WA Planning Minister John Day announced the approval of a planning scheme amendment that will allow a 16-storey development on the site of the former Pavilion Markets in Subiaco.
The amendment will also ensure any development on the corner of Roberts and Rokeby roads will include public arcades, food and beverage outlets and short stay hotel rooms and apartments, with a focus on street activation and high-quality design outcomes.
Mr Day said the site was an important asset to Subiaco and a prime location for a quality, high-density development that would attract more people to the area.
“The Pavilion site’s proximity to the Subiaco train station, retail, job opportunities and the CBD make it a prime candidate for a development of this kind,” he said.
“Subiaco is a strategically important suburb in the inner city area that can accommodate a significant local population. It is a suburb that is changing and developments such as the one proposed on this site will attract people to the area and assist in its rejuvenation.
“I am satisfied this amendment is appropriate for the area and will complement Subiaco’s unique character.”
This site’s future has been uncertain since the City of Subiaco rejected the proposed scheme amendment in 2011. The Minister directed the city to initiate the amendment under Section 76 of the Planning and Development Act 2005 in June 2013.
The Minister said appropriate medium and high-density developments close to public transport and key economic infrastructure were a central platform of the State Government’s planning policy, Directions 2031 and Beyond.
“This amendment is a successful example of the Western Australian planning system in action,” he said. “The Government is enabling a diversity of housing options by encouraging urban infill and transit-oriented developments in appropriate locations. Sometimes this means height but never at the expense of quality design or the character of the local area.”
The developer is now required to submit a development application to the City of Subiaco.
