Latest news with #Urbis
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Luxury western suburbs retreat hits major setback
Plans for a luxury day spa and wellness retreat on the Dalkeith riverfront have stalled, with developers asking for four more years just to make a start on the ambitious $25 million Tawarri Hot Springs project. It took a long and sometimes bitter battle with the City of Nedlands and State Government intervention to get the hot springs facility approved in 2023, but a two-year deadline to begin construction expires next week without substantial work commencing. The developers blamed soaring construction costs for the delay and the reason for requesting more time to start. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'Labour shortages (and) supply chain issues have increased development cost and undermined the delivery of the Tawarri Hot Springs,' read a letter from Urbis planning consultant Tim Dawkins. 'Price increases have affected nearly every aspect of the construction.' Mr Dawkins said the cost to build the facility in 2025 had nearly doubled to $45 million from the $25m price tag estimated two years ago. Claremont Hotel proprietor and FJM Property principal Barry Jones is spearheading the wellness retreat dream, which former premier Mark McGowan called a 'strategic tourism attraction' for WA when he endorsed the idea in 2023. The Tawarri dream attracted significant backlash from Dalkeith and Nedlands locals, including another former Premier Richard Court, throughout the approval process. Nedlands Mayor Fiona Argyle told the WA Planning Commission that building it 'robs all West Australians of a magnificent foreshore.' An artist's impressions of the proposed Tawarri Hot Springs wellness centre and spa. Credit: Plus Architecture The luxury spa development would be built on a 5508sqm lot along the Esplanade in place of the Tawarri Function Centre, which has been closed for seven years. Plans show a range of indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, treatment rooms, a rooftop terrace and a licensed restaurant and cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Developers forecast that it would attract 142,000 patrons a year, including 14 per cent from overseas. Public consultation on the request for a time extension closed on Wednesday ahead of the WA Planning Commission decision.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Booragoon shopping centre's reno delayed for years
The WA Planning Commission has approved Scentre Group's request for a four-year extension on Westfield Booragoon shopping centre's mammoth renovation. The $792 million plan to redevelop the shopping centre was approved in 2023 on the condition that substantial commencement be made by February 2025. On Thursday, the substantial commencement deadline was officially extended to February 2029. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Scentre Group claimed the extension was needed due to labour shortages and supply chain issues. 'Builders and key trades continue to confront labour shortages and supply chain issues, which are generating significant cost and delivery uncertainty,' the application prepared by consultant planner Urbis states. 'Due to these extenuating circumstances, the proponent is unable to achieve substantial commencement within the currently specified period.' Speaking on behalf of the developer, Farida Farrag said the four-year extension is a 'realistic estimate' in today's climate. We are excited about our vision for Westfield Booragoon and our plans to create a contemporary retail, dining and entertainment destination for the community. 'Scentre Group have demonstrated a strong commitment to proceed with the development, but for the reasons outlined in our application substantial commencement hasn't been achieved within the two year approval period,' she said. 'The proposal can achieve substantial commencement within the requested timeframe extension to February 2029. 'The requested extension will enable Scentre Group to continue collaborating with the City of Melville, creating a true town centre as envisioned by the Melville City Centre Structure Plan. 'We're seeking no other variations to the balance of approval conditions, approved uses or the approved design which have been proposed within the initial application.' A Scentre Group spokesperson told PerthNow they still intended to turn Westfield Booragoon into a destination shopping centre akin to Karrinyup Shopping Centre and Westfield Carousel. 'We have lodged a request to extend the period of substantial commencement to enable further planning. The development opportunity remains part of our investment pipeline,' the spokesperson said. 'We are excited about our vision for Westfield Booragoon and our plans to create a contemporary retail, dining and entertainment destination for the community.' The existing shopping centre was built more than 50 years ago and was last expanded and refurbished in 1999. An additional 72,500 sqm of shopping space is planned, which if completed would boost Westfield Booragoon to 114,620sqm and give it the bragging rights of WA's largest shopping centre. That title currently belongs to Karrinyup, which has 114,000sqm floor space.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Westfield Booragoon: WA Planning Commission approves four-year extension on renovation commencement
The WA Planning Commission has approved Scentre Group's request for a four-year extension on Westfield Booragoon shopping centre's mammoth renovation. The $792 million plan to redevelop the shopping centre was approved in 2023 on the condition that substantial commencement be made by February 2025. On Thursday, the substantial commencement deadline was officially extended to February 2029. Scentre Group claimed the extension was needed due to labour shortages and supply chain issues. 'Builders and key trades continue to confront labour shortages and supply chain issues, which are generating significant cost and delivery uncertainty,' the application prepared by consultant planner Urbis states. 'Due to these extenuating circumstances, the proponent is unable to achieve substantial commencement within the currently specified period.' Speaking on behalf of the developer, Farida Farrag said the four-year extension is a 'realistic estimate' in today's climate. 'Scentre Group have demonstrated a strong commitment to proceed with the development, but for the reasons outlined in our application substantial commencement hasn't been achieved within the two year approval period,' she said. 'The proposal can achieve substantial commencement within the requested timeframe extension to February 2029. 'The requested extension will enable Scentre Group to continue collaborating with the City of Melville, creating a true town centre as envisioned by the Melville City Centre Structure Plan. 'We're seeking no other variations to the balance of approval conditions, approved uses or the approved design which have been proposed within the initial application.' A Scentre Group spokesperson told PerthNow they still intended to turn Westfield Booragoon into a destination shopping centre akin to Karrinyup Shopping Centre and Westfield Carousel. 'We have lodged a request to extend the period of substantial commencement to enable further planning. The development opportunity remains part of our investment pipeline,' the spokesperson said. 'We are excited about our vision for Westfield Booragoon and our plans to create a contemporary retail, dining and entertainment destination for the community.' The existing shopping centre was built more than 50 years ago and was last expanded and refurbished in 1999. An additional 72,500 sqm of shopping space is planned, which if completed would boost Westfield Booragoon to 114,620sqm and give it the bragging rights of WA's largest shopping centre. That title currently belongs to Karrinyup, which has 114,000sqm floor space.
