The City of Nedlands is proposing to re-zone an area of land in the heart of Dalkeith to allow for a mixed-use retail, commercial and residential development of up to five storeys.
The City of Nedlands is proposing to re-zone an area of land in the heart of Dalkeith to allow for a mixed-use retail, commercial and residential development of up to five storeys.
The re-zoning would encompass the commercial strip along Waratah Avenue, from Robert Street to Adelma Road, and would include some residential re-zoning on Circe Circle near Genesta Crescent.
Within the proposed area, the Nedlands council has identified five zones of development with varying height restrictions.
A village core area, covering six lots at the intersection of Waratah Avenue and Alexander Road, has been pegged for an active retail strip, with a mixture of commercial and residential space above.
Buildings would range from two to four storeys.
Another section at the east end of Waratah Avenue up to Adelma Road, has been zoned as a village centre, to accommodate buildings of three to five storeys.
This section, and an additional six lots at the west end, would contain ground floor retail and hospitality tenants, with office and residential space above.
Further commercial developments of two to three storeys would be permitted along Waratah Avenue and Alexander Road, while some higher density housing would be included around the Dalkeith Primary School area.
A spokesperson for the City of Nedlands said the redevelopment proposal had emerged from a housing diversity study, which was conducted by the council in 2006.
The study was commissioned after the WA Planning Commission rejected the council’s town planning scheme, on the basis that it did not meet the objectives of the state government’s Network City strategy.
According to the strategy, 60 per cent of new developments must be in established areas.
A city spokesperson said the redevelopment was about trying to provide a different housing product in Nedlands, which would result in an increase in dwelling numbers.
But the proposal has attracted strong opposition from some residents.
Lobby group People Against Density in Dalkeith (PADD) was established earlier this month and has been campaigning against the proposal.
Former City of Perth town planner Max Hipkins, who is running for council in the Dalkeith Ward by-election, said the redevelopment issue had prompted him to nominate.
“I just think it’s over the top to allow five storeys when you’ve only got one storey at present. It’s just excessive,” he said.
“With the expansion of Claremont and Subiaco, it’s a question of how much additional shopping is needed.”
Mr Hipkins, who is also tactical adviser to the PADD group, said the council’s lack of consultation with ratepayers had caused a lot of angst.
“I think what has upset the locals is the council has had private meetings with people who stand to benefit, who have a pecuniary interest in the proposal,” he said.
In addition to the Dalkeith strip, three areas along Stirling Highway have been identified for higher density developments.
These areas, which include the Captain Stirling shopping centre and the Windsor cinema, have been flagged for higher density housing and further commercial developments.
While Dalkeith and Stirling Highway were both identified as priority areas under the council’s diversity study, only the Dalkeith redevelopment is proceeding to formal review at present.
If the Dalkeith redevelopment receives formal approval in the middle of the year, it will be submitted to the state government as an amendment to the city’s Town Planning Scheme No. 2.
Informal consultations are currently being held with residents.
