Development Application received for Civic Site

The City of South Perth received a Development Application for the Civic Site from Finbar Group Limited in December 2018.

The Civic Site is a triangular-shaped parcel of land bounded by Labouchere Road, Mends Street and Mill Point Road in South Perth.

The application proposes a 39 storey north tower and a 22 storey south tower (including enclosed roof top services and podium levels) with 309 apartments, 25 ground-floor commercial tenancies and one commercial tenancy on level three.

Following the City’s assessment of the application, the City will prepare a Responsible Authority Report (RAR) and make a recommendation with the final decision to be made by the Metro Central Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP).

As part of the City’s development assessment process, the proposal will be referred to the City’s Design Review Panel (DRP) for comment on the overall design quality. Design principles considered by the DRP include context and character, landscape quality, built form and scale, functionality and build quality, sustainability, amenity, legibility, safety, community and aesthetics.

It is expected that the Civic Site application will be determined at a JDAP meeting to be held in March 2019. If further information and/or amended plans are required the meeting may be deferred.

The 8,206m2 Civic Site is the focal and structural centre for the South Perth peninsula precinct and presents a unique development opportunity. This prominent location at the intersection of two key roads, is adjacent to the main hub of activity on Mends Street. It is the gateway to the City and provides links with the South Perth Foreshore, Swan River and key tourist attraction the Perth Zoo.

In 2017, the City of South Perth Council initiated Scheme Amendment No. 56 ‘Civic Site’ in recognition of the site’s uniqueness and the need for more specific and flexible development controls to deliver an appropriate, memorable and iconic development to form an appropriate centerpiece for the area.

This amendment came into operational effect on 22 January 2019. As a result, the Civic Site is located within the newly created Special Control Area 2 and the proposed development must comply with the development controls applicable to this site.

The amendment introduces new provisions into the City’s Town Planning Scheme No. 6 which control the site’s development in regards to tower height, scale of podiums, land use, vehicle and bicycle parking and traffic management, the pedestrian environment, heritage protection, design quality, public and occupier benefit.

“Since the sale of the Civic Site in 2014, the City has anticipated a high-quality, exceptionally designed development that recognises the prime location, distinctive characteristics and existing cultural heritage of the area to be built on the site. Scheme Amendment No. 56 brings us closer to achieving this,” City of South Perth Mayor, Sue Doherty said.

“The amendment is consistent with the City’s vision for a landmark and vibrant mixed-use development on the Civic Site for the South Perth community, incorporating attractive retail, residential, commercial and local public amenities.

“Additionally, the amendment aligns with the broader State planning framework, in relation to the scale and nature of permissible development appropriate for the South Perth Activity Centre. It is consistent with the principles of orderly and proper planning. Importantly, it will ensure that the site is developed in a manner that reflects its prominence in the locality, providing a centerpiece for the peninsula.”

The current development application presents a new design and is a separate application to the previous ‘Civic Heart’ proposal on this site. The 2015 approval for the previous proposal has since expired.

Background

The City commenced acquiring the lots that constitute the Civic Site in 1986 with the longer term objective and vision to facilitate and enable a vibrant mixed use development on this strategic location. The City ultimately obtained eight of the nine Civic Site lots and sold these eight lots to the Finbar Group Ltd entity South Perth Civic Triangle Pty Ltd, with settlement in September 2014. Australia Post sold the Post Office property to South Perth Civic Triangle Pty Ltd, with settlement in June 2015.

Have Your Say

From 5pm, Tuesday 29 January 2019, the City invites comments from the community and other stakeholders on the Civic Site development application. Feedback can be submitted via the City’s engagement website Your Say South Perth, or alternatively by email enquiries@southperth.wa.gov.au or by mail, City of South Perth, Cnr Sandgate St and South Tce, South Perth WA 6151.

The City will notify in writing all nearby property owners and occupiers of this development application in accordance with policy – P301 – Community Engagement in Planning Proposals.

Feedback received will be taken into consideration in the development of formal recommendations by the City to the Metro Central JDAP who will make the final determination on the proposed development.