THE City of Bayswater will consider more appropriate land uses to improve the amenity of its “ageing” industrial areas.
At the January 30 council meeting, councillors supported the officer’s recommendation to note actions in the adopted Economic Business Framework to reduce the vacancy rate and increase the employment base in the area.
The decision followed Bayswater resident Steven Ostaszewskyj’s motion at the December annual general meeting of electors, which requested an engagement and transformation process by allowing stakeholders to attract creative, artistic, cultural, sporting, hospitality and education organisations into vacant spaces.
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READ NOWCouncillor Giorgia Johnson’s amendment for the City to consider permitting a wider range of appropriate land uses as part of the preparation of the local planning strategy and the new town planning scheme was passed.
However, Cr Johnson’s push to consider the appointment of a place manager for industrial areas in the 2018-19 budget was not supported.
Cr Johnson said this was an exciting opportunity to activate the Bayswater industrial area.
“There has been a lot of talk over the years about revitalising industrial areas or doing our best for the very heart of industry and employment,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Chris Cornish said he did not want to see residential development in the area and it was a bit “extravagant” to employ a place manager.
Planning and development services director Des Abel said it cost $120,000 for a place manager.
Cr Sally Palmer said she wanted to see artistic education organisations come into the area.
Without debate, the council passed other officer recommendations including investing the planting of trees within Slade Street and Whatley Crescent and for the City to develop a report on the building heights for the King William Core.
Council will consider community consultation nominating Bayswater, Maylands and Meltham town sites of the State Heritage Register as part of consideration of the draft Municipal Inventory of Heritage Places.