Bushland to be spared the chop

The DoH proposal would redevelop Lot 500, Karri Way for about 25 houses and also result in the north-west land of Damla College being rezoned.

The proposal is currently being advertised (Amendment 177 to Town Planning Scheme No 40) and is open for public comment.

Canning Commissioner Linton Reynolds said if the rezoning was to proceed as advertised, the DoH would hand over the majority of the bushland to the City of Canning and they would work with the Ferndale community to develop a management plan for the site.

The bushland would be placed within the City’s parks and recreation classification.

‘The City would consult with the community to prepare a management plan for the Karri Way bushland site aimed at conserving and enhancing the natural bushland,’ Commissioner Reynolds said.

‘The amendment proposal clearly identifies a parks and recreation classification over the bushland area, and also identifies an indicative development plan layout to give the community more information about the likely subdivision pattern.’

Ferndale residents who have been lobbying against rezoning of the bushland in Karri Way for more than 12 months are concerned the land is not being taken ‘seriously’. Ferndale resident David Bindley told the Canning Times even if the rezoning was to go ahead, new residents would likely complain that the bush was a fire hazard and request the City to remove it.

Amendment 177 is likely to be considered by the council in August or September this year.

The council will then make a recommendation as to whether the amendment should be refused or approved with the Western Australian Planning Commission.

The Minister for Planning will decide on the outcome for the amendment.