Please attribute the following comments to City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty.

Is the City concerned that the sheer scale of these towers, particularly in the 'precinct' area, will lower the overall amenity for current residents?

The scale of the developments and the rapid rate of change within the South Perth Station Precinct exceeded the expectations of the City, the Council and the community. 

In response, the Council endorsed Amendment No. 46 ‘South Perth Station Precinct’ to the City’s Town Planning Scheme in April 2016. This amendment introduces strong development controls including absolute height limits and setbacks in the Precinct that will achieve the vision for the area, while protecting the amenity for the local residents (ie sunlight is not blocked from neighbouring buildings and cross ventilation is maintained). 

The amendment was referred to the Western Australian Planning Commission in May 2016, and the Minister for Planning Hon. Donna Faragher will make the final determination.

Adapting to change is challenging and high quality design is essential to overcoming community resistance. The Council has listened to the concerns of the community in relation to the height of the buildings, and responded by working collaboratively with the Western Australian Planning Commission to strategically and responsibly manage development within the Precinct. 

Balancing the needs of all parties including local residents, ratepayers, developers, and acting for the good of the greater community as we move forward with the aim to provide certainty for all is of prime importance. 

The challenges being experienced within the City of South Perth are not unique. Expansion and densification of cities presents challenges for all states and metropolitan local governments who are balancing the needs of their growing populations by acknowledging the need for higher density living while protecting the character and identity of their cities. 

The City is committed to creating a vibrant, liveable city, an attractive business location with employment and public transport options, pedestrian friendly tree-lined streets with reminders of South Perth’s heritage. 

What detailed studies have been done on future traffic flows onto and off the freeway exit/entry that includes all the tower developments?

Consultants GHD completed a Transport and Access Study for the Precinct in 2012, and have recently been reengaged by the City to review the Study to ensure effective management strategies into the future.

The City requires all developers to provide a traffic impact assessment report as part of the development application process.

The City is currently investigating the cumulative impacts of the increased development in the South Perth Station Precinct through ‘Micro’ simulation traffic modelling.  

Additionally, in May 2016 Council adopted a Parking Strategy that will provide a long-term plan for the management and provision of parking within the City. Luxmore Parking and Safety Consultants were commissioned by the City to develop the Strategy which will provide a parking framework for the next 15 years to assist in achieving, amongst other things, the City’s goals in relation to travel demand management and sustainable modes of transport. This will include the development of a Parking Management Plan for the South Perth Station Precinct. 

Does the City agree that these developments will add substantially to the current glut of apartments nationally?

Developments are unlikely to go ahead unless sufficient pre-sales are achieved. 

The State Government has set the City of South Perth’s infill housing target at 8,300 by 2050. The City is working on strategic planning proposals which will ensure future development of additional dwellings in activity centres including South Perth Station Precinct, Canning Bridge and Bentley-Curtin Precincts, along activity corridors such as Canning Highway, and in areas of specific redevelopment need such as the Waterford Triangle. Additionally, Cygnia Cove adjacent to Clontarf College is also being developed.

How do any of these developments bolster the case for a train station given they are predominantly residential? 

All comprehensive new developments within the South Perth Station Precinct are required to have a non-residential component. Creating a balance of commercial and residential development is a vitally important part of the vision for the Precinct, to create a vibrant, liveable city, an attractive business location with employment and public transport options. 

A key component of the redevelopment of the South Perth Station Precinct is to encourage patronage of the proposed train station; creating destination uses such as office and commercial development within the 800 metre walkable catchment and improved access to the City’s community facilities, heritage and visitor attractions such as the Perth Zoo. 

The train station has been promised by successive state governments since 2003 and is yet to be delivered. The time has come for the State Government to meet its commitment and to reinstate costings for the South Perth Station in forward estimates. Urban infill must be accompanied by the provision of adequate public transport infrastructure.