Row erupts over Subiaco heritage buildings as authorities decide whether to allow demolition

A last-minute stoush has erupted over some 112-year-old buildings in Subiaco ahead of a decision by planning authorities today on whether to allow demolition. Subiaco Council yesterday removed some hoardings on the buildings’ windows ahead of today’s decision by the Development Assessment Panel over whether developer Sanur should be allowed to bulldoze the properties at 424-440 Hay Street and redevelop the site. The developer claims hoarding will reduce the spray of debris if the buildings were to collapse, following its claims the buildings are not structurally sound. It has accused the council of pulling a stunt. Subiaco Mayor David McMullen hit back, claiming the council’s long held position, as based on advice from multiple engineers and as previously accepted by the State Administrative Tribunal, is that the buildings are not moving nor in imminent danger of collapse. “Our staff don’t do stunts,” he said last night. “They have, however, removed the boards today - to enable the Development Assessment Panel members to see the heritage buildings at a site inspection tomorrow morning. “City staff and engineers are confident that the boards (which were on City land) didn’t serve any structural purpose; and their removal does not pose any safety threat to the community.” The council said several structural engineers had concluded the buildings were safe, including Keystone Structural which said that numbers 424-428 Hay Street was capable of long-term conservation after remediation, and there was no risk of collapse at number 440, which required no further remediation. Sanur claims four structural engineers agree with it that the buildings are not safe. Either way, planning authorities are not required to consider safety in its decision. The buildings, which are in the heart of Subiaco, have been boarded up for much of the past three years. Today’s decision by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel will is the second time it has considered the matter, with the matter previously having been deferred over a procedural matter. If the authority sides with Sanur to allow the redevelopment, it will mark the end of more than three years of fighting over the issue. If approved, demolition could take place almost immediately. If the DAP sides with the City of Subiaco, it is unlikely to be the end of the matter, with Sanur to continue seeking a demolition order through the State Administrative Tribunal, where it has also launched a case. The Subiaco council said the buildings make a considerable contribution to the Rokeby Road and Hay Street Heritage Area. The city conceded there had been some alterations to the building over the decades, following claims from Sanur there had been so many alterations it could no longer be deemed to have any heritage value. Sanur claims the buildings have little heritage value.