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Category: Urban Development and Planning / Building and Construction / Tourism

'We need a paradigm shift': Harvey backs Scarborough high-rise

11:03 UTC+8 March 29, 2017 | David Weber

Development firm 3 Oceans Property wants to build the 40-storey high rise on the beachfront. (Supplied: Hillam Architects)

A proposal for a 40-storey twin tower project at Scarborough has received the support of shadow planning minister and local member Liza Harvey.

Chinese group 3 Oceans Property has proposed the development, which would include a four-star hotel, 300 apartments, retail outlets, cafes and up to 400 parking bays, for the corner of West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road.

Mrs Harvey said the proposal included "view corridors" so that coastal vistas would not be disturbed.

"This is a paradigm shift in planning on the coast here, and perhaps we need a paradigm shift," she said.

"I understand people baulking at something that tall on the beachfront because it is very new for Western Australia, however before you start getting bent out of shape about the height of these towers, have a look at what they're proposing.

"If they just develop the site within the existing framework they could've had one big block tower that would've blocked all of the views behind it, all of the neighbouring properties would then be excluded from any sort of ocean view.

"They've also set the site back quite significantly from Scarborough Beach Road, and they've got a big massive ... pedestrian plaza that they're planning on putting on the streetscape."

A glassed-in top deck overlooking the ocean is part of the proposal. Photo: The Scarborough high-rise development proposal includes a viewing gallery on the top deck. (Supplied: Hillam Architects)

Mrs Harvey said the development would also include a walking bridge and public parking.

"That public parking will be enough for a lot of people to basically get across the line, because parking down at the foreshore and traffic congestion is part of the reason the foreshore at Scarborough has never worked," she said.

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) said the guidelines for the suggested site provided for 12 storeys, with an upper limit of 18.

MRA executive director for planning Ryan Keys has suggested 40 storeys was a "high bar to jump".

Mrs Harvey said 3 Oceans Property was testing the concept in the community, and there was an opportunity in any planning scheme for changes.

"Obviously it needs an intervention, probably of the Minister or in this instance, potentially the MRA," she said.

"If the community get on board and like it, I don't see why it would be knocked back."

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