40-storey hotel proposed as part of Scarborough foreshore redevelopment

THE longest standing tenant at the Contacio site has welcomed a $400 million, 40-storey hotel development proposal at Scarborough foreshore.

Wayne Bowen, who has owned The Surf Boardroom at the site for 30 years and Cordingley’s Surf beneath the Rendezvous Hotel since 1991, said the majority of the crowd at last night’s information session seemed positive about the move.

Mr Bowen said developer 3 Oceans Property would include public amenities in the development such as a footbridge connecting West Coast Highway to the beachfront area and 300-400 more car bays to offset the current shortfall.

“They spoke about the footbridge connecting the west beach side of West Coast Highway to the east side, which is something quite incredible and would be fantastic for the area and will alleviate traffic issues,” he said.

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“The 300-400 public car bays on the on the east side would take traffic and car parking issues off the beach front on the west side.

“Looking at it all together as a big picture, I sat there and I was watching it and what they were saying made a lot of sense to me.

“I know there will be criticism about the height but at the end of the day if they are going to give something back to the community via the footbridge and carparking bays there had to be some trade off.”

China-owned 3 Oceans Property’s managing director Dyno Zhang said the development would celebrate the area’s identity and deliver new public infrastructure, living and retail options.

“We are very keen to hear from local people about the vision for the site and provide an opportunity for them to provide input, prior to submission of the project’s development application,” he said.

“This is a unique opportunity to be part of a revitalisation process for Scarborough, working with local people as well as planning authorities, and we welcome input from people living and working in the area.”

City of Stirling Mayor Giovanni Italiano said since no development application had been submitted it would not be appropriate for the City to make a comment.

Cr Italiano is a sitting member on the Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP), which will eventually evaluate the plans after the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) makes a comment.

Cr Italiano said there was an 18-storey height limit in the foreshore redevelopment area.

The MRA, the planning authority for the Scarborough Redevelopment area, will consider the planning application.

The MRA has been contacted for comment.