Bassendean Mayor says town ‘in step’ with State’s greater residential density wish

It was reported last week that Premier Colin Barnett has tasked new Planning Minister Donna Faragher with meeting all 29 local governments in the Perth metropolitan area to urge them to find sites for more residential density.

It was reported that Mr Barnett said councils would “come to the party” and if they did not the State Government would override them.

Mr Gangell said he had not heard from Ms Faragher yet about a meeting time, but anticipated contact soon.

He said despite resistance to multi-dwelling apartment blocks in areas other than Old Perth Road, Bassendean was already increasing density with past developments.

Mr Gangell said the proposed development of 11ha of land around the oval and on BIC Reserve also had the option of more housing options.

“Density has increased in Bassendean in the past three to four years with the infill of apartments on Old Perth Road,” he said.

He said a demand for further housing developments would depend on “how the real estate market shapes up”.

Ms Faragher confirmed meetings had not yet been scheduled but she looked forward to the process.

“I want to discuss how we can work together to explore, identify and maximise infill, higher density and mixed-use developments in areas where we provide adequate infrastructure,” Ms Faragher said.

“The State Government has a plan which considers what our city will look like in the future and the most appropriate areas to develop the extra 800,000 homes needed to accommodate the growing population.

“We need to constrain Perth’s urban sprawl through greater urban infill and higher density living.”