Nine-storey apartments at Shenton Park

The state government is targeting construction of at least 1,100 new dwellings on the Shenton Park Hospital site, with developments ranging from two-storey townhouses to nine-storey apartment buildings.

A draft improvement scheme for the 15.8-hectare site, on the corner of Selby and Lemnos streets, was released today for public consultation.

Lands Minister Terry Redman said the site could potentially take up to 1,600 dwellings, with the final number to be determined by private sector developers.

“The developers will have the bounds of the improvement plan to work (within),” he said.

“We’ve put the boundaries on that and the private sector and their commercial decisions will decide past that.”

Demolition is expected to commence early this year, with the first lots released to developers in late 2016.

Mr Redman said he anticipated the overall development would take about 10 years, and declined to speculate on the likely proceeds from land sales.

The improvement scheme does not specify the maximum building height, but LandCorp anticipates that nine storeys is the likely limit.

The improvement scheme sets aside 23 per cent of the site for public open space, including 2.9ha of remnant vegetation.

Mr Redman said this amount of public open space was more than would normally occur.

The development also proposes the retention of Victoria House and the façade of the G-block building in a heritage precinct, which would include 5,500 square metres of retail and commercial space fronting Selby Street.

Two portions of land totalling 6,000sqm will be leased to the Leukaemia Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA to develop new patient accommodation facilities.

Planning minister John Day said the draft improvement scheme would guide development of the 15.8ha urban village.

“The site’s proximity to well serviced public transport links, including the Shenton Park train station, make it an ideal location for appropriate density,” Mr Day said.

“A development of this type will go a long way to accommodating our growing population while providing people with housing diversity and choice.”

Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA CEO Marcus Stafford said demand for its services continued to grow, "that’s why we are pleased that the state government has given us the opportunity to build a $2 million high support accommodation facility for people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions at the Shenton Park site".

“As an organisation we are always looking to provide appropriate accommodation for our members," Mr Stafford said.

"The Shenton Park facility will offer residents their own bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom, so they have the best of both worlds – around the clock care and a great place to call home.”

The Leukaemia Foundation plans to build a 20-25 apartment accommodation complex called Village of Hope, consisting of one to three-bedroom apartments, catering for families who need to relocate to Perth for blood cancer treatment.

“The accommodation facility will not only provide families with a free ‘home away from home’, relieving financial pressure and stress, but it will also provide them with an opportunity to safely interact with those facing similar situations, increasing morale and creating a sense of comradery in the Village of Hope,” said WA general manager Andrew York.

The Foundation said the central location in Shenton Park meant transport to Perth metropolitan hospitals will be simplified, and patients and their families will have ease of access to the range of services provided by the dedicated team of blood cancer support staff who will be located onsite with the Foundation’s administration team.

In coming months the Foundation will begin a capital campaign to raise funds to build the Village of Hope.