PLANNING Minister Rita Saffioti has confirmed the temporary fence at Ashfield Flats will be removed after pausing the process to receive a full briefing.
The fence had been installed to rehabilitate the river flats on the landward side of the fence and encourage the public to mainly use the area on the riverside.
The works were part of the draft Ashfield Flats works program 2018-2023.
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READ NOWLast week, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage confirmed the fence would be removed following a community meeting where residents expressed concerns over the lack of consultation before the installation.
Local resident Anne Morton spoke to contractors at the flats on Monday morning who informed her they were removing the fence.
However when she returned in the afternoon, the fence was still there.
She said she contacted the WA Planning Commission which informed her further approval from Planning Minister Rita Saffioti was required.
A spokesperson for Ms Saffioti said the Minister was notified about the fence issue and requested the process be paused to receive a full briefing,
“The Minister was told that a commitment was made by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to remove the fence and that proper consultation had not been undertaken,” the spokesperson said.
“She wanted to be reassured that the fence could be used elsewhere.
“The fence is now being removed from the Ashfield Flats area and will be repurposed in the Swan Valley.
“Given the community interest, the Minister will be requesting that the Town of Bassendean take a lead role in engaging with the community on future river protection plans.”