A CROWD of Willetton residents cheered at the City of Canning council meeting on July 18 when a proposal to redevelop Hilltop Park was officially pulled off the table.
The community campaign resulted in plans to subdivide into three housing lots a 697sq m portion of the park located on Hilltop Rise in Willetton being rejected by a majority of councillors.
Two petitions were tabled at the meeting, including one with 435 signatures from residents and people outside the City objecting to the proposal.
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READ NOWThe majority of councillors voted againts proceeding with the subdivision and supported Cr David Brown’s idea for the park to be revegetated and paths reinstated.
Deputy Mayor Lindsay Holland, who supported the halt on development, said the park was given to the community more than 40 years ago.
“The immediate community do not want to lose the park,” Cr Holland said.
“They want some security of tenure.
They have had community consultation to an extreme. Their wishes should be abided by.”
Cr Patrick Hall, who was the sole councillor to vote against the City’s recommendation to stop the proposed development, said the park was owned by all City residents, not just those who lived nearby.
He said the $1.18 million that was to have been generated from the sale of the subdivided lots could have been used to upgrade other facilities in the suburb.
“I think there is some fiscal responsibility to look at the broader picture,” Cr Hall said.
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