THE draft Bayswater Town Centre Structure Plan (BTCSP) will advertised for public comment despite several community group members’ concerns over the lack of density on King William Street, the “heart of the town centre”.
Four Future Bayswater members addressed Bayswater Council at Tuesday’s committee meeting and pushed for a “high street” of up to six-storey development on the southern side of the Bayswater Train Station, which would match the density proposed for the northern side on Beechboro Road.
Four to five storeys was proposed for King William Street compared to four to six storeys on Beechboro Road.
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READ NOWThe members also urged Council to wait until the State Government and the Public Transport Authority followed through with a $40 million election pledge to upgrade the station and town centre, and plans for the Metronet train line from Perth Airport to Ellenbrook.
Main features of the draft BTCSP include an increased residential density around the station and a focus on 10 character precincts, including the Beechboro Core and King William South.
Officers took about two years and spent $120,000 to create the draft.
Future Bayswater member Andrew Watt said nearby train stations including Bassendean had better development potential than the Bayswater.
“A Baysie Rollers survey found 80 per cent of people shopped on King William Street, so why is there a priority at the other side of the track on Beechboro Road?” he said.
“There needs to be symmetry and not have density just on one side, which will look disjointed and lopsided.”
City of Bayswater strategic planner and place manager Matt Turner said the City was confident the BTCSP was the “whole package”.
“The structure plan confidently addresses the core of King William Street where there is a range of densities and properties to ensure quality development,” he said.
Mayor Barry McKenna said the State Government could take about three years until it announced its plans for the station.
Cr Sally Palmer said the draft BTCSP will be tabled at two workshops run by the City, where ratepayers could attend.
Council passed the item 6-2 and the plan will now be advertised for 42 days before being brought back to Council for further consideration.
The draft plan is available at http://engage.bayswater.wa.gov.au/bayswater-town-centre-structure-plan.
Hard copies will be available at the civic centre, Bayswater Library and One Stop Shop at The Rise.
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