CommercialChris ThomsonMon 06 Jul 26
Plan for Perth Parliament Precinct as Billionaire Rinehart Refloats Heliport
Western Australia’s parliamentary precinct is on the move with a draft blueprint released for the area, an office building sold and Australia’s richest person re-lodging plans for a rooftop heliport nearby.
Revised plans have been filed for a heliport atop the recently refurbished headquarters of mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s company Roy Hill Holdings for a site at 53 Ord Street at West Perth, the same suburb as the parliament house.
Rinehart’s company had wanted to fly its Bell 429 chopper across leafy residential areas of West Perth and Subiaco 12 times a year between 7am and 7pm, and land it on the roof of the firm’s HQ.
But the plan was kyboshed in December when the City of Perth, by a margin of six elected members to two, refused the heliport. The city’s planners had earlier advised that the proposal did not demonstrate that noise and vibration could be mitigated.
Under the new plans, the helicopter would instead fly above busy Thomas Street and only between midday and 7pm. Public comment on the revised flightpath and times is due to close on July 29.
Also open for comment, until August 3, is a draft policy for the precinct surrounding the parliament house, which is on Harvest Terrace.
The existing planning policy was adopted in 1983. The WA Planning Commission considers it no longer reflects the way the area is used, planned or managed.
The 18-page draft policy aims to recognise the precinct’s civic, cultural and heritage importance, and provide clearer expectations for development proposals.
Meanwhile, a commercial property across the street from the parliament house has sold for $11.5 million. The 75-per-cent leased, 2192sq m office building occupies a 1696sq m site at 1050-1052 Hay Street and has 56 car bays.
Owning 91 per cent of the building since 1993 was John Blackburne, founder of Blackburne Property. Selling agent, Michael Milne of RWC WA, said Blackburne was an important mentor for him early in his career.
“I started my real estate career at Blackburne and worked alongside John in this very building for more than a decade, so it was a privilege to represent him as part of the sales team,” he said.
Milne said the campaign generated more than 60 enquiries and four expressions of interest. He said the building was sold to a Perth buyer.
