The petition, handed to the City at the August council meeting, urged the commissioners not to approve a plan for the development on Portcullis and Woodthorpe drives in Willetton on the grounds a population boom would put pressure on schools and roads in the area.
Commissioner Steven Cole said it was standard procedure to table a petition in council meetings before acquitting it the following month.
“We took the petition into consideration and we acted in the City of Canning’s best interests,” he said. Petition concerns such as student numbers at schools were not issues for the council.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWRather, they were issues for the Education Department to consider.
“The commentary was legitimate, but we were satisfied with the planning reports and we are expected to adhere to State Government infill policies,” Mr Cole said.
Petition organiser Aaron Lindsell said he was concerned the petition was not properly considered before the development was approved.
He said the commisioners focussed on building codes more than social impacts such as increased vehicle movements.
Since the August meeting, the petition had ballooned to more than 200 signatures and Mr Lindsell said he was unsatisfied the WAPC use it in deliberations.
“The decision (to endorse the build) was made without consultation. I don’t think the commissioners are really representing the people of Willetton,” he said.
“This project will be the largest in 20 years since the area was settled… (and) I don’t think (the council) have done enough planning.”
A spokeswoman at the WAPC said the commission would consider any submission in relation to the development.