Beaufort Street 50-dwelling social housing plans in Inglewood approved by WAPC

A highly contentious 50-dwelling social housing proposal set for Beaufort Street in Inglewood has been approved by the WA Planning Commission, despite the City of Stirling’s rejection of the plans in April and multiple residential deputations presented against the development.

At the WAPC Statutory Planning Committee meeting this morning, residents presented deputations opposing the $22.87 million development.

The main concerns raised included the location of the site not being appropriate, the lack of commercial opportunity on the ground floor, and the social housing aspect - calling for a commitment that the housing be used for over-55-year-old’s.

Managing Director of Spinnaker developments Lucas Berry said that the development is not designed with the appropriate amenities for a over 55’s market - siting that the conditions relating to this make things “challenging” for them.

The panel noted the Department of Communities commitment to the use of the site is for seniors, but making that a forever requirement would deny flexibility for the future use of the site.

Parking shortfall was accepted due to the sites close location to public transport and the assumption that the reliance of private vehicles will decrease in the future.

City of Stirling representatives said a separate development application for the demolition of the existing building, which is in the City’s Heritage Protection Area, is required and has not yet been submitted.

Additional concerns raised by the City included lack of dwelling mix, communal open space, private outdoor living areas, waste services, parking, land use and the active frontage to Beaufort street.

Prior to the approval, Housing for the Aged Action group CEO Fiona York wrote a letter in support of the development but only if it was for aged-care residents, acknowledging the concerns of how the plans are not suitable for aged-care persons.

“City of Stirling have noted that the commitment that the development is for older people is not reflected in the project plans, and they hold concerns that the development may not be dedicated to older people,” she said.

“Allocating a minimum proportion of public and community home to people over 55 years of age recognises the limited earning capacity of older people, and their need for housing security to enable them to age in place, with the health and wellbeing benefits this brings.”

Opposition from local residents to the project stemmed from the recent surge of anti-social behaviour stemming from a social housing complex just off Beaufort Street on Ninth Avenue.

A resident-led online petition to uphold a city recommendation that the proposed housing be restricted to residents over 55 years old has 1278 signatures as of Wednesday morning.

“Inglewood is safe, family oriented and wonderful community to live in,” one resident said.

“Poorly planned and executed State Government policies and actions are destroying the fabric of the area with little accountability and as such protections are required to ensure the debacle of Ninth Avenue is not repeated.”

“A sensible arrangement that includes mutual respect by social housing tenants and the Inglewood community should be the outcome.” another added.

The petition said the “vague terms” used by the State Government in its announcement were not legally enforceable.

At the meeting in April City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said the city recognised the need for social housing and supported proposals that were well-planned and set up to succeed.

“However, this proposal for a complex of 50 social housing units on Beaufort Street is set up to fail,” he said at the time.

The proposal includes demolishing the existing building and replacing it with a four-storey building with 50 social housing dwellings, one two-way vehicular access point on to Wood Street, 26 residential car parking bays, communal areas and landscaping.