Metro West JDAP approve plans to build an Aldi at Captain Stirling Centre

PLANS to demolish the Captain Stirling Centre IGA and build a new Aldi as well as six leasable shops were approved by Metro West JDAP on Wednesday.

JDAP members, City of Nedlands Mayor Max Hipkins and Cr Nigel Shaw voted unanimously to approve the construction of the $10 million Urbis Pty Ltd development along Stirling Highway.

Councillors agreed at a meeting last month to recommend JDAP approve the development, if predicted traffic concerns, including the possible increase in traffic and impact on road and pedestrian safety, were addressed.

Main Roads WA received a copy of the development earlier this year and had no objections.

However, Mr Hipkins said Main Roads was looking at carpark access points at the centre.

“Main Roads is doing work on alternative access points and potential traffic lights at Stanley Street,” he said.

Cr Shaw said there could be a potential connection between Dalkeith Road and Florence Road.

“It just means instead of everyone coming from Florence Road they could use Dalkeith Road which is the alternative,” he said.

Mr Hipkins said the City had not yet received an answer from Main Roads yet.

Urbis director Tim Dawkins told the JDAP panel it was “frustrating” they were being treated differently because they were developing a retail complex.

“They’re simply a shop but I do understand traffic needs to be dealt with,” he said.

“Traffic issues are that, but without Stirling Highway the site doesn’t exist.

“The highway will have to cope with it, and Main Roads and the West Australian Planning Commission have the same view,” he said.

The restaurant and three shops, independent of Aldi, would face Florence Road and Stirling Highway.

The proposal also included the construction of a basement carpark with 90 bays, including two disabled bays, and vehicle access from Florence Road.

Transcore completed a traffic study collecting data that proved traffic would be moderate if the development was approved.

“Traffic will not be significant if existing development is fully leased,” Transcore’s Vladimir Baltic said.

“Less than 100 vehicles per hour are deemed a moderate level of impact.

“The benefits of the development include more onsite parking, it has removed the supermarket from the streets and the proposal is in line with council objectives.”