Green light for Rocky Bay’s Belmont HQ
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Disability services provider Rocky Bay will move into a three-storey Belmont hub after a development assessment panel unanimously approved its $78 million proposal.
The Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel today approved, with conditions, the organisation’s proposal to build its new headquarters on a 1.9-hectare site on the corner of Abernethy Road and Fairbrother Road.
Rocky Bay acquired the Belmont site for $13.5 million in September.
The organisation has also engaged Knight Frank to sell its former headquarters site, a 2.8-hectare lot on McCabe Street in Mosman Park.
Designed by architecture practice Hames Sharley, the Belmont headquarters would be a campus-style development comprising a series of connected pods surrounding a landscape community garden.
Services to be offered at the new hub include paediatric therapy and inclusive early learning, hydrotherapy, multidisciplinary therapy services, sector training and skills development opportunities, and community access programs.
The proposal was also supported by the City of Belmont, with JDAP member and city mayor Phil Marks singling out the hydro pool feature proposed for the new centre.
"I know older people like myself are looking for a hydro pool. We [currently] go to Victoria Park," he said at the meeting.
JDAP member and Belmont councillor Robert Rossi said the site was an entry point to the city.
"I'm more than happy to approve this high quality development for a long [time] vacant site," he said.
After the meeting, Rocky Bay chief executive Michael Tait said this was an important decision, not just for the organisation but for disability services in the state.
"Our visionary project looks beyond the requirements of surviving in the current policy and funding environment, and actively seeks to deliver services at a level not yet seen in Western Australia," he said.
"Imagine a future where people with disability and members of the community come together at an inclusive facility that supports and nurtures all abilities.
"Our interdisciplinary facility will provide one of the state’s most holistic and inclusive service offerings to help thousands of people with disability live a better life.”
Rocky Bay previously told Business News the transition to the new hub was expected to be completed by 2025, with a capital raising campaign to support the development to be launched later this year.