced apartments, 12 permanent dwellings, a restaurant or café, and a 55-bay carpark.
The City of Perth Local Development Assessment Panel unanimously approved the project, to be built on a 1,611-square metre area bound by Bennett Street and Forrest Avenue, at its meeting this morning.
Town planner element lodged the application, which listed the project's value at $21.5 million, on behalf of landowner Wangara-based Delstrat Group.
Element planning principal Daniel Lees said the short-stay units were planned to be converted to permanent apartments after 10 years of operation.
“We’ve been very open with the city in indicating the intent here …We are therefore seeking to future proof this building,” he said at the meeting.
“This development will assist and contribute to the city’s population target.”
Mr Lees said the basement levels of the proposed development was to be left as vacant space, and later be made into a carpark for residents.
“We do believe they can sit vacant for 10 years with access to be restricted to the area,” he said.
Part of today's approval include the City of Perth officers developing a legal arrangement to secure restricted areas to the basement levels as part of the applicant's bid to future proof the space.
"We shouldn’t be approving basement levels without land use but this is unique ... where the applicant is trying to achieve flexibility in the design such that they can convert it without [additional] costs and construction," JDAP deputy presiding member Jarrod Ross said.
The city supported the project, with its planning officers saying the proposed development was consistent with intended residential neighbourhood development of Goderich Precinct.
An advice note to ensure future residents would not bear commercial costs imposed by the Perth Parking Levy has been added to the approval, as per the suggestion of city councillor and JDAP member Catherine Lezer.
The proposed development is not without criticism, with some members of the community objecting to the project because of potential noise impacts and insufficient carpark space.
However, JDAP presiding member Ray Haeren said short-stay accommodation constrained to one building had far less impact to the community than the likes of Airbnb.
