Fini Group has submitted a local development plan for the north-eastern portion of the Two Rocks town centre.
Camera IconFini Group has submitted a local development plan for the north-eastern portion of the Two Rocks town centre. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Two Rocks: proposed retirement complex attracts number of objections

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

OBJECTIONS to a proposed retirement complex in Two Rocks focused on the maximum building height, loss of vegetation, land use and preference for commercial uses.

The City of Wanneroo received 18 submissions on Fini Group’s local development plan for part of its town centre landholding, and 15 of those submissions objected to the proposal.

A report due to be considered by the council on Tuesday night said the developer wanted to build a retirement village on the north-eastern portion of the site, with public open space around the King Neptune statue.

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The King Neptune statue.
Camera IconThe King Neptune statue. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

“The development will range from one to five storeys,” the May council report said.

Although several submitters objected to the five-storey maximum, the report said that was permitted under residential design codes for R60-R80 areas.

However, it said the applicant had agreed to recode the area next to Sovereign Drive to R20-R30, allowing a two-storey maximum opposite the existing single-storey houses.

Some submissions said a retirement village would not activate the town centre, but the City’s administration said it was permitted on the mixed use site.

“Two Rocks is a district centre where we should be encouraging and promoting higher densities,” planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson said.

“We hope that this will be a catalyst for further development.”

Mr Dickson said recommended the council approve the plan with a condition to identify and keep vegetation worthy of retention.

The plan includes a public park linking Enterprise and Lisford avenues, which would contain some of the former Atlantis Marine Park sculptures, and a drainage site where mature palm trees could be retained.

Fini Group is proposing to develop its landholding in staged precincts, with other commercial uses viable on the remaining sections.

Submissions listed in the council report

“Two Rocks has an increasing number of young families and a retirement village is at the detriment of the area and residents. The site should be utilised for restaurants, cafes and shopping centres.”

“Two Rocks already has a vast area of cleared land and this site should not be cleared. This site should be developed for community purposes.”

“The site should be developed as a tourist park. There is an existing retirement village within close proximity and therefore a second is not needed.”

“The height is excessive and will affect the amenity of the site. Land could be better used expanding the marina and creating jobs.”

“Would have preferred something to attract tourists however accepts the idea of a retirement village as an asset for local business.”

“Single storey clusters of villas would be more appropriate as to link with the vision of Two Rocks. The site should keep both the topography and vegetation from the Atlantis days. Public open space should be included along with a ‘sculpture walk’.”

“A town centre should be vibrant, uplifting, fun, cultural and exciting. A retirement village will not provide this. A retirement village will put more pressure on the medical centres.”

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