[COM] The Rowlands Apartments | 55m | 16lvls | Residential

[stumpjumper]

From Messenger 9/12/10

UNIVERSITY students say a lack of accommodation options in the city are forcing them into cramped apartments and causing their studies to suffer.

Student bodies want minimum apartment sizes enforced and more housing options in the CBD, but accommodation providers and architecture experts say the small dwellings are adequate and match national trends.

Adelaide University union president Raffaele Piccolo said students, particularly those from overseas, were almost always on a tight budget and forced to live in unsuitable accommodation.

“They tend to enter an agreement with what they can afford rather than what is beneficial for them,” Mr Piccolo said. “There is a real impact on their education.”

Mr Piccolo said property developers and the State Government should be liaising with students to determine their accommodation needs and both had a responsibility to provide affordable housing.

As a result, the state government DAC is now expected to grant planning APPROVAL to this development.

No, DAC will approve it because DAC's instructions are to approve every proposal before it unless it's an 'absolute shocker'. The reason for that attitude is that the Farrell/Rann/Foley/Conlon government equates development with truth, light, goodness and VOTES, and is terrified of being criticised by the development industry. I've heard that from a DAC member.

[AtD]

I wonder if in that article when they say students want "minimum apartment sizes enforced," how much of that is smaller than usual rooms vs how much is normal rooms with 3 people crammed into them.

[Will]

From Messenger 9/12/10

UNIVERSITY students say a lack of accommodation options in the city are forcing them into cramped apartments and causing their studies to suffer.

Student bodies want minimum apartment sizes enforced and more housing options in the CBD, but accommodation providers and architecture experts say the small dwellings are adequate and match national trends.

Adelaide University union president Raffaele Piccolo said students, particularly those from overseas, were almost always on a tight budget and forced to live in unsuitable accommodation.

“They tend to enter an agreement with what they can afford rather than what is beneficial for them,” Mr Piccolo said. “There is a real impact on their education.”

Mr Piccolo said property developers and the State Government should be liaising with students to determine their accommodation needs and both had a responsibility to provide affordable housing.

As a result, the state government DAC is now expected to grant planning APPROVAL to this development.

No, DAC will approve it because DAC's instructions are to approve every proposal before it unless it's an 'absolute shocker'. The reason for that attitude is that the Farrell/Rann/Foley/Conlon government equates development with truth, light, goodness and VOTES, and is terrified of being criticised by the development industry. I've heard that from a DAC member.

Didn't you read my entire post? The developers have ammended the proposal and now the apartments meet the minimum size requirements. Now that this is the case, why shouldn't the development get planning approval?

[Omicron]

From Messenger 9/12/10

UNIVERSITY students say a lack of accommodation options in the city are forcing them into cramped apartments and causing their studies to suffer.

Student bodies want minimum apartment sizes enforced and more housing options in the CBD, but accommodation providers and architecture experts say the small dwellings are adequate and match national trends.

Adelaide University union president Raffaele Piccolo said students, particularly those from overseas, were almost always on a tight budget and forced to live in unsuitable accommodation.

“They tend to enter an agreement with what they can afford rather than what is beneficial for them,” Mr Piccolo said. “There is a real impact on their education.”

Mr Piccolo said property developers and the State Government should be liaising with students to determine their accommodation needs and both had a responsibility to provide affordable housing.

Oh, pshaw.

[stumpjumper]

Didn't you read my entire post?

Yes I did read it, Will. My point, though, is that DAC seems to rubber stamp appeals from DAC - 21 out of 22 according to my source on DAP. I'd like to see all of DAC's deliberations minuted and made publicly available, and further I'd like to see 'confirmation hearings' for DAC members where nominees would have to explain what made them suitable for the appointment.

Buildings are around for a long time, and an appointment to DAC shouldn't be just another paid position to be given out by those in power. For example, Elizabeth Hollidge, a member of DAC, is the ex of Peter Manilauskas, secretary of the dreaded Shoppies and arguably the most powerful man in SA. Hollidge may be well qualified, but I'd like to see why.

Omicron, I agree that the student union president is being naive and idealistic, if that was your point.

[Will]

Didn't you read my entire post?

Yes I did read it, Will. My point, though, is that DAC seems to rubber stamp appeals from DAC - 21 out of 22 according to my source on DAP. I'd like to see all of DAC's deliberations minuted and made publicly available, and further I'd like to see 'confirmation hearings' for DAC members where nominees would have to explain what made them suitable for the appointment.

