At its meeting today, the Metro Inner-North Joint Development Assessment Panel (DAP) refused a development application which, if approved, would have resulted in demolition of the buildings at 424-428 and 440 Hay Street.
The City received a DAP application for the properties in September 2023 proposing the demolition of the heritage buildings which make a considerable contribution to the Rokeby Road and Hay Street Heritage Area.
The application was inconsistent with the City’s Local Planning Scheme No. 5, the broader planning framework and was not supported by the City’s Design Review Panel, Subiaco Council or City staff.
In December 2023, DAP deferred the decision, but today voted 4-1 to reject the development application in favour of retaining the heritage buildings.
Mayor David McMullen said, “The City of Subiaco has made its position on the Sanur land abundantly clear, many times over.
“Our planning framework can generously accommodate a renewal of this site, and we wish for this potential to be realised. All the developer needed to do was follow the planning framework and preserve the heritage of these buildings.
“Unfortunately, we were served up a low-quality design, characterised by the destruction of real heritage and its replacement with fake replicas.
“The City of Subiaco's long-held position, as based on advice from multiple engineers and as previously accepted by the State Administrative Tribunal, is that the buildings are not moving nor in imminent danger of collapse. As expected, the applicant's representatives asserted things about the structural integrity of the existing heritage buildings, but the panel did not fall for this today.
“We know firsthand the opportunities that good development can unlock; our Council has a track record of supporting good development across our City as part of our ongoing, well-publicised, resurgence and revival.
“Development Assessment Panels ought to bring together the best of local knowledge and specialist expertise to enhance decision making. We called on the DAP to do this by listening to Council; listening to our technical staff; and listening to our community. Today, the DAP listened, and the outcome is a credit to all involved.”
The meeting minutes can be viewed on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website shortly.
Sanur has various ongoing appeals with the State Administrative Tribunal with the City’s case due to be heard in October.
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