Billion-dollar developers Golden Group have been granted a two-year extension to commence development of Maddington Homestead by Gosnells council.
The restoration of Maddington Homestead was first approved in 2016, and would have seen the Homestead restored to its original built form character.
Then, in October 2018, it was approved again, with the main difference being the homestead would be retore using elements which contrast with the existing framework of the building, clearly delineating old from new.
In March 2020, Planning Minister Rita Saffioti implemented temporary approval exemptions to automatically extend the period of approval for development approvals due to expire during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
While this extended the approval to October 23, 2022, to date Golden Group have done nothing and in their application for an extension on the October 2022 date, they failed to specify a commencement timeframe but did provide an estimated time of completion of November 2025.
In their application, Studio CFM, acting on behalf of Golden Group, advised the project team had prepared a Building Permit Package that “has undertaken numerous consultations with the Heritage Council of Western Australia and City of Gosnells.”
“COVID-19 has been a significant disruption due to the macro-economic conditions such as skill shortages and supply chain disruptions.
“The project team is still experiencing delays and are unable to apportion and pre-contract or site resources to Maddington Homestead in the short term.
“In light of these challenges, the project team is still working through sourcing for civil works contractors and also building contractors to commit to this restoration project”
Extraordinarily, the officer’s report said that on this basis it is considered the proponent has made some progress in attempting to implement the approval.
Council voted in favour of granting the extension unanimously, with Cr Petr Abetz urging Golden Group to get on with the job.
