A proposal for a nine-storey affordable housing development featuring 72 social and affordable apartments in the Bayswater town centre is now open for public feedback.
Community Housing Limited has submitted plans for a $32 million to $36 million redevelopment of 7-11 King William Street, supported by funding from the Federal Government's Housing Australia Future Fund and the State Government.
The apartments will be evenly divided between one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, situated above 150 square metres of commercial space. The applicant states this design aims to activate the street frontage.
Planning documents highlight that the project seeks to address housing demand while capitalising on the site's proximity to public transport, shops, and community facilities. "The subject site is ideal for a community housing development of this nature," the plans note.
The site lies within the Bayswater activity centre, a short walk from Bayswater Station, which services the Midland, Ellenbrook, and Airport railway lines.
The development will reach approximately 31 metres in height and include 24 car parking bays, motorcycle parking, bicycle storage, communal spaces for residents, and landscaping. Ground-floor plans feature commercial tenancies and residential amenities.
A mature jacaranda tree will be removed and relocated, with an additional 20 trees to be planted across the site. Planners indicate that over 27 per cent of the development area will be dedicated to deep soil and planted landscaping.
Existing buildings on the site, including two heritage-listed properties at 9 and 11 King William Street, will be demolished. A heritage impact statement submitted with the application states both buildings are in poor condition, have undergone substantial alterations over time, and possess limited heritage significance.
The statement concludes that demolition would have minimal impact on the area's heritage value, but archival recording and interpretation measures must be completed before demolition proceeds.
The proposal notes that design changes were made following consultations with DevelopmentWA and the City of Bayswater. These changes include reduced overshadowing, the addition of commercial tenancies at street level, and communal spaces on each floor to encourage resident interaction.
Community feedback on the project closes on June 18 and can be submitted online. If approved, construction could begin later this year.
