Oryx Communities is seeking to push back construction of its controversial Melvista aged care home in Nedlands, Perth, by up to two years.
The Melvista Nedlands, which received development approval in March last year despite community objections, is slated to contain 80 luxury aged care units across four storeys, plus a wellness centre for allied health and reablement.
However, despite the approval mandating “substantial commencement” of the $35 million project within 18 months, the developers now want another two years, citing various factors including an overheated Perth construction market, increased costs, supply chain problems, and labour shortages.
“The additional two years will allow the proponent to continue to progress the development in an efficient and effective manner given the capacity constraints currently being suffered by the construction industry,” said Tayne Evershed, director of Planning Solutions, in an application letter to the WA Planning Commission’s State Development Assessment Unit.
The Melvista Nedlands has met with opposition from the community, including from developer Matthew McNeilly, who lives nearby and condemned the “fast-tracked” approval process last year.
