Planning Minister John Day has approved the controversial Australian Fine China Scheme Amendment, with some concessions, making way for the redevelopment of one of the last sites in the Subi Centro project.
Planning Minister John Day has approved the controversial Australian Fine China Scheme Amendment, with some concessions, making way for the redevelopment of one of the last sites in the Subi Centro project.
The full announcement is below:
Planning Minister John Day today announced the approval of the Australian Fine China (AFC) Scheme Amendment, with some modifications, making way for the redevelopment of one of the last sites in the Subi Centro project.
In approving the scheme amendment, the Minister removed any discretion the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority had to increase the development's height and commercial floorspace area.
Approval of the scheme amendment is the final stage in planning for the AFC site and the culmination of more than three years' planning, design and consultation.
Mr Day said the AFC site was in a unique position to connect, complement and enhance the Subiaco community and was supported by the Department of Planning and the Government Architect.
"The new development will offer a mixture of commercial, residential and recreational opportunities, and responds to the growing demand for apartment living and office space close to the city, with a focus on public transport and a range of activities on its doorstep," he said.
The Minister acknowledged there had been significant community and stakeholder interest in the project.
"I have personally met with the City of Subiaco and representatives of the community to discuss their concerns and, since the public consultation process closed in February 2008, many changes have been made to the plan, including reductions in height and density, introduction of solar setbacks, and an increase in parking," he said.
The removal of the height discretion ensures the development is restricted to three to five storey buildings for the overall project, with corner elements of six storeys for three of the lots.
These corner elements will provide architectural interest and have been carefully designed to integrate with the surrounding urban form.
"The removal of this discretion addresses a major concern raised by the City of Subiaco and residents in the area," Mr Day said.
"I have also capped commercial floor space to 37,500sqm in response to concerns raised by the City of Subiaco."
The plan provides a continuation of the townhouse style development on the east neighbouring Darbon Crescent and careful setting of height limits on the northern and western fringes adjacent to the existing Subiaco Rise housing.
"I am well aware that some Subiaco residents are opposed to the form of this development, despite changes having been made from the original proposal. However, I am also aware of other Subiaco residents who have expressed their support," the Minister said.
"In any event, it is my responsibility as Minister to consider all of the views, both of local residents and the wider public interest. To refuse this planning scheme amendment with the modifications I have made would have been very short-sighted and would be ignoring the longer term needs of Perth and the State."
"I am confident the final plan strikes a good balance between responding to consultation feedback and delivering on our responsibility to cater for Perth's changing demographics and the needs of the future community. We have a growing and aging population coupled with a need for more diversity in residential accommodation.
"The AFC site will be transformed into a bustling community with an important commercial focus on Hay Street, and a substantial residential precinct, connecting and integrating with the parkland and housing areas surrounding it.
"A central spine will connect the development to the existing major parkland to its north and incorporate a landscaped plaza, coffee shop and community meeting place, as well as heritage features to celebrate the history of the AFC site, including a retained portion of the calyx wall, an old kiln, former AFC machinery and interpretive public art."
The project incorporates a number of initiatives to reduce water and energy use and will achieve some major innovations, including a centralised approach to rainwater storage and reuse for offsetting potable demand in all buildings - the first of its kind in Western Australia.
"These initiatives will achieve about a 50 per cent reduction in scheme water and non-renewable energy use and a 55 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions," Mr Day said.
"This is a redevelopment for WA to be proud of and will be a lost opportunity if the land is not developed in the way proposed."
The SRA, which began the Subi Centro project in 1994, is responsible for the planning and redevelopment of the AFC site. More information on the final AFC plan, including fact sheets and images can be viewed at http://www.sra.wa.gov.au.
A series of open days to the AFC site are also being planned by the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority for members of the community to see the plans first hand. More information is available on the SRA website and will be advertised in The West Australian and local Subiaco newspapers.
The SRA will start subdivision works at the AFC site in 2010 and the residential and commercial building will be progressively constructed by developers in the next five years.
