An $8 million plan to build four fast-food outlets and a liquor store in Alkimos, which would have included a drive-through Nando’s, looks set to be scrapped in favour of a major home goods and appliance store.
Developer Switches Gears
Despite the plans being formally approved by State planners last November, developer Satterley Property Group is now seeking approval for a new Harvey Norman store at the same location, valued at $15 million. The site is on Romeo Road in Alkimos, near the northern end of the Mitchell Freeway.
If approved and built, the Alkimos Harvey Norman retail outlet would become the fifth in Perth’s northern suburbs, joining City West, Osborne Park, Malaga and Joondalup, and the 21st to open in WA.
Details of the Proposed Store
Plans for the development also include 163 parking bays, associated signage, and about 11 per cent of the site dedicated to landscaping, including 68 trees. The developers are seeking approval for the store to operate Mondays to Fridays 8am to 9pm, Saturdays from 8am to 5pm, and Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 5pm.
Town planners acting on behalf of the applicant said in a report the proposal complied with the relevant planning rules and regulations and was suitable for the site. “The proposal represents a well-sited and designed development that balances the operational requirements of the businesses with access and interface considerations,” they said. “The subject site is suitably sized and positioned to accommodate the scale of development associated with the proposed land uses.”
Access and Previous Plans
Access to the store’s carpark is proposed via a left-in-only crossover on Romeo Road, as well as two full-movement access points on Longnor Parkway and Pateley Street. The previously approved development at the site was also expected to include a Guzman y Gomez restaurant and a drive-through Thirsty Camel liquor store, with 94 carparking bays across the precinct.
The fast-food precinct proposal received 109 objections and only 45 submissions in support during public consultation on the project last year.
Nearby Developments Unaffected
An $18 million development plan also by Satterley to build what is expected to be a Bunnings warehouse and an Officeworks store, with 415 carparking bays, across the road from the proposed Harvey Norman site is not expected to be affected by the new proposal.
Public consultation on the Harvey Norman development application is now open through the City of Wanneroo until July 8, before the Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel makes a decision on the proposal at a later date.
