An artist’s impression of the development.
Camera IconAn artist’s impression of the development. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Karrinyup: DAP approves 7-storey apartment complex

Laura PondStirling Times

A DEVELOPER has gained approval to add an extra three storeys to a Karrinyup apartment complex.

Owner AMP Capital originally sought to build a four-storey residential and commercial building at the north-east corner of the Karrinyup Shopping Centre site, on Davenport Street and Francis Avenue, as part of its redevelopment of the centre.

In May, it applied to the Metro North-West Development Assessment Panel to increase the height from four to seven storeys, representing an additional 5.6m, and number of apartments from 57 to 94.

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Francis Avenue resident Allan Maus was disappointed by the approval believed the panel process was “pretty opaque” and not accommodating to community members.

“I don’t like the seven storeys right up against street level,” he said.

“And I think parking is going to be a bigger problem than they think.”

Fellow resident Arnold Davies was one of two speakers against the proposal at the meeting and did not believe the height fit with the surrounding residences.

A report by the City of Stirling acknowledged homes on Davenport and Francis were one and two-storey but found the height was compatible with the shopping centre and proposed eight-storey residential building along Burroughs Road.

It also noted it did not achieve the required 15m setback, which the applicant said was impossible because the depth of the site facing Davenport was 18m.

The City supported the application despite 49 objections submitted during public consultation, representing 86 per cent of all responses.

Key issues were increased traffic and congestion, excessive height of development and loss of privacy to adjoining homes.

Main Roads and the City differed in traffic assessments, with the former requesting a condition requiring the upgrade of the Karrinyup Road and Francis, which the City believed would restrict access to Gwelup Street with left-turn only allowed for entry and exit.

This triggered a separate report provided by the WA Planning Commission, which recommended approval with the intersection upgrade.

The applicant’s reason for the height increase was to screen the shops from the road and argued the additional units would not have a detrimental affect on neighbours.

The five-member panel, which included Stirling councillors David Boothman and Giovanni Italiano, unanimously supported the increase.

Developer Blackburne has four years to start the development, which includes 153 resident parking bays, two commercial buildings on Davenport and a landscaped communal open space area.