City of Perth council rejects motion to boost planning approvals process transparency

AN attempt to boost transparency for the City of Perth’s planning approvals process has been sent back to the drawing board.

Councillor Jemma Green moved a motion at last Tuesday’s Perth council meeting directing the City publish all development applications that require community consultation online.

Cr Green’s motion stipulated the applications should include details of the application and of the consultation process, including the means to submit responses online.

Cr Green said details of planning applications were only accessed in person at Council House, which she described as a “limited means for public consultation”.

She said other capital city councils provided similar details online, and she had secured legal advice that confirmed it was legal for the City to publish the details of planning applications online.

But Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi moved to defer Cr Green’s motion back to committee, a move that passed with the support of five other members of council.

Cr Green voted against the delay, with the support of councillors Reece Harley and James Limnios.