Gina Rinehart-led Hancock Prospecting has received approval to build a $250 million business hub in West Perth, which will include accommodation for visiting executives.
Gina Rinehart-led Hancock Prospecting has received approval to build a $250 million business hub in West Perth, which will include accommodation for visiting executives and guests of the business.
The Statutory Planning Committee today unanimously approved Hancock’s application to demolish four office buildings at the corner of Outram and Ord streets, to make way for its 14-storey project.
Dubbed Project Winnipeg, the proposed development comprises 10,138 square metres of office floor space, amenities, and five single-bedroom dwellings.
Element advisory planner Dan Lees, on behalf of Hancock, said the residential component was designed to ensure accommodation was always available for guests of the business.
“They’re intended as executive suites for this particular tenant which is the Hancock Group of businesses,” he said at the meeting.
“It would provide for visiting executives or guests of the business who are in Perth for an extended period of time.
“The availability of accommodation – for residential or short-term hotel – the shortage of that is pretty well publicised in Perth at certain times of the year.”
The residential component was questioned by SPC member Megan Adair at the meeting, who asked how the development would contribute to the goal in making West Perth a mixed-use area.
“You’re not actually providing any residential at all and the additional uses of pool and bar are private from what I understand, so no public will ever be able to access any of that,” she said.
Mr Lees said the development being used for residential was discretionary according to the local planning framework.
Despite her questions, Ms Adair backed the proposal, which was approved by the SPC without dissent.
A render of the proposed West Perth build. Image: Donaldson Boshard via SDAU
Hancock Prospecting’s office proposal was lodged with the state government’s Significant Development Assessment Unit.
“We welcome the decision by the WA State Development Assessment Unit to approve the plans for our West Perth property development,” a Hancock Prospecting spokesperson said after the meeting.
The SDAU acknowledged, in its report, that the height and scale of Hancock’s proposed office were concerns raised during the public consultation process.
“While this could be a reason to refuse the proposal, it is considered that the departures from the local planning framework are consistent with the objectives and orderly and proper planning, including amenity considerations, and that the development is capable of being approved,” the SDAU said in its report.
“Overall, the height, plot ratio and minor setback departures from the existing and proposed local planning frameworks are generally aligned with the strategic planning framework, achieve the intent of the emerging framework, are unlikely to affect the amenity of the locality and are consistent with orderly and proper planning, and are therefore supported for reasons as outlined in the report.”
Heritage concerns
SDAU principal planning officer Jacky Jurmann said the main issues raised related to height and the heritage value of the existing buildings on site.
One of the four buildings on site includes a Federation-style bungalow built in 1905.
Ms Jurmann said, at the meeting, that the buildings were not on a heritage list or surveys.
In its report, the SDAU said the bungalow was historically significant because it represented the lifestyle of wealthier residents from that time and the evolving nature of West Perth.
However, it was not on the heritage list.
"The property's history reflects West Perth's transition from a residential area to a commercial hub," the report said.
"Some public submissions objected to the building’s demolition to enable the development. The building is not listed on the State Register of Heritage Places."
The building’s heritage significance was considered by the City of Perth in early 2023, but the council decided to not include the bungalow in the local heritage survey.
At the time, then-Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas used his casting vote to break the deadlock at the council meeting.
Speaking to journalists about Hancock’s $250 million plan being approved, premier Roger Cook said he hoped due process was provided to back up the decision.
“I hope we can all have confidence in the decisions that the City of Perth made, although there clearly seems to be some question marks in relation to the integrity of that decision,” he said.
“Today, we want to make sure that we have a vibrant city that can develop and grow, but we do need to be respectful of our built heritage and our cultural heritage.”
Deputy premier Rita Saffioti criticised the move made by Mr Zempilas over the heritage list exclusion, particularly after the latter was elected as Churchlands MP.
“He's out there protesting against redeveloping a landfill site into a multi-use community infrastructure yet look at his record when he was mayor,” she said today.
“It's more about the hypocrisy of Basil Zempilas on all matters and this is a clear demonstration.
“This is a person who now pretends he cares about anything, and when he was mayor, he did whatever he liked.”
The approved development adds to the string of Hancock Prospecting developments, including its plan to build a five-storey commercial hub at 53 Ord Street, also in West Perth.
