Bayswater councillor’s push to disband tribunal fails

Cr Cornish put forward a motion for the city to write to the Premier, Opposition Leader and Attorney-General informing them of its displeasure with the SAT, asking them to make an election pledge to review the role of SAT with a view of disbanding it.

The SAT replaced the Town Planning Appeals Tribunal (TPAT) in 2005 and primarily reviews decisions made by government agencies, public officials and local governments.

A concrete batching plant on Collier Road was a highly publicised proposed development in the City of Bayswater taken to SAT and has been going back and forth between the council and SAT for about four years without a settlement.

Cr Cornish said the “idiocy” of SAT could be seen through its support of the concrete batching plant.

Cr Terry Kenyon said the SAT had no one to answer to, but it was not going to go away and it was not always one-sided.

“I don’t support SAT, but it would be hard to dislodge it,” Cr Kenyon said.

The motion lost 7-3.