Buildings are around for a long time, and an appointment to DAC shouldn't be just another paid position to be given out by those in power. For example, Elizabeth Hollidge, a member of DAC, is the ex of Peter Manilauskas, secretary of the dreaded Shoppies and arguably the most powerful man in SA. Hollidge may be well qualified, but I'd like to see why.

Omicron, I agree that the student union president is being naive and idealistic, if that was your point.

Whilst not been architectural masterpieces, the developments submitted to the DAC for approval have generally satisfied the criteria of the development plan, and thus would warrant approval. I believe that the high approval rate of the DAC is in a large part due to the elimination of 'village politics' from the equation.

[Ben]

From The City Messenger:

"Dog box" apartments approved after redesign

23 Dec 10 @ 07:00am by Jessica Whiting

A building with apartments criticised for being ``dog boxes’’ has been redesigned and approved by the state’s Development Assessment Commission (DAC).

Plans lodged by designer A D’Andrea and Associates for the 15 level building on Rowlands Pl were refused by the Adelaide City Council’s development assessment panel (DAP) last month with some members concerned about the cramped living space.

Forty affordable apartments in the $25 million development were below required minimum sizes outlined in the council’s development plan of 50 sq m for a one bedroom dwelling and 75 sq m for a two bedroom.

However, revised plans approved by the DAC show that nearly all apartments now meet the minimum size, with just 18 two bedroom apartments slightly below 75 sq m with these to be allocated as affordable housing.

Project designer Alberto D’Andrea said it was a good outcome for all parties.

``We were able to change some apartments and add height which compensated for some of the lost area,’’ Mr D’Andrea said.

Cr Anne Moran, who said the original apartments were like ``little dog boxes’‘, said she was pleased at the changes.

``There have been adjustments made to plans that DAC’s put through but they have often been minor,’’ Cr Moran said.

``But for the applicant to actually care about the conditions inside is very pleasing.’‘

[Ben]

Type: Development Application Received
Application Number: DA/540/2010/A
Lodgement Date: 27/01/2011
Location: 12-14 Rowlands Place, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Description: Vary previous authorisation to demolish existing buildings and construct 15 level residential building comprising 4 levels of affordable housing, 10 levels of residential accommodation and ground floor car parking and ground level office tenancy with ancillary basement and ground floor car parking - VARIATION - reduce number of apartments.

[Dr-T]

Yea I saw that, looks like we're going for maximum profit now huh?

[Ben]

Coming through thick and fast now. So many cranes soon!

Type: Application Assessed on Merit
Application Number: DA/540/2010/1/A
Lodgement Date: 2/05/2011
Location: 12-14 Rowlands Place, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Description: Vary previous authorisation to demolish existing buildings and construct 15 level residential building comprising 4 levels of affordable housing, 10 levels of residential accommodation and ground floor car parking and ground level office tenancy with ancillary basement and ground floor car parking - VARIATION - reduce number of apartments - STAGE 1 - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS, EXCAVATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF BASEMENT

[UrbanSG]

Wow Adelaide is really stepping up a notch now. This is looking stronger than the previous boom during mid to late last decade.

I have a feeling we are about to become Australia's next boom city similar to what Perth and Brisbane have experienced recently.

Now with the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and riverbank going ahead that will only further fuel developer confidence in the city. There are so many current and future projects it's getting difficult to keep track.

Hopefully there are no more GFC type events soon so this expansion can be sustained.

[skyliner]

Wow Adelaide is really stepping up a notch now. This is looking stronger than the previous boom during mid to late last decade.

I have a feeling we are about to become Australia's next boom city similar to what Perth and Brisbane have experienced recently.

Now with the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and riverbank going ahead that will only further fuel developer confidence in the city. There are so many current and future projects it's getting difficult to keep track.

Hopefully there are no more GFC type events soon so this expansion can be sustained.

In response to the bold - when linked up to everything else reported on S-A for the city and state, I had the same feeling. A surge in developmemt like this I can't remember. The big mining proposals, discoveries and the recent OXD developments, the opening up of Woomera area for mining and linked potentials linked in with what is happening in Adelaide CBD (outside the Nth Tce area) cetainly goes beyond conspiracy theories and trumped up spin.

Yes, the SA government has had/will have a part but even this is far beyond what used to be. (just think of electric trains, the trams, the desal plant, the northern expressway and THEN the river area). I recently read the ODX mine is bigger than all the Pilbara mines put together re potential income. Thus, Adelaide as the next boom city does not seem as outlandish as some might think.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[UrbanSG]

In a further sign that this project is close to commencing it was advertised in the building tenders section of the Advertiser today.

[Will]

This one is at-least 'SWP' now. The current building on the site has been demolished.

[UrbanSG]

Taken today: