Misrepresentation, lack of info irks

The study, produced two years ago, indicated landowner support for their rural land to become industrial.

Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale chief executive Richard Gorbunow said a mapping error, which occurred when the study was prepared, was in the process of being corrected.

The Metropolitan Region Scheme proposal was before the Department of Planning.

But Pure Steel Lane resident Darren Walters said residents were upset at the lack of information regarding the rezoning, and plans for a freight rail realignment through their properties.

Mr Walters said the shire had failed to answer 10 questions he had put to them in April after a public meeting.

A map displayed at the meeting was the first notice he’d received of a proposed freight rail realignment that would go through the middle of his house.

Mr Walters has owned the property for 11 years and has lived there for the past six years with his family and horses.

He was upset residents were being given such little information and were being misrepresented, saying he supported plans for amalgamation with the City of Armadale.

Serpentine Jarrahdale chief executive officer Richard Gorbunow said the shire was waiting for information from the departments of Planning and Transport regarding Mr Walters’ concerns.

An update on this delay was emailed to Mr Walters by a shire employee on June 11, Mr Gorbunow said.

The amendment request to rezone will facilitate future employment by changing the zoning from rural to industrial.

‘The industrial rezoning is not contingent on the freight rail line realignment but would assist in being a catalyst for certain industries,’ he said.

A letter from Transport Minister Troy Buswell to Darling Range MLA Tony Simpson said there was no funding dedicated to the realignment.

Fifty residents in Mundijong could be affected by a proposed freight rail realignment through the West Mundijong Industrial Area.

Letters were issued in April to residents south of Mundijong Road within the Mardella Estate.