New $23.5m Maida Vale Shopping Centre set to get green light

West Australian

2 days ago

A development proposal for a $23.5 million neighbourhood shopping centre in Maida Vale is expected to get the green light from State planning officials today, despite opposition from the City of Kalamunda.
Officers from the WA Planning Commission have recommended the application be approved, pointing to strong community backing and the project's potential economic benefits.
The centre is set to include a Woolworths, BWS liquor store , 13 speciality retailers, a gym and medical centre, and 252 parking bays.
It will be built on vacant land near the corner of Kalamunda Road and Midland Road, directly south of the Hillview Public Golf Course.
The speciality retail spaces could be used for restaurants, cafes, fast-food outlets, shops, offices, lunch bars or consulting rooms.
However, as the site is zoned for a nursery/special garden centre under the City of Kalamunda's planning scheme, the city has recommended the current proposal not be approved.
It argues it conflicts with State and local planning frameworks, would circumvent orderly and proper planning, and poses traffic and road safety concerns.
But developers believe the site is ideal for the development.
'The proposed Woolworths-anchored shopping centre has been thoughtfully designed to positively contribute to the Maida Vale locality and provide an exciting new community village with a diversity of goods and services being provided across a multi-level design,' developers stated in a planning report.
'The proposed development will provide greatly improved access to convenience shopping facilities and essential services in the immediate locality, for the benefit of the local community.'
They also believe the project will support the local economy by creating around 245 jobs throughout construction and 233 permanent positions once operational.
The site is owned by Activ Foundation Inc., a WA disability services provider, which has worked in conjunction with Devwest Group, a property development company, to manage the proposal.
During community consultation early last year, the response from locals was relatively positive.
A total of 270 public submissions were received, with 43.7 per cent supportive of the proposal, 24.4 per cent supportive with suggested changes, and 31.9 per cent not supportive.
Officers from the WA Commission, who are part of the panel that will make a decision on the proposal on Thursday, don't believe the city's concerns justify refusal.
'On balance and noting the high level of community support of the proposal, it is considered that approval of the application, despite its current zoning under (local and State planning policies), would be consistent with orderly and proper planning and would not adversely affect the amenity of the locality,' WAPC officers said in a report.
'As required by the (City of Kalamunda's) Activity Centres Strategy, the proposal is supported by a retail sustainability assessment that demonstrates the proposed development will not adversely impact on the High Wycombe South District Activity Centre or neighbourhood and local centres in the locality. '
As part of the planned development conditions, upgrades and infrastructure improvements to the Kalamunda Road/Midland Road intersection would be required.
If approved, the developers have requested a 24-month period to commence construction and expect construction to take 18 months.