The Town of Claremont organised a presentation by the Property Council of Australia on their research report recently launched titled Transforming Perth. This research was done in partnership with the Australian Urban Design Research Centre and Senator Scott Ludlam of The Australian Greens.
Myself, Crs Clements, Rowe and Potter attended this briefing.
It was held at the soon to be demolished Claremont footy club rooms. The demolition and proposed development has been DAPped (a new expression I’ve been using when developments have been changed and approved through the DAP process!). The Councillors I spoke with said that they were unsure of what the specifics will ultimately look like because of the DAP intervention process. The obvious question here is what do Councillors tell ratepayers or other councillors like me asking questions about the proposed new build? (Only the DAP know – unelected and unaccountable for their decision).
This report is my version of the presentation. Other Councillors may have their own they wish to share.
As part of the introduction the Deputy Mayor of Claremont took a swipe at the Property Council’s lack of prioritisation for previously cancelling the meeting, and its role in promoting amalgamation referencing the headlines in The Post – “Get rid of the Cottesloes”, 20 July 2013, p.1.
The aim of the research was to infill some of the existing transport routes and reduce the need for more urban sprawl. The 40 year Corridor Plan is passed its use by date for sprawling suburbia. Enough already.
Seven major roads were identified:
Using Directions 2031 the research identified that 100% of the population infill targets could be achieved in Fremantle, Nedlands, Vincent, Claremont and South Perth using R80 infill, ref p.25. If medium-high R100-R120 was used, the entire infill could be achieved at Belmont and Victoria Park.
The types of infill development to meet the proposed 327,618 number of dwellings with 2.6 people per dwelling have these features:
The main transport streets would require a significant overhaul from one storey buildings to four or five storeys. The plans involve these streets becoming highly liveable and attractive High Streets. It will require commitment from State Govt to establish an Integrated Design Commission based on the recommended South Australian model.
The planning criteria would include preservation of heritage, high quality design, provision of affordable and diverse housing, and sustainable and environmental performance.
Density bonuses and incentives would be provided to achieve the discontinuance of non-conforming uses, heritage protection, affordable housing, diversity including aged or dependent person dwellings, amalgamation of lots, high energy efficiency and best practice design for liveability – to be an instructive reference for local govt town planning schemes.
Public transport to play a key role in the development of a High Street/Activity Corridor. Development of more sophisticated descriptions of road-types and use would be required.
Comments from questions:
To read more of the report: http://www.propertyoz.com.au/wa/library/MSC041%20PAC%20State%20Gov%20Report%2028pp%20A4%20r9%20LR.pdf