Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has launched a scathing attack on state planning authorities, accusing them of turning a deaf ear to community concerns as a controversial 20-storey Floreat development appears headed for approval.
The $80 million project, proposed for the intersection of Oceanic and Stephenson streets, would see the quiet suburban area transformed with a towering residential complex featuring 119 apartments across its 20 levels.
Community Voices Drowned Out
Local residents have mounted significant opposition to the development, with 147 formal objections submitted against the proposal. Concerns range from the building's overwhelming scale to potential traffic chaos and overshadowing of neighbouring properties.
"The community is being ignored," Zempilas declared in an emotional statement. "When you've got that many people raising legitimate concerns, you would hope the planning system would listen."
JDAP Set to Override Local Concerns
The Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP), responsible for making the final decision, has received a recommendation from its own officers to approve the development with certain conditions. This comes despite the City of Perth's consistent opposition to the project's scale and design.
Zempilas expressed his frustration at the apparent inevitability of the approval process. "It feels like the decision has already been made before the community even gets to have its say," he told local media.
Developer Defends Vision
The development, spearheaded by Edge Visionary Living, promises to deliver luxury apartments with premium amenities while activating what they describe as an "underutilised" corner of Floreat. Developers argue the project aligns with state government policies promoting density near activity centres.
However, residents counter that 20 storeys is completely out of character for an area dominated by single and double-storey homes, with many fearing this decision will set a dangerous precedent for future developments across Perth's western suburbs.
The final decision now rests with JDAP, with the community watching closely to see if their concerns will be heard or if the tower will rise regardless of local opposition.
