A development application has been lodged with DevelopmentWA for a nine-storey mixed-use building at 7–11 King William Street, Bayswater. The applicant is Community Housing Investments (WA) Limited, and will be funded through a combination of State and Federal funding.
What Is Being Proposed?
The existing buildings on the three lots would be demolished to make way for a nine-storey building containing 72 apartments (36 one-bedroom, 36 two-bedroom), ground floor café and office tenancies are preferred, communal spaces on every floor, and a pocket park with a pedestrian link through to the rear laneway. The existing Metters Oven — a heritage artefact from the site — would be preserved and incorporated as a communal focal point.
Who Would Live There?
All 72 dwellings are designated as social and affordable housing. The funding framework requires construction to commence in 2026 and the dwelling numbers and mix are tied to government housing delivery targets.
What About Heritage?
The buildings at 9 and 11 King William Street carry a local heritage listing, but the Heritage Impact Statement concludes both are in poor condition with low integrity due to years of modification. Demolition is recommended subject to archival recording and salvage of original materials where possible.
Does It Comply with Planning Rules?
Not entirely. The development exceeds the permitted 8-storey height limit (proposing 9 storeys), has a larger tower footprint than allowed, reduced setbacks at upper levels, and provides significantly less car parking than the standard requires. The applicant is seeking discretionary approval for these variations, arguing they are justified by the site’s proximity to Bayswater Station, the social housing purpose, and funding constraints.
On the positive side, it exceeds requirements for landscaping, communal open space, bicycle parking, and sustainability — targeting a 5-Star Green Star rating with net zero operational emissions.
What Has the Design Review Panel Said?
The project has been through multiple design review sessions in 2026. The Panel is supportive of the project’s direction in principle but has raised concerns about building bulk and daylight access to lower-level apartments. Design improvements have been made in response, though the Panel is not yet fully satisfied.
Bayswater is changing, and this precinct is explicitly planned for increased density around the upgraded station. The question for the community is not whether change will come, but whether this proposal strikes the right balance.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Is this a positive change for Bayswater?
Share your views with us — all community feedback is welcome.
Follow Lay2 Real Estate
Follow us on Instagram here
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here
See what’s for sale in Bayswater here
Follow us on Facebook here