BAYSWATER council will take the “front foot” in forming a structure plan for the area within 400m of the Meltham train station, after the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) approved a developer-led plan in October.
WAPC approved the Meltham Station Precinct Structure Plan (MSPSP), which was prepared by consultants Planning Solutions on behalf of a joint venture between developer Pindan and a few property owners despite Bayswater council’s recommended refusal.
According to the MSPSP, the purpose was to facilitate the development of residential properties of more than six storeys and mixed use precinct around the Meltham train station.
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READ NOWWAPC advised City of Bayswater that further detailed planning should be undertaken to investigate further opportunities to increase residential densities within 400m of the station.
At the December 12 council meeting, Mayor Dan Bull’s motion for council to consider part of the 2018-19 budget process an allocation of $150,000 to fund the undertaking of a further structure plan that was not covered by the WAPC-approved plan.
Cr Bull said he thought it was apparent to undertake a new structure plan.
Planning and development services director Des Abel said the total cost depended on the scope of consultation that council wanted and further investigation would be done during the budget process.
Mr Abel said the draft local planning strategy to guide development throughout the whole City over the next five years would be completed in June 2018.
Cr Lorna Clarke said residents wanted to be heard and have certainty about the timeframes of when the City’s plan would be completed.
Meltham resident David Lee said residents were pleased council took the leadership to initiate another structure planning process.
“The main reasons behind that is I think we feel comforted that there will be a more appropriate community consultation process than what occurred under the MSPSP plan that was done by a developer,” he said.
“Perhaps a more modest (development) rather than multiple high-rise developments (would be better); so three or four storeys with sloping roofs, green space and public open space.
“We think that there is something really special… Meltham is a bit like a village and we think those characteristics should be maintained.”
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