Members of the Labor party last year joined residents to protest the Bayswater concrete batching plant
Camera IconMembers of the Labor party last year joined residents to protest the Bayswater concrete batching plant Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Bayswater calls on Labor to honor pledge to fight concrete batching plant

Toyah ShakespeareEastern Reporter

BAYSWATER Council has called on the new State Government to appeal against the works approval issued for a concrete batching plant on Collier Road.

In January, the council did not appeal the State Administrative Tribunal’s decision to green-light the WA Premix proposal after battling it for seven years.

The City of Bayswater and Cr Sally Palmer then separately lodged appeals with the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) against the approval’s conditions.

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An investigation will be completed and a report prepared for the new Environment Minister.

At a meeting last week, councillors voted to to the Premier and Environment Minister seeking their support of the community’s strong opposition and appeal against the DER’s works approval.

Cr Palmer said the community had stood on the steps of Parliament with now-Premier Mark McGowan, who promised he would “faithfully assist” Bayswater Council knock back the development.

“If the Premier can put his hand up and stop Roe 8, he can do the same with our little batching plant,” she said.

Cr Chris Cornish said the new Government meant there was a “chink of light” that the fight against the development was not over.

“We need to get on the front foot straight away,” he said.

Mayor Barry McKenna said the council had been consistent in its opposition of the plant since 2011, but did not want to give ratepayers false hope that they could overturn the plant’s approval.

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said the matter was before the Appeals Convenor and it was not appropriate for him to comment.

“Three appeals were received against the conditions of the works approval,” he said.

“The appeals are being investigated by the Appeals Convenor on my behalf, who will report to me in the future.”