Property History

This 16 Betty Street house, along with neighbouring no.18, were both demolished in January 2023 to make way for Oryx's new $57 million residential aged care home, The Melvista Nedlands.

With five bedrooms and three bathrooms, it was only built in 2003 and appears to be the newest house I've seen so far, to become demolished. With a floor size of 324m², the block of land measured 721m².

​

The limited property history consists of:

• April 21, 2019 - Sold for $2.5 million

• July 8, 2019 - Sold for $2,522,500

• July 27, 2019 - Listed for rent (price unavailable)

• June 15, 2021 - Listed for rent at $950 per week.

​

The Melvista Nedlands

Located on four residential properties (with 73 Doonan Street demolished in early December 2022 and no.75 being a vacant block since 1982), The Melvista will accommodate 80 aged care residents over four storeys. The proportion of the population residing in the City of Nedlands is above average for those aged over 65 with 19.7%, compared to the Australian average of 14% and lower figures for the surrounding government districts.

​

Whilst development approval was given on 11 March 2021 (p.9), Oryx Communities applied for a 24-month extension to delay the start of construction, citing a, "heated construction market leading to labour shortages which, in-turn increases labour costs," as well as supply chain issues, which has escalated the cost of materials, resulting in shortages.

A one year extension had previously been granted by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) on 16 December 2022 (p.24). Oryx brought the matter before the State Administrative Tribunal for a review, requesting a 24-month extension and despite numerous community objections as a result of additional information being publicly advertised, it was granted on 27 July 2023.

​

The role of the State Administrative Tribunal is to review a variety of planning decisions including

development applications, made by a number of bodies including the WAPC, Metropolitan Redevelopment

Authority, Development Assessment Panels and the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

​

Despite the approved extension, earthworks began from mid-August 2023, with piling for constructing the basement expected to begin in the last week of the month. The original completion date had been scheduled for the end of 2023 but as a result of the various issues highlighted, the new completion date is expected to be set for the second quarter of 2025.

​

Melvista Nedlands is said to be replacing the nearby Melvista Lodge & Nursing Home, which closed in 2012 and has been referred to in a number of reports, as being in a "dilapidated" state. It appears that during the past two years, it has since opened up to accommodate members of the community, although I'm yet to find any further information that can expand on this.

​

The article stating that earthworks have begun, includes a reference to the old Melvista Nursing Home, citing it's decommission date in July 2012 and that, "there has been no aged care accommodation in the City of Nedlands... this home replaces the service that was closed over a decade ago."