BAYSWATER council struck “balance” between heritage and height in the King William core before recommending the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) approve the Bayswater Town Centre Structure Plan.
The plan, which started in 2015, was put on hold until the State Government announced its concept plans for the $86.2 million upgrade of the train station.
WAPC can adopt the plan with no modifications, make its own modifications or refuse the plan.
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READ NOWAt last night’s committee meeting, 16 residents made deputations about the plan, which considered built form, land use, access and movement, public open space and community infrastructure.
Future Bayswater members were pushing for a “high street” on King William Street and Hill Street with a higher residential code than R60, which allowed four storeys, and increased tree canopy.
Bayswater Deserves Better member Tessa Hopkins said the heritage buildings were the “beating heart of the town centre” and needed to be retained.
Other residents expressed the need for something to happen in Bayswater, as it fell behind precincts in Maylands, Bassendean, Belmont, Shenton Park and Cannington.
The council voted 9-2 to recommend approval, with Mayor Dan Bull’s amended setback requirements for R60 properties behind Bendigo Bank, including R60 properties having a minimum street setback of 4m or nil for the first two storeys and 3m for the third and fourth storeys.
The City will also investigate adding more places in the King William core precinct and/or designating the precinct a heritage area as part of the City’s Municipal Heritage Inventory review.
Cr Elli Petersen-Pik’s amendment to have nil minimum street setbacks for the first two storeys and 3m above the first two storeys in the commercial precinct was also passed.
Cr Brent Fleeton and Catherine Ehrhardt voted against it.
The council adopted an implementation plan consisting of 21 actions including amending Town Planning Scheme No.24, design guidelines, upgrade physical appearances of retail shops and investigate traffic calming measures.
City officers will also investigate building a bus interchange area on Public Transport Authority land near the station.
Cr Bull said the council was creating an opportunity for Bayswater.
“You don’t need 15 storeys to create a vibrant centre,” he said.
“It seeks balance between ensuring existing dwellings aren’t negatively impacted in terms of their amenity while also ensuring that a developer’s yield is not adversely affected.
“The market can create a really awesome precinct that protects the character of the area and increases density and a place where people where people want to live, play and work and also enjoy other areas within the district.”
Cr Fleeton said he did not support the 10-year plan which did not progress to a “meaningful height” to take advantage of the State Government’s investment for the train station.
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