A multi-tower mixed-use development designed by Elenberg Fraser has been approved by an assessment panel in Perth, overturning an earlier decision to reject the proposal.
The $320 million project at 97-105 Stirling Highway in Nedlands was initially refused by the Metro Inner North Joint Development Assessment Panel in July 2020 because it failed “to meet the vision for a new activated and vibrant Nedlands Town Centre.”
But after an appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal and a significant redesign informed by four separate mediation sessions, the same panel gave it the green light on 8 February.
The originally proposed four towers will become three, with the 11-storey inner-east tower removed from the scheme and the remaining towers all reduced in height.
The changes reduce the number of dwellings from 301 to 231, and the number of office spaces and restaurants on the ground floor has also been reduced.
“The modified proposal is representational of the existing character of the area through the fine grain finishes and landscaping which are incorporated into the overall design,” a report prepared by Urbanista Town Planning states. “The proposed modified design has carefully considered, and fully addresses the reasons for refusal, resulting in a more sympathetic and improved design.”
The City of Nedlands opposed the proposal, with mayor Cilla De Lacy telling the assessment panel, “A development with two tower elements around twenty storeys does not positively respond to the desired future scale and character of the street as defined by the Strategy. In fact, a development of this height would sit totally out of context with the only adopted desired future scale of 3-9 storeys.”
The assessment panel voted 3-2 in support of the amended proposal.
