Second twin tower development green-lit at Belmont Racecourse
By Claire Ottaviano and Emma Young
A one-of-a-kind residential development inclusive of a racing steward’s box with a direct line of sight over Belmont Racecourse has been approved by an independent planning panel.
The 19-storey “West Tower” and 22-storey “Tower B” form part of the $3.8 billion Belmont Park Racecourse transformation and will include 204 apartments.
The racecourse facing facade of the development have been simply designed to minimise distraction to horses.Credit: MJA Studio Architects
A five-member panel approved the plan on Wednesday despite the taller of the towers exceeding the precinct plan’s 19-storey height limit.
Panel deputy presiding member Tony Arias said the uniquely isolated location of Burswood Point gave cause for maximum development opportunity.
“There’s been discussion about building height, but in my view, it’s an appropriate location where we can maximise height,” he said.
“The nearest residents are 500 meters away; they are sufficiently far away from the development that it won’t have a negative impact.”
It is the second two-tower development on the Burswood peninsula approved above the height limit after a 26-storey and 18-storey development was given the green light in February 2024.
More than half the apartments in the most recently approved development will be two-bedroom, with 57 more to be three-bedroom, 32 to be one-bedroom and a single four-bedroom penthouse.
About 10 apartments will be designated affordable housing and made available for sale or lease through a community housing provider, and 40 will meet requirements enabling “ageing in place” for seniors.
According to the application, the provision of a steward’s box on the edge of the racecourse would enable racing stewards to view the jockeys head on in direct line with the straight.
“The room will be used on race days by racing stewards to ensure a fair race occurs,” documents stated.
Golden Sedayu managing director Andrew Sugiaputra welcomed the approval.
“The speed with which this development application was approved is a testament to the hard work of the Golden Sedayu team and our commitment to seeing our vision for Burswood Point realised,” he said.
“It is also evidence of the collaborative approach we have continued to take with state and local
government authorities, who have worked with us to ensure the best outcomes for the future of the
site, prospective residents, and the broader Perth community.”
The Burswood Point plan, when finished, will include 4500 homes, 90,000 square metres of office and retail space and 110,000 square metres of public open space – with more than 2.5 kilometres of Swan River foreshore.
Town of Victoria Park councillor Peter Melrosa said the plans would contribute to Perth’s “overwhelming need for housing”.
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