Developers take Planning Commission decision to Administrative Tribunal
LOS ANGELES: The developer for a proposed baby boomer enclave is to escalate a planning a refusal through the appeals process.
The owners of the Warwick Quarter proposal, Silkchime Pty Ltd, which is headed by Norm Carey, have now taken their case to the State Administrative Tribunal to challenge the WAPC’s decision.
The SAT is an independent body that reviews government decisions, handles disputes, and can make legally binding rulings, which means the WAPC’s refusal decision could potentially be overturned.
During a lengthy meeting, the project was refused on December 4 last year, after strong opposition from the local community, council, and a recommendation of refusal by the State Planning Department’s assessment unit.
Silkchime, working with town planning and urban design group Rowe Group, had been seeking to construct 1,042 apartments across seven towers on a 1.657-hectare vacant block immediately north of Warwick Grove Shopping Centre.
The towers would have ranged from seven to 25 storeys and would also have included 574 sqm of commercial floor space and 1,510 basement parking bays.
However, since the plans were first made public, the project has faced widespread opposition, with 67 per cent opposed from the 1,428 submissions made during consultation, and the City of Joondalup also formally objected to the proposal.
During last month’s WAPC determination, the applicants had sought to split the development, seeking approval for some towers while deferring the rest; however, the commission dismissed the request, rejecting the proposal in full.
The WAPC commissioners determined that the proposal failed to demonstrate a cohesive and integrated layout, lacked coordination within the precinct, would compromise integration with the surrounding Joondalup community, and was inconsistent with the City of Joondalup Local Planning Scheme.
They also found the proposal ‘does not provide adequate amenity for existing and future residents and visitors to the Warwick Activity Centre.’
During last month’s meeting, WA Planning Commission chairwoman Emma Cole described the Warwick Quarter proposal as ‘problematic’ but encouraged the developers to continue exploring alternative housing plans for the site.
“This is a secondary centre. Infill housing is absolutely needed. Affordable housing is needed, but unfortunately, it’s a lack of consideration of (a range of issues) that shows that this is problematic development as proposed,” Ms Cole said.
“I strongly encourage the applicant to continue to work on this site. We do want to see housing in this location and development.”
A directions hearing with Silkchime and the WAPC is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, where a SAT member will identify the issues in dispute and plan how the application will proceed.