Council decide on South Perth Station Precinct Town Planning Scheme Amendment No. 46

At the City of South Perth Council meeting held on Tuesday 26 April, the Council recommended to the Minister for Planning that Town Planning Scheme Amendment No. 46 ‘South Perth Station Precinct’ be adopted with modifications.

This followed a period of extensive community engagement and consideration of the public submissions, deputations and City Officer’s Report by the Council.

Mayor Sue Doherty said that the Council has endorsed recommendations that will achieve the vision for the precinct, while protecting the amenity for the local residents.

“The precinct is characterised by leafy, pedestrian-friendly streets, a sense of heritage and community focus. In recent times, the City has received a significant number of development applications for very tall buildings in the precinct. The scale of development and the rapid rate of change has exceeded the expectations of the City, the Council and our community.”

“The lesson is that change can be dramatic and sudden, and if we are not ahead of the game in anticipating what can happen we can be overwhelmed by its impact.”

“It is now appropriate to pause and take stock. To take time to understand the cumulative impact of this increased development and ensure the City’s planning controls are in place to deliver on our long-term strategic vision for a vibrant, liveable city, a business location with employment and public transport options.”

“The Council is committed to responsibly managing the transition and balancing the needs of all parties including local residents, ratepayers, developers, and acting for the good of the greater community as we move forward.”

“Amendment No. 46 is about ensuring that further developments enhance the area, and make a positive contribution to this unique and iconic part of Perth. Development can and will continue.”

“There is still significant development potential for the area and the City is well on its way to achieving our infill housing targets. With the applications already approved in the precinct, along with development in other activity centres, we are on track to reach these targets.”

“We will now be seeking to meet with the Minister for Planning as a matter of urgency to convey and clarify the Council’s decision. The Minister will have the final say on the approval of Amendment No. 46.”

Amendment No. 46 provides an interim and improved set of provisions to guide development control in the South Perth Station Precinct. The Council has determined to engage consultants to conduct appropriate investigations to provide a firm foundation underpinning the next scheme amendment. Further community engagement will be undertaken on any proposed modifications.

The Council’s final recommendations include:

• Reduction in the extent of the ‘Special Design Area’ by deleting properties on Mill Point Road north of Judd Street and Ferry Street with the exception of 89 Mill Point Road and 20 Stone Street.

• Introduction of a 4 metre street setback for the northerly portion of Mill Point Road.

• Introduction of a 2 metre street setback for Bowman, Charles and Hardy Streets, except those lots in the ‘Special Design Area’.

• Introduction of absolute height limits in the ‘Special Design Area’. The Council may approve heights above the ‘basic height limits’ of 25 metres and 41 metres if performance criteria are met. Absolute height limits of 55 metres (approximately 18 storeys) and 80 metres (approximately 26 storeys) respectively will apply, removing the ability to approve unlimited heights.

• Where the Council is satisfied that a podium with a zero street setback would not adversely affect the amenity of an adjoining property, or there is a prospect of imminent redevelopment of the adjoining site, between 50% and 60% of the frontage of the site is required to have a zero setback. However, where a zero setback would adversely affect an adjoining property, the Council will require a greater street setback.

• Where there is no prospect of imminent redevelopment on an adjoining site, and a zero setback from a side or rear boundary would adversely affect the amenity of the adjoining property, the Council will specify greater side or rear setbacks for portions of the building. Setbacks will be a minimum of 2 metres when the podium height is less than 9 metres and a minimum of 3 metres when the podium height is greater than 9 metres.

• All comprehensive new development will be required to have a non-residential component with a minimum plot ratio of 1.0. For sites in the ‘Special Design Area’ where the total plot ratio of a Mixed Development is more than 3.0, the plot ratio of the non-residential component must be not less than 1.5.

• In the case of an ‘under-sized’ lot which cannot be amalgamated with another lot, for the site to be eligible for any building height variation, the allowable shortfall in lot area and frontage to be not more than 10%.