Locus renews Freo project in $38m plan

Locus Development Group went back to the drawing board on its Fremantle townhouse plan after an assessment panel knocked back the proposal twice.

The proposed development, named Monument East, initially comprises 55 townhouses at the corner of Stack and Amherst streets in Fremantle.

The Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel refused the $21.5 million proposal in November 2022 and again in June last year, despite the matter being reviewed by the State Administrative Tribunal after the first rejection.

Locus recently submitted a revised application, estimated to cost $38 million, to build 57 townhouses, 24 residential apartments and seven commercial tenancies on an expanded site.

The Subiaco-based developer acquired a 3,695 square metre vacant lot on Amherst Street for $3.52 million last year, bringing Locus’s landholding in the area known as Knutsford precinct to 1.4 hectares.

Locus director Damian Long told Business News the new application includes the additional adjoining land the company acquired last year.

“This strategic acquisition has provided us with greater flexibility to expand the project's size, allowing for a more diverse and inclusive development,” Mr Long said.

“Over the past four months, we have actively engaged with the community through design feedback sessions and discussions with local stakeholder groups.

“The invaluable input received during this period has played a crucial role in shaping the enhanced features of the project.”

He said the proposed expansion caters for the community’s desire for more green space and a greater housing diversity.

The subject site comprises eight individual freehold lots, according to the development application.

“A previous application was prepared and lodged with the City of Fremantle, however, community opposition has resulted in a need for a different approach to the design resolution of the site,” the application said.

“At the same time, two additional lots at the northern end of the site were acquired which afforded the design team the capacity to introduce new thinking to the site and different forms and scale of development.

Business News understands the application is expected to be considered by the JDAP in March.