Armadale residents have until Saturday, February 21 to have their say about a six-storey affordable and social housing proposal within the Kelmscott district centre, according to Development WA (DWA).
Of the 65 proposed multiple dwellings, 50 would be allocated as affordable dwellings with the remaining 15 for social housing.
DWA said the six-storey building would feature 31 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments and 34 two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments.
The department said the building would be located on vacant land between Albany Highway and the Armadale railway line.
“The site is generally flat and features a number of medium to large trees concentrated on the southern portion of the site, near the southern boundary to the adjacent KFC,” DWA said.
“The development will retain the significant trees on the site.”
Kelmscott Progress Network co-founder Chris Kirkby said the development was unlikely to be stopped so it was important for residents to make constructive submissions to DWA.
“I think irrespective of our individual views, it will be going ahead,” he said.
“So, it’s really important that we get the most out of it.”
Mr Kirkby said it was clear there were varied community views about the proposal.
“A key topic raised recently is whether contractual or strata conditions could be applied to help manage things like excessive balcony hoarding or inappropriate window coverings, such as foil,” he said.
“Another issue raised is there isn’t any retail or commercial space.
“While additional amenities like cafés could place pressure on the great coffee shops we already have, flexible retail or community space may allow opportunities in the future.”
DWA said once construction was complete, the building would be sold to a community housing provider (CHP), who would be responsible for the site’s operation and maintenance.
Mr Kirkby said some residents raised concerns about the future management of the building.
“We have brought this up with DWA and they have made it clear there will be a community housing provider on a full-time basis to ensure they can track and monitor what’s going on,” he said.
The DWA development application report said the proposal was part of the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund, which aimed to deliver 20,000 new social and 20,000 new affordable housing across Australia over five years from 2024.
Applicants who applied for affordable rental accommodation would need to meet the requirements under the HAFF program.
The maximum income for a single is $66,898, $100,347 for a couple and $140,486 for a family with dependent children, according to the program’s income eligibility thresholds for the 2025-26 financial year.
“Tenants are allocated through the Department of Communities public housing waitlist or the joint waitlist,” the report said.
“To be placed on the waitlist, residents must meet stipulated eligibility criteria, with the process administered by the Department of Housing and Works.”
The DWA report said elected City of Armadale members received the proposal well but were concerned about the retention of an existing dead tree on the western boundary of the site.
“The project team investigated opportunities to alter both the boundary realignment and the building footprint on the site in order to retain the old dead tree,” the report said.
“The elected member feedback has been reflected in the proposed design and the proposal now maintains the old dead tree.”
Submissions can be made through the DWA have your say form, by emailing planning@developmentwa.com.au or via post to DWA’s office.
