Rejected social housing plans recommended for approval by WAPC, residents ready to rally in objectionSophie GannonPerthNow – CentralWed, 18 June 2025 2:00AM
A highly contentious 50-dwelling social housing proposal set for Beaufort Street in Inglewood has been recommended for approval by the WA Planning Commission, despite the City of Stirling’s rejection of the plans in April.
The city’s objections to the $22.87 million development include design flaws, lack of sufficient outdoor space and its modern design not aligning with the character of the area.
Concerns were also raised over the State Government announcement that the development was only “earmarked” for seniors.
At the time Stirling councillor David Lagan said the project should not be used for any other purpose other than aged person dwellings.
Opposition from local residents to the project stems from the recent surge of anti-social behaviour stemming from a social housing complex just off Beaufort Street on Ninth Avenue.
A resident-led online petition to uphold a city recommendation that the proposed housing be restricted to residents over 55 years old currently had 1258 signatures as of Monday morning.
“Inglewood is safe, family oriented and wonderful community to live in,” one resident said.
“Poorly planned and executed State Government policies and actions are destroying the fabric of the area with little accountability and as such protections are required to ensure the debacle of Ninth Avenue is not repeated.”
“A sensible arrangement that includes mutual respect by social housing tenants and the Inglewood community should be the outcome.” another added.
The petition said the “vague terms” used by the State Government in its announcement were not legally enforceable.
A report to the WAPC’s Statutory Planning Committee says the “approval is for ‘aged persons dwellings’ as ‘multiple dwellings’ which must be used to the satisfaction of the WA Planning Commission for social housing or community housing managed and operated by a registered community housing provider”.
Housing for the Aged Action group CEO Fiona York wrote a letter in support of the development but only if it was for aged-care residents, acknowledging the concerns of how the plans are not suitable for aged-care persons.
“City of Stirling have noted that the commitment that the development is for older people is not reflected in the project plans, and they hold concerns that the development may not be dedicated to older people,” she said.
“Allocating a minimum proportion of public and community home to people over 55 years of age recognises the limited earning capacity of older people, and their need for housing security to enable them to age in place, with the health and wellbeing benefits this brings.”
The proposal includes demolishing the existing building and replacing it with a four-storey building with 50 social housing dwellings, one two-way vehicular access point on to Wood Street, 26 residential car parking bays, communal areas and landscaping.
Mayor Mark Irwin said the city recognised the need for social housing and supported proposals that were well-planned and set up to succeed.
“However, this proposal for a complex of 50 social housing units on Beaufort Street is set up to fail,” he said.
The WAPC is scheduled to consider the proposal on June 18.
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