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City of Wanneroo knocks back move to limit area to single storey seniors housing

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

A BID to restrict redevelopment near central Wanneroo to single storey seniors housing has been knocked back.

The Wanneroo council recently supported a staff recommendation to refuse the request, which had been put forward at this year’s electors’ AGM.

That motion asked the City to set aside 46 privately owned properties in a 4.2ha block for a single storey complex suitable for an ageing population.

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Lindsay Van Aken, who moved the original motion, said there was a “large number of elderly folk” living there and they wanted to protect their lifestyle as the area was redeveloped.

The subject area, bounded by Leach Road, Crisafulli Road, Frederick Street and Hastings Street, currently has 38 single dwellings and 21 grouped dwellings with a split density code of R20/R60.

Lot layout of the requested aged housing precinct.
Camera IconLot layout of the requested aged housing precinct. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Saint Peter’s Anglican Church is also located in the block and Wanneroo Sports and Social Club sits across the road.

According to the May council report, it was located within the Wanneroo local housing precinct where an increase in residential density and housing choice was encouraged.

It said the local housing strategy envisaged a mix of single, grouped and multiple dwellings for the precinct to achieve the R60 density and the standard double storey building height limits applied in the subject area.

“The subject site is very well suited for the development of aged and dependent persons’ dwelling given its location, topography and zoning,” it said.

“The request to restrict double storey construction may reduce the number of aged housing units that could be provided on a development site.

“Limiting development to single storey or grouped dwellings only could result in a lost opportunity to promote high density in close proximity to the Wanneroo town centre.”

The report said double storey buildings suitable for older people were common across Australia and best practice encouraged designs that could meet the mobility requirements of residents.

Asked whether multi-storey developments could be allowed beside existing single storey homes, planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson said they could if the plans met R-code and planning policy requirements.

Mr Dickson said each application would be assessed on its merits, regardless of whether other multi-unit developments had already been approved nearby.

The council resolved that there was sufficient scope within the existing residential zone for development of housing that suited older and dependent people.

Housing strategy change relates to bus routes

At the same meeting, the council agreed to amend its local housing strategy in relation to high frequency bus routes.

According to that council report, the existing strategy said high frequency was two services per hour, which was at odds with the four referred to in State Planning Policy 3.1.

The change to four services affected a clause that requires R60 zoned development to be within 250m of high frequency bus route stops.

The strategy covers infill development sites in central Wanneroo, Girrawheen and Koondoola, Quinns Rocks, Yanchep and Two Rocks.

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