Social & Affordable HousingChris ThomsonFri 26 Jun 26
Flip from Private to Social Homes Raises Eyebrows in Inner Perth
Conversion of an eight-storey apartment approval to a social and affordable housing project at Perth’s Mount Hawthorn in the City of Vincent has been recommended for state approval despite attracting more than 300 objections.
To be voted upon by Western Australia’s metro inner development assessment panel on June 30 is a recommendation of approval for an application by Community Housing Investment (WA).
The organisation wants to convert a 2022 approval for an eight-storey apartment building, achieved by former owner Thirty Three Pty Ltd, into a nod for social and affordable housing for a similar-looking building.
The apartments, proposed for the corner of Oxford Street and Anzac Road, had been marketed off the plan by the Subiaco-based Swanline Group, whose managing director is Thirty Three director Paul Trettel.
Now, new owner CHIWA has requested an extra 12 apartments to those previously approved (taking the total to 48), with the mix changing from one, two and three-bedroom units to one and two-bedroom home only.
CHIWA also wants to remove a basement car park and reduce parking from 60 to 29 bays. Under the organisation’s plans, bicycle parking would also be reduced from 36 to 24 and motorcycle parking from five to none.
An approved ground-floor shop tenancy would be replaced by an office associated with CHIWA’s tenancy and property management role.
Seventh-floor apartments would be replaced with a communal area.
Despite the extra apartments, the height of the reconfigured building, designed by Plus Studio, would be reduced from 26.5 to 24.3 metres.
At the conclusion of consultation, 365 submissions were received—25 in support, 326 objecting and 14 having a bet each way.
Objections included concern over anti-social behaviour from occupants of the proposed social and affordable housing and impacts on property values.
The existing approval is due to lapse in September if the development has not started. CHIWA’s application wants to extend the commencement period by four years.
The 1207sq m development site sits across Anzac Road from the locally heritage listed Oxford Hotel and houses two single-storey commercial buildings that would be demolished.
If its $27-million project is approved, the non-profit social and affordable housing provider would be required to cough up $270,000 for public art pursuant to a City of Vincent policy that compels proponents to contribute one per cent of their projects’ value for such aesthetic enhancement.
