THE Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has received a development application proposing the construction of a nine-storey building in Bassendean consisting of 73 apartments, one incidental office, and parking.

The lot is 3353sqm and is located at the intersection of Park Lane, Guildford Road and Wilson Street in Bassendean.

According to the Town of Bassendean, the development aims to provide social and affordable housing while incorporating shared spaces and active transport facilities.

A report prepared by DevelopmentWA states the development proposes 80 per cent affordable and 20 per cent social housing in a build to rent model.

Build to rent is a model of housing where rentals are meant to be treated as forever homes, according to DevelopmentWA.

These rentals are managed by larger organisations aiming to provide long-term and secure rentals with subsidised rents based on tenant income or on a discount to the market rate.

“An affordable housing resident typically pays a maximum of 74.9 per cent of the market rental rate for the area in which the apartments are located,” the DevelopmentWA report said.

“To be eligible for affordable rental accommodation under the Housing Australia future fund program, residents need to earn within the defined income thresholds as set by the federal government.”

To be eligible, singles must not earn more than $66,898 per year, couples no more than $100,347 and families no more than $140,486.

The proposed site is located within 40m of Bassendean station as part of the Midland line, 380m to Bassendean shopping centre and within 500m of Bassendean Oval.

According to DevelopmentWA, the site is also recognised as a contaminated site, due to the presence of asbestos-containing material (ACM) that was left from a demolished building that used to be at the southern side of the site.

Though the land use of the site right now is restricted to paved carpark use, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) engaged consulting and engineering services provider RPS for remediation.

RPS will be required to prepare a report and remediation action plan, looking to decontaminate the site so that it may be reclassified.

RPS’ remediation works are scheduled for 2026.

The newly proposed apartment complex in Bassendean is a priority project nominated by the state government and approved for funding through the Housing Australia future fund.

According to DevelopmentWA, the proposed development would provide much needed social and affordable housing within a highly accessible and connected location.

“The development will be serviced by and contribute to the success of the nearby Bassendean station, future envisaged mixed-use development, nearby retail uses and other community services,” they said.

“The design of the development respects existing significant trees though retention is sympathetic to adjoining properties through generous setbacks and offers an attractive street presence.”

A tree report for the development noted 37 trees on site, with significant trees that were recommended to be incorporated in the design “where practicably possible”.

Four trees were marked as priority for retention, 22 were marked as worthy of consideration for retention, three were marked as “consider for removal”, and seven were marked as priority for removal.

The DPLH is inviting community feedback on the proposed apartment complex development which has been valued at $38 million.

Public consultation closes February 27.