Green light for student living in the city

A University of Western Australia-backed plan to build a large student accommodation facility in Perth's CBD has made major progress, with a Stirling Street proposal by developer Stirling Capital getting the nod from planning authorities.

The City of Perth development assessment panel yesterday gave its unanimous approval to Stirling Capital's $21.5 million, 543-bed student accommodation proposal on Northbridge's Stirling Street.

Stirling Capital has been working with UWA's Perth Education City team on the development, which is expected to be a key plank in all of the state's tertiary education providers' pitch to attract international students.

UWA appointed one of its top executives, Gaye McMath, to lead the Perth Education City initiative in January.

The proposal, located at 89-95 Stirling Street, comprises a 22-level tower containing a mix of accommodation types, with individual rooms ranging from 11 square metres to 18sqm.

A small bar or cafe is also proposed for the ground floor.

The student rooms are intended to be available for 50-week leases, while individual units will also be made available for visiting academics or sporting teams.

There are two buildings currently on the site which will be demolished to make way for the development.

Stirling Capital is being sought for comment.