YBJV director Gin Wah Ang (pictured) spoke to elected members before the June 25 council meeting, confirming that his board had agreed to resume negotiations for a deed of agreement with the City of Wanneroo.
‘While the city has not agreed to all conditions (set by the developer in April), we believe there is sufficient grounds to resume,’ Mr Ang said.
‘The needs of the community must come first.’
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READ NOWThe council decided to support some conditions at the May 28 meeting, including not to explore other options for sporting facilities in Yanchep and Two Rocks, and retain state funding for the project.
However, at the time, elected members also endorsed recommendations that it would be premature to guarantee the project would be funded through developer contributions until the Planning Minister gazetted changes to the district planning scheme.
Mr Ang said YBJV wanted the deed of agreement to be finalised within two calendar months, and they were reassured by the city’s chief executive Daniel Sims’s involvement in negotiations.
‘It is my hope that this is my last time I need to speak (at a council meeting) on this matter,’ he said.
‘I would also hope (the city starts to) see this Yanchep active open space as a community opportunity rather than a liability.’
Mayor Tracey Roberts said both organisations had a shared vision for the project.
Later, during the meeting, councillors adopted the city’s annual budget, which included $1.55 million in state funding, contributions and municipal funds for the Yanchep district sports building, another $1.36 million for the playing fields and $850,000 for an access road to the ovals.