Scarborough twin towers proposal back on the cards after developers scale back
Updated
Controversial plans for two high-rise towers in Scarborough have taken a step forward after developers agreed to reduce the size of one of the towers and cut the number of proposed hotel rooms and apartments.
The project, put forward by Chinese-backed developers 3 Oceans, would see two mixed-use residential and hotel accommodation towers of 43 and 33 storeys high built on the waterfront, on Scarborough Beach Road near the main beach.
The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) initially rejected a proposed $400 million plan, which included two towers — one of 43 storeys and another of 35 storeys — over concerns it was a significant overdevelopment of the site.
It found the building was "of excessive bulk and scale that is inconsistent with the established and intended built form and character of the area".
But after a new proposal was put forward which cut the number of apartments and hotel rooms — the sale of which nets developers a significant part of their return on mixed-use projects — the development is looking more likely.
The new proposal, submitted on Monday, will see the number of hotel rooms reduced from 158 to 118, and apartments from 346 to 314.
It also cuts the height of the second tower from 38 storeys to 33.
The new proposal will also include 100 public parking bays, a "WA coastal experience Centre", an observation deck with art gallery and restaurant/café and retail and food outlets covering almost 3,000 metres square.
A report prepared for the MRA's Scarborough Land Redevelopment Committee — which aims to represent community and local government experts on development decisions — has now recommended it tell the MRA to grant development approval of the revised plans.
The project is associated with Chinese steel tycoon Ma Xibo, whose Hebei Qianjin steel group is the majority owner of 3 Oceans Property.
It also had backing from a Singapore-based investment group Hong Rong.
Despite the revisions, the proposal remains non-compliant with the area's planning framework which limits the height of buildings to 18 storeys.
The Scarborough Land Redevelopment Committee is set to meet again to consider the report before the end of this month.
If the board again rejects the proposal, 3 Oceans can continue to pursue a review of the decision in the State Administrative Tribunal.
The State Government has committed $100 million to redevelopment of the formerly run-down Scarborough foreshore, building a new beachside pool, skate facilities, playground and play space for families.
Topics: urban-development-and-planning, community-and-society, environment, oceans-and-reefs, wa, perth-6000
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