Artist’s impressions of Aegis Aged Care Group’s proposed facility in Alkimos.
Camera IconArtist’s impressions of Aegis Aged Care Group’s proposed facility in Alkimos. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Alkimos nursing home development to go ahead after emergency access issues resolved

Laura PondNorth Coast Times

AN Alkimos nursing home will go ahead after alternative options for emergency access were found.

The Metro North-West Joint Development Assessment Panel deferred its decision on Aegis Aged Care Group’s $25 million Magellan Road development on September 1 to allow the applicant and City of Wanneroo time to investigate options for bushfire emergency access.

The City had originally recommended refusing the application because the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) deemed the bushfire management plan (BMP) unacceptable as there was only one access road to the site.

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It then recommended approval in a report presented at the panel’s September 27 meeting, after the applicant provided a concept plan with two options for temporary emergency access ways – one through the road reserve at the end of Leeway Loop, which the City preferred, and the other through Gangway Park.

The latter was the preference for DFES, despite not endorsing the bushfire management plan.

The report acknowledged the concerns from DFES but said these were issues for the whole area east of Marmion Avenue, not just the subject site.

“Given the BMP is not able to be compliant until land to the north and south is developed, which is out of the applicant and landowners control, the provision of a temporary EAW (emergency access way) will result in improved access in the event of an emergency, and is considered to provide for a better outcome for the wider area and residents,” it said.

Planning Solutions director Tayne Evershed presented on behalf of the owner and agreed, believing it was a structure plan issue.

“The need (for emergency access) is shared by the development and school and 300 houses,” he said.

Panel members approved the development but made various changes to the conditions, including to ensure the access way is provided prior to development occupation to the City’s satisfaction, making costs of construction of four on-street parking bays and relocation of a pedestrian crossing the landowner’s responsibility and adding an advice note to make the parking area around the central courtyard safer for pedestrians.

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