Metronet rail extension to Yanchep.
Camera IconMetronet rail extension to Yanchep. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Metronet proposes planning control areas for Yanchep extension

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

A WANNEROO Council report has labelled a Metronet proposal to create special control areas around train stations an “unnecessarily ‘broad-brush’ approach”.

Planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson said Metronet wanted to create planning control areas around the Yanchep, Eglinton and Alkimos stations.

Proposed Yanchep planning control area.
Camera IconProposed Yanchep planning control area. Credit: Supplied/Lucy Jarvis
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Mr Dickson said the proposal would make the WA Planning Commission the authority that determined applications within those special control areas, rather than the City.

“The City would receive those development applications and provide a recommendation- it would be the State Government that would determine those applications,” he said.

Mr Dickson said the City received a letter about the proposal in late February, inviting its comments, and the main concern was that the boundaries were too large.

The letter said the WAPC would not be required to advertise development applications under a planning control area, though it may notify surrounding residents if deemed necessary.

Planning control area planned for Bayswater station

The City’s response, endorsed by the council in March, said the size of the special control areas should be reduced so only key infrastructure was included.

Yanchep station precinct.
Camera IconYanchep station precinct. Credit: Supplied/Lucy Jarvis

“It should be limited to works associated with railway and infrastructure,” Mr Dickson said.

“All other development approvals should remain with the City.”

The council report said provision of infrastructure could be facilitated by declaring planning control areas over station precincts without the need for planning control areas to encompass the entire activity centres of Yanchep, Alkimos and Eglinton.

Future fares to be reviewed

At the recent Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association meeting, Butler MLA John Quigley’s electorate officer Alex Figg said there would be a review of how fares and zones are structured.

“We are looking at some way to lower fares up here,” Mr Figg said.

He said when the Yanchep rail line opened, commuters could pay about $20 to $21 for a normal adult fare to get to Perth and back every day.

Mr Figg said the Public Transport Authority had also advised it would review bus services, including whether to provide routes to Seatrees and Breakwater estates in Two Rocks, closer to when the Yanchep rail extension opened.