AFTER numerous false starts the old Spotlight building in Fremantle’s East End, next to Target, looks set to undergo a $15.8 million redevelopment.

The eight-storey mixed use development of 71 apartment and seven commercial tenancies was refused by the joint development assessment panel (JDAP) last month because it was higher than allowed by the city’s planning scheme.

Yolk Property appealed to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) and a revised application with a lower height was recommended for approval by council’s planning committee last Wednesday night.

Officers noted that the revised application had 11 fewer car bays than the original, meaning there was a six-bay legislative shortfall.

“The city considers this discretion to be minor in nature so it is possible to waive the requirement to readvertise the proposal,” wrote officers.

“Due to the timeframes provided by SAT in their orders, the city did not have sufficient time to readvertise the proposal even if that was required.”

The revised application is now scheduled to go back before JDAP on December 15.

In another fillip for the city’s East End, construction of the $61 million LIV apartments on the old Young’s Toyota site started this week, while across the road Match’s Heirloom rejuvenation of the old Dalgety wool stores was completed.

The LIV mixed-use development on Queen Victoria Street includes 166 apartments, 1300sqm of commercial space and courtyards and public open spaces.

About a third of the development will house defence force families stationed in WA, with the rest to be sold to private owners and investors.

The three developments, especially Spotlight, are regarded by Fremantle council as key to kick-starting the rejuvenation of the daggy East End.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK