Councillors agreed to those conditions outlined by developer Yanchep Beach Joint Venture (YBJV) at last week’s council meeting and to using the deed principles adopted before May 2012 as the basis for further negotiations.
They also supported recommendations by corporate strategy and performance director John Paton that it was premature to give any guarantee the project costs would be refunded through the developer contribution scheme until that was adopted in late June.
Similarly, the City will advise YBJV that it would be premature to promise to release findings of its audit into the processes, procedures and policies surrounding the negotiations before terms of reference had been set for the audit.
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READ NOWCouncillor Brett Treby moved an amendment to have the chief executive Daniel Simms, with support from legal advisors, negotiate with YBJV rather than legal firm Squire Sanders.
Cr Treby said it was an opportunity for the council to send a message that the project should be negotiated at the most-senior levels of both organisations.
Deputy Mayor Laura Gray said councillors had acted in good faith throughout the negotiations.
Although the council resolved not to advance the Charnwood Park oval proposal, Cr Gray said she hoped it would remain on the table after the Yanchep playing fields were resolved because the community would continue to grow.
Cr Dianne Guise declared a financial interest for receiving campaign money from the developer at the 2011 local government mayoral elections, and left the room. Planning and sustainability director Len Kosova declared an interest for having an employment-related discussion with the developer. YBJV declined to comment on the May 28 decision.