Rocky Bay's Next Steps

The Rocky Bay Disability Services site, Lot 600, is currently reserved under the Town of Mosman Park’s Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (the Scheme) as ‘Social Care Facilities’. In 2023, we will submit a Scheme Amendment Request to change this zoning to ‘Residential’. 

Rezoning the site to ‘Residential’ is consistent with the surrounding area and will help Rocky Bay to secure the best value from the site and broaden its base of potential purchasers. The sale of the land will ultimately go towards Rocky Bay’s new disability and community facilities at Belmont. 

This involves amending the Town of Mosman Park Local Planning Scheme No. 3, which outlines the way land can be used or developed. For the land to be capable of accommodating residential dwellings, changes to the Scheme are needed which can be made via a Scheme Amendment.  

The proposed rezoning of the Rocky Bay site in Mosman Park offers an exciting opportunity to create a new development area within the well-established residential neighbourhood of western Mosman Park, conveniently located near the Tom Perrott Reserve and Swan River foreshore.  

An experienced planning consultant has been engaged to design what the new Rocky Bay development area might look like and the different densities across the site and is considerate of the existing residents surrounding the site.   

Once we have engaged with the community to get their input, a Scheme Amendment request will be submitted to the Town of Mosman Park aiming to establish an appropriate zoning and planning framework for the site.  

A Scheme Amendment is the process by which an aspect of the local planning scheme is updated and include but are not limited to: 

• A change to a property’s zoning which will amend the purpose, objectives and development standards applicable to the land; 
• A change to a property’s strategic intent by implementing a planning instrument to guide development; 
• A change to a property’s applicable development standards; and 
• A change to the wording of the local planning scheme. 

Scheme Amendments can be proposed by landowners, State Government agencies or the Town itself.  

Rocky Bay will apply for a Scheme Amendment for Lot 600 to the Town of Mosman Park with the Town then becoming responsible for progressing the scheme amendment.  However, the Minister for Planning is the ultimate determining authority.   

Rocky Bay engaged Knight Frank to undertake an Expression of Interest process for the sale. While a number of offers were received, feedback noted that the lack of zoning guidelines for the site created uncertainty which affected the price that was able to be offered.  

The 1978 constructed facility that currently houses Rocky Bay is experiencing significant maintenance challenges, and no longer meets modern disability standards. 

The site is also not well located for the population of people needing disability services, that is, there is a much greater population of people requiring our services closer to the eastern suburbs. In addition, both spatial and structural limitations of the building restrict the ability to address areas of unmet need we are aware of, but do not have the facility to address.   

The draft and final design of the potential development area and the type of residences built will be prepared by the future developer who purchases the site.  As part of the new Expression of Interest process for prospective purchasers, Rocky Bay is putting together the framework that will determine the potential number of dwellings and density, including location of density, that might exist on the site, dependent on the Scheme Amendment.   

We envisage that the areas interfacing direct neighbours will be of a similar density to what is existing to ensure the amenity and character of the neighbourhood remains.  

Higher density areas within the site, such as apartments, will be furthest away from neighbours towards the middle of the site closer to Tom Perrott Reserve. This will reduce the visual impact and overshadowing for neighbouring properties. There will also be a respectful transition between lower and higher densities. However, this will be finalised after consultation with the community. 

In short no, there will be a range of housing typologies proposed from apartments to dwellings of similar height of existing residential housing. The decision to allow some of the rezoned residential densities for apartments is to ensure a better financial return of the sale of future housing thus increase the sale value of the land.  It is imperative that Rocky Bay leverages the sale of the land at its best value in order to ensure the future quality facilities and services for its future Belmont disability and community hub.  

Rocky Bay has been part of your neighbourhood for 45 years and it is very important to us to ensure a positive living experience for both new and existing residents. The positioning of the future buildings would seek to minimise impact on residents and the broader community, while still aiming to achieve a mutually positive outcome for Rocky Bay. 

It is also of note the State Government seeks to increase density in inner urban areas to reduce  urban sprawl, improve housing affordability and to protect our natural environment. The Town of Mosman Park needs to meet infill targets set by the State Government and this potential development area will assist with that.  

The new Rocky Bay development area aims to create the blueprint for a place that fits in with the surrounding landscape and provides benefits to the community through potential shared ground floor offerings and landscape linkages to Tom Perrott Reserve. 

Bringing more people to live in the area will contribute to the prosperity and growth of local businesses who service the existing community and there is the opportunity for small food & beverage offerings, such as a cafe to be included.  

Delivering a mix of housing within Mosman Park offers options for current residents to remain in the area if they wish to downsize and age in place. It will also provide opportunities for younger singles and couples to reinvigorate the neighbourhood and become part of this local community as it evolves.   

Rocky Bay have been in this location for 45 years and values its surrounding neighbours and community, including our independent living Rocky Bay residents of 62 McCabe Street who will continue living next door. We are working with our neighbours to ensure that their thoughts are heard in this process.  

The plans for the site will take into careful consideration anything that might impact our neighbours including what type of residential development might directly interface with them, traffic, shade, green space, access and the character of the area. Through the community engagement process we also invite our neighbours to tell us what they would like us to consider for the site. 

Our initial studies show that overall traffic volume in the area will not be impacted. There will potentially be some changes to traffic though, as daytime traffic to the site will decrease, whereas morning and evening traffic will likely increase. 

The McCabe Street site will relocate its main administrative and service hub to Belmont, to better serve our clients. The independent living homes at 62 McCabe Street in Mosman Park will not be changing and will remain under Rocky Bay's ownership.  

It will be some time before any development is likely to occur on the site as the following will need to happen first: 

• The Scheme Amendment will need to be approved 
• The land will need to be sold 
• The purchaser will need to have their subdivision and development application(s) approved, which will likely involve further engagement with the community.  

The homes at 62 McCabe Street and the adjacent car park are on a separate title and will not be impacted by this sale. The residents living in the nursing home at 60 McCabe Street have all transitioned to their new SDA homes. 

Rocky Bay has recently secured planning approval for an integrated disability, health and community hub that sets a new standard in for people, which will be situated on a Rocky Bay owned site on Abernethy Road in the City of Belmont. 

The supported accommodation at 62 McCabe Street is being retained by Rocky Bay, which along with Rocky’s Bay first dedicated facility for children and youth at Lady Lawley Cottage, will continue to ensure that Rocky Bay maintains a presence within the western suburbs. 

Yes, we have been in regular contact with the Town of Mosman Park about our decision to sell and relocate.