Latest news with #PerthZoo
Perth Now
04-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
REVEALED: The $120 million plan to change Perth's skyline
A $120 million, 23-storey apartment complex in South Perth, featuring a mix of residential apartments, aged-care facility and a restaurant/cafe, is set to transform the local skyline. The proposal has been recommended for approval by the City of South Perth and is set to get the green light from State planning authorities today, despite concerns from local residents about its height and potential impact on the surrounding area. Should the project be approved, it would include 102 residential units, 18 care suites within the aged-care facility, along with medical services designed to support the health and well-being of the aged residents. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The development would feature 12 one-bedroom apartments, 62 two-bedroom apartments and 28 three-bedroom apartments, with four of these being penthouses. The 'L-shaped' lot of the proposed apartments is positioned to the west of Perth Zoo, at the corner of Lyall Street and Labouchere Road in South Perth. The proposal includes a restaurant/cafe on the ground floor. Credit: Supplied The site was initially planned for a 38-storey vertical village featuring 98 luxury apartments but this development was halted due to rising construction costs during the COVID-19 pandemic and was officially cancelled in October 2023. Given its prime location near Perth Zoo and South Perth Bowling Club, Sirona Urban managing director Matthew McNeilly was pleased with the new design, which he believes could cater to a diverse range of home seekers. 'We've put a lot of thought into enabling those who want to downsize to make the absolute most of their later years in accommodation that suits their lifestyle needs, at the same time releasing much-needed existing properties to the market for other families to begin a new generation in the area,' Mr McNeilly said. 'The Lyall Street location is an easy walk to everything: the Swan River foreshore, Mends Street Good Grocer, cafes and restaurants, local medical services, and specialty shops. In addition to the apartments and aged care facility, the development is set to feature a residents' lounge, fitness centre, cinema and pool. The location of the proposal in South Perth. Credit: Supplied However, not everyone is pleased with the proposal. Public consultation was carried out through written notices to 969 neighbouring properties, resulting in 19 formal objections. The most common issues raised in opposition to the development were its height, obstruction of views and concerns over visual privacy. 'This proposal gets an absolute NO from me. It is blocking our last views of the City, is significantly devaluing our home, might well block the sun as well which is decreasing the quality of life in our homes and at the pool,' one neighbouring resident said. 'The proposed development will substantially compromise the privacy of my home and the other residencies of The Sanctuary, including the associated outdoor communal areas,' another said. The 23-storey proposed development is worth $120 million. Credit: Supplied Despite objections from local residents, the City of South Perth concluded the proposal would be suitable for the area. 'The development is of a scale and design which is also broadly consistent with the existing and desired future development within the locality,' the report stated. 'Matters that have the potential to adversely impact the amenity of adjoining residential properties are appropriately addressed through details contained within technical reports and via the recommended conditions of development approval.' One of the conditions set by the city requires the applicant/owner to contribute one per cent of the development's estimated cost towards public art, either through a payment to the City of South Perth, capped at $1 million or by providing public art on-site, as per the city's local planning policies. The Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel is set to make the final decision on the proposal today, Thursday, May 1.
Perth Now
01-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Two new friends join former Perth Zoo elephant Permai in SA
Former Perth Zoo elephant Permai has two new friends who have just made the journey from Taronga Zoo to their new home in Adelaide. Asian elephants Tang Mo and Pak Boon arrived at Adelaide's Monarto Safari Park on Wednesday morning, where they met Permai and Burma. The pair completed their 22-hour mammoth move overnight, settling into their new home for a well-deserved stretch, bath, and snack after unloading. The elephants relocated to meet their social needs. It is hoped the new elephants will bond with Permai, who has been struggling to settle into her new home — so much so, that her and Burma were struggling to get along. Asian Elephants Pak Boon and Tang Mo reunited after their 22-hour journey to Monarto Safari Park Credit: Supplied 'These guys are going to form another social herd, and so they're going to get that extra social behaviour that they need,' Taronga Zoo senior elephant keeper Ian Gleichman said. Permai was moved from Perth Zoo in January following the death of matriarch Tricia in 2022. Tragically, an elephant never forgets. And Perth Zoo acting zoology manager Holly Thompson said Tricia's death had a big impact on Permai, leaving her battling depression. After not having had elephant company for a while, both girls were supported by their dedicated carers. Credit: Perth Zoo / Perth Zoo In March, zookeepers said Permai was still struggling to build a relationship with her enclosure mate but was showing signs of friendship including supporting each other during a storm. Once her integration is complete, Permai will have as much space in her enclosure as the entirety of Perth Zoo. It was a long journey to get Permai to her new home, which involved transporting her in a modified sea container across the Nullarbor over two days. CCTV cameras captured Permai having a good rest in her new elephant barn. Credit: Monarto Safari Park/Perth Zoo / supplied Perth Zoo's final elephant, Putras Mas, will also be moving to Montaro Park later this year, marking the end of the elephant exhibit in WA. The moving of Tang Mo and Pak Boon has marked the end of the elephant exhibit at Taronga Zoo with the space set to make way for a multi-species habitat, which will include Hari the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
