West Perth land primed for density

The state government has approved planning changes over a West Perth area, intensifying the plot ratio the City of Perth initially proposed.

Planning Minister John Carey today announced he has approved changes to the City of Perth’s local planning scheme, after getting advice from the Western Australian Planning Commission.

Three lots covering 5,600 square metres along Troode Street have been identified as a key precinct for housing and commercial intensification.

The city originally proposed to set a blanket plot ratio of 3:1 for all land uses over the three lots bound by Mitchell Freeway to the north and Loftus Street to the west.

The lots, with two being vacant, originally had a plot ratio of 3:1 for residential and special residential uses and 2:1 for other uses, including commercial.

Mr Carey directed the city to modify the proposal to increase the maximum plot ratio for residential land to 5:1 and other land uses to 3:1, the city’s meeting minutes show.

The modified scheme was re-advertised and adopted by the city council in May.

“What the City of Perth first proposed for this strategic site would have been a missed opportunity to revitalise the West Perth precinct and to enable more housing to be delivered in our inner city,” Mr Carey said today.

“Infill development, particularly in Perth, is vital in delivering a more vibrant and connected city by making best use of existing infrastructure and supporting greater housing supply and diversity.

“It’s acknowledged there must be shared a responsibility across all levels of government to deliver more housing at this critical time, and this is an example of a local government not taking the opportunity to enable more housing in a key, strategic infill area.”

PTS Town Planning, on behalf of Georgiou Developments, requested the city change the existing plot ratio controls within the West Perth area in February, council documents show.