Opponents can become supporters

High-rise development is often met with resistance because of the lack of comparable, successful projects at the time, according to some of those at the WA Business News coastal development forum.

Among the developments participants highlighted as having proved successful, over time, were several that had met strong criticism, or were pushed through by regulatory authorities such as the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority.

LandCorp chief executive officer Ross Holt said Hillarys was a controversial development that initially met with strong opposition, but the project was now flourishing.

“There were people lying in front of bulldozers and now Hillarys is the second most visited tourist spot in WA,” he said.

“What we find is there was a high level of support when developing Mandurah Ocean Marina because Hillarys is there and it’s a fantastic development and it’s set an understanding in the community.

“In terms of good high-rise development on the coast, where is it? Where is the comparison? At the moment all they see is something they don’t see as high quality and naturally they [opponents] retreat to a very conservative stance.”

City of Stirling Mayor Tony Vallelonga said the Trigg Cafe development was another project that had received plenty of criticism.

“But today the same people [who were critical of the project] say it is great and how beautiful it is,” he said.

Multiplex development manager Charlie Robertson said many people had not experienced other development and therefore were hesitant to embrace change.

“I don’t think you would find too many people who have been to Queensland or been to the Sydney beachfront opposing development along the coastline,” he said.

“Here we are starting with a blank piece of paper and you have to deal with a city which has no perception of what might happen.”

Roberts Day managing director Erwin Roberts said successful projects such as Cottesloe and Fremantle would struggle to gain approval in the current climate.

“If you were to walk in today to try and replicate Cottesloe or Fremantle, your starting point would be a 200-metre setback, no relationship to the beach, and it may struggle to get a mixed-use component, which is where you get that vitality and vibrancy,” Mr Roberts said. 

“I think we shouldn’t get bogged down in what has happened in the last 10 to 20 years but perhaps go back to our roots and ask why Fremantle and Cottesloe worked.”