The Western Australian government has capped the height of Scarbourough beachfront developments at eight storeys, following the results of a community survey.
The Western Australian government has capped the height of Scarbourough beachfront developments at eight storeys, following the results of a community survey.
In a speech read to parliament, Planning and Infastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said there was very strong community support for the need to improve the Scarborough Beach precinct, including high density living options, but that there was very little support for developments of nine storeys or more.
“It is obvious that we will not see the necessary redevelopment of Scarborough Beach without some upzoning,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“However, I judge the balance of community opinion in opposition to high rise in this area.
“Therefore I am prepared to support the development of four to eight storey buildings, provided the development is limited and judiciously placed and design guidelines assure a quality landscape.
Ms MacTiernan said the amendments proposed by the City of Stirling would need to be considerably altered to incorporate buildings of four to eight storeys rather than the 16 storeys planned by developers Cape Bouvard.
Stirling City Council mayor Tony Vallelonga said he was very disappointed with the Minister’s decision and had hoped that she would wave consulted with the council further.
“If the Minister is determined then most development won’t proceed in Scarborough because there won’t be adequate return,” Mr Vallelonga said.
“Unless development is higher than 10 storeys, there will be no profitability and it simply won’t happen.
“Unlike a lot of coastal land, the Scarborough land is owned by private enterprise and it is ridiculous that development won’t be able to go ahead.
“People have a fear of the unknown, but cities can only be successful if people are willing to invest.
“I will fight this all the way, I’m not in this position for any other reason than that I love being a councillor, and this decision is not in the best interests of the city.
Cape Bouvard commercial director Lee Pinkerton said that by restricting height, developers contributions to infrastructure foreshore redevelopment would then drop off.
“An eight level development is not going to obtain the same prices as a sixteen level development and therefore the ability to absorb the high contribution costs won’t be there,” Mr Pinkerton said.
Developers had previously promised $25 million to redevelop the Scarborough foreshore.
In July, Stockland withdrew from the $35 million purchase of the Luna shopping centre in Scarborough after initially revealing plans to build apartment towers up to 20 storeys.
