This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
DUAL residential towers of 39 and 22 storeys will rise above the South Perth peninsula after the Western Australian government approved Finbar’s $365 million Civic Heart development.
State Planning Minister Rita Saffioti used her legislative powers to call in the development application in October for her determination due to the significant of the site, after the Joint Development Assessment Panel’s rejection of the project. Finbar subsequently sought a review by State Administrative Tribunal.
The project had been amended multiple times as Finbar sought to gain approval. Support came from the City of South Perth’s Responsible Authority Report, and the Design Review Panel after modifications.
Approval means the triangular 8,208 sqm site bounded by Mends St, Mill Point Rd and Labouchere Rd will have 305 residential apartments, four penthouses, and 25 ground-floor commercial tenancies.
As part of Finbar’s plan, the heritage-listed former South Perth Police Station and adjacent Post Office will be retained and upgraded.
“This decision is a win for the community and marks a significant step forward as we will now move to embrace the Minister’s conditions and recommendations, and move promptly to the marketing stage of the project where we already have a register of 4,700 enquiries.” Finbar managing director, Darren Pateman said.
Construction is expected to generate hundreds of jobs, and ongoing jobs will be created upon completion of the commercial component.
“I considered the overall scale of this proposal to be appropriate given the prominence of the location, the clear distinction between the two towers, incorporation of heritage elements and climate responsive design,” Saffioti said.
“This development will end years of uncertainty and finally deliver on the vision for the South Perth area.”
Saffioti imposed additional conditions in relation to the podium and green wall construction, and sought clarification on measures to address subsoil water seepage, building water-proofing and 100-year flood levels.
