ADJOINING landowners to the Emu Brewery site are concerned that Norm Carey’s Westpoint Group’s ambitious proposal for a 960-apartment development on the site will undermine the value of surrounding buildings and landholdings.
Speaking out against the development proposal, which goes before the City of Perth council for approval deliberation for the second time next week, is the Wylie Group, which owns the neighbouring Bishop’s See site with Hawaiian Management and other joint venture partners.
Other buildings potentially affected by the 20 to 40-level towers proposed for the site include QV1 and the new Woodside Plaza building.
Wylie Group business development manager Terry Christosfides said that the group and other nearby landowners were concerned that the Westpoint proposal was an overdevelopment of the site and would cause numerous problems.
Westpoint’s $450 million development proposal exceeds the City of Perth planning scheme height, development density, plot ratio and car parking restrictions.
The proposal was first presented to the City of Perth council in late October, where it was deferred for further community consultation.
Westpoint has requested a bonus plot ratio of 19.58 per cent, however, City of Perth planning officers indicated that a bonus plot ratio of 7 per cent to 9 per cent was more appropriate for the site.
Mr Christosfides said the massive development raised a number of concerns including overshadowing, loss of views and increased traffic congestion.
“We don’t want to stop development. But we do want sensible and sustainable development on the site,” he said.
Mr Christosfides said if the development went ahead in its current form there would be significant financial ramifications for adjoining landholders due to loss of views and overshadowing.
He said the Wylie Group and Hawaiian Management were among a number of parties that were calling to have council defer on approving the proposal and seek further community consultation to determine the best outcome for the strategic site.
Westpoint Group’s spokesman declined to comment.
