Tall & Urban News

The Metro Inner-North Development Assessment Panel knocked back the Perth-based project, citing “excessive building bulk” at the 97-105 Stirling Highway site.

The proposed development site, located in the new Nedlands Town Centre, is a joint venture between Costa Property Group and Grange Development Consulting.

The duo had proposed 301 apartments, a mixture of six cafes and restaurants, nine offices, retail and 455 car parking spaces.

The developers will now push on with an appeal process, Grange Development’s managing director James Dibble said an appeal had now been made to the administrative tribunal.

“The Joint Development Assessment Panel voted two in favour and three against,” Dibble told The Urban Developer.

“We acknowledge the positive comments from the JDAP members and will seek to resolve any outstanding issues via the SAT process of which the appeal was lodged on Monday.”

Dibble said the project had been commended for its green credentials, being the state’s first Net Carbon Zero Building. And if approved, he added that the project would create 5000 jobs in Western Australia.

“It creates a landmark for the western suburbs and a benchmark of how to do density right, in a considered way.”

Last year a state design review panel report suggested a medium-rise built form approach as offering a “better contextual fit” for the 6,050-square-meter site.

“The building typology and scale is suitable for a CBD, or major metropolitan centre, but not a local town centre,” advice from the government architect reads.

The state government has moved to increase density within Nedlands, an issue for local council and community opposing higher density in the Perth area.

Nedland’s current planning scheme has been in place since 1985.

The site, which has major street frontage to Stirling Highway and sits within the new Nedlands Town Centre, is currently occupied by a car dealership and bike store.

Known as an affluent western suburb of Perth, Nedlands sits about seven kilometers from the CBD.

The project, which ranged in heights from eight, 12, 17 and 24 stories, had been rejected by the City of Nedlands council last month.

The site neighbors the heritage-listed Peace Memorial Rose Garden.

Planning gave the nod of approval for a 37-apartment building at the nearby 17-19 Louise Street site the week of 20 July 2020.

Plans for the AUD$17 million (US$12 million) residential development had also been opposed by the City of Nedlands, and were lodged last year.

For more on this story, go to The Urban Developer.