An artist’s impression of the previous 20-storey tower.
Camera IconAn artist’s impression of the previous 20-storey tower. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Panel rejects 20-storey tower again

Aaron CorlettMelville Gazette

A HIGH-RISE development in Applecross that was seeking a 100 per cent height bonus has been rejected for a second time.

The Metro Central Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) knocked back Mustera Property Group’s proposed 20-storey development on the corner of Forbes Road and Kishorn Road during a meeting on Monday, July 1.

The developers were again looking for an additional 10-storeys for the development, which falls within the M-10 area of the Canning Bridge Activity Centre Plan (CBACP) area but allows for discretionary bonus height concessions based on community benefits.

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The vote was closer this time with presiding member Megan Adair joining panel member Rachel Chapman in voting in favour of the development, citing its exemplary design.

Melville councillor Tim Barling and Nicole Robins along with fellow panel member Michael Hardy once again turned down the development, citing that as there was no change to the development they had no reason to reverse their decision.

Mustera Property Group lodged an appeal with the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) following the panel’s original decision in March and SAT then requested the JDAP reconsider its decision.

The panel’s reasons for rejecting the development in March included that it did not provide enough community benefits for a 100 per cent bonus and the site bordered the four-storey H4 zone.

During SAT mediation in May, the developers presented two reports about the development’s interface with the surrounding area and a community benefit analysis.

Among the benefits Mustera proposed were public toilets, a shower, locker, bicycle racks, a publicity accessible garden space, co-working space, 15 short-stay accommodation rooms and the ceding of 125sqm of land to the State Government.

Every third floor of the development was proposed to have a sky garden, with six in total.

At Monday’s meeting, a number of residents objected to the proposed development, citing a lack of community benefits, overshadowing and its impact on the surrounding area.