HOPES a long-awaited aged care facility would finally be built in Kalamunda have been dealt a blow after the Governor revoked a recommendation to rezone bushland on Wilkins Road from parks and recreation to urban.
Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes said the decision by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti to overturn the previous State Government’s decision was based on numerous factors, including native title, bushfire mitigation, commercial viability and sewage.
“The touting of Wilkins Road in 2011 as a viable site for aged care was a flawed initiative from the outset and has to be seen in the context of the decision of the previous Government to refuse the 2009 application for the rezoning of Lot 500 Gavour Road for aged care purposes,” he said.
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READ NOW“It is incorrect and misleading of those who advocate for the Wilkins Road Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment to suggest that it is a shovel-ready site.
“It is clear that there are other viable sites, among them the proposed expansion of Villa Maria in Lesmurdie and the expansion of Sunshine Park on adjacent land in Over Avenue, Lesmurdie. “
East Metropolitan Region MLC Donna Faragher said she was ‘very disappointed’ the proposal had been formally revoked.
“This proposal went through an exhaustive process before its approval in January and it continues to have strong community support,” she said.
Ms Faragher will present a petition to Parliament asking Ms Saffioti to reconsider.
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