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Bayswater Mayor ‘disappointed’ at unapproved works at Skipper’s Row subdivision

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

CITY of Bayswater Mayor Barry McKenna is “disappointed” with developers conducting construction works on the D’Orazio’s subdivision at Skipper’s Row without approval yesterday.

An excavator and a front-end loader were spotted after 7am at the site and were preparing to build a limestone track.

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Bayswater group No Houses in Wetlands spent 30 minutes to block a truck from entering the site. Member Deborah Bowie said it was “very frightening”.

“I do believe that an order came through from the developer for the works to be stopped but if our group had not been there…that order did not come through until about 10.30am,” she said.

“So our group walked back out of the way but that truck kept coming.”

The City was then notified by a ratepayer of the works and subsequently contacted the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) and the Department of Planning to confirm whether they gave approval.

Cr McKenna said the City had control of the D’Orazio’s site.

“The two contractors were very good, they parked up their machines, stopped and around 15 minutes later they began working again; they apologised profusely and they took it as a misunderstanding,” he said.

“I was disappointed in what was going on…they were trying to jump the process and the due process had not been followed, it was made very clear to them and no works can happen essentially on site.”

Cr McKenna said following tonight’s council meeting, further negotiations would take place in relation to the subdivision.

“I have a guarantee saying anything happens on that site must be done in compliance with what the WAPC have said very clear that approval lies with the City of Bayswater,” he said.

“(The developer’s) officers would be in touch tomorrow about what is the result of tonight’s outcome with Council which will be up for discussion.”

A Department of Planning spokeswoman said the Department did not provide approval for site works to commence.

“The subdivision application for this site was approved subject to conditions, which need to be met before works commence,” she said.

“Until these conditions are met to the City of Bayswater’s satisfaction, then site works cannot proceed.”