Victoria Park council advised to oppose development of 16-storey Carlisle tower

Victoria Park town staff have voiced their disapproval over plans for a high-rise building just metres from a Carlisle train station, slamming the building as a “poor design”.

The $26.7 million proposed development — which would be at 167 and 169 Bank Street, metres from the Oats Street station — would have a 16-storey tower, 85 dwellings and a ground floor tenancy.

But according to a staff report, the site currently prohibits the development of multiple dwellings, and the town’s local planning policy allows a maximum of two storeys.

Town staff are also concerned the development — which has been put forward by applicant Rowe Group to be considered by the State Development Assessment Unit— would “prejudice” the area’s future character and could place a “greater financial burden” on the town to upgrade its public infrastructure.

“Economic activity generated by the development is not considered to offset the negative impacts that would result from the approval of this development,” the staff report reads.

“Development of this scale will always generate economic activity ... (but) such economic activity does not ‘as-a-right’ automatically justify either poor design, adverse amenity impacts, departures from the planning framework and orderly and proper planning.

“’Housing affordability’ shouldn’t be used to justify departures from the planning framework which deliver poor design outcomes.”

Town staff have recommended the council next week advise the WA Planning Commission it did not support the development application.

According to Rowe Group, the development would deliver a “significant, ongoing benefit” to the WA economy, with 90 full-time construction jobs, housing for 136 residents and up to $34 million over the construction phase.

“The proposed development will deliver one of the first high-density developments surrounding the Metronet stations; thereby providing an example of high-quality, transit-oriented development in proximity to established retail, hospitality and community facilities, which delivers the critical mass needed to support the State’s Metronet vision,” the application reads.

At an agenda briefing earlier this week, Cr Peter Devereux requested town staff create a guideline that would be taken into account if the recommendation was not agreed to by the SDAU.

Mayor Karen Vernon also asked town staff to consider proposing conditions to “incentivise the applicant” so they were not deterred by the fact officers were recommending the project not be approved.

“If it’s not going to be improved, we’re trying to show that we’re open to encouraging development, potentially in a different way than they have been looking at,” she said.

Earlier this year, the SDAU advertised the proposed development for community consultation.

Of the 59 submissions, almost 46 per cent of respondents were in support of the development.