A DEVELOPER has scaled back plans to subdivide an area set aside for a park following a community backlash.
Residents of Breakwater estate in Two Rocks had objected to the developer’s plans to rezone a 4.67ha lot on the corner of Breakwater Drive and Oregano Drive.
They lodged 18 submissions during public consultation in late 2016 objecting to the proposal, which would have allowed creation of six extra lots in the semi-rural estate.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWTheir main concerns related to the loss of a recreational park, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services submitted an objection that it would create a cul-de-sac and battle-axe lots in a bushfire-prone area.
The issue arose again at this week’s Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association meeting, where representative Anne Zanke said “everyone is up in arms”.
“That corner block was meant to be a parkland,” she said.
A report on the City of Wanneroo council briefing the following night recommended councillors approve the amendment, which had changed since public consultation took place.
Discussion during the January 30 briefing revealed that the applicant, Mike Allen Planning, had submitted revised plans for the owner Kincardine Holdings, instead proposing to create four extra lots and a dry park.
“The changes were made in response to submitters and the concerns raised by administration,” the City’s planning implementation manager Pas Bracone said.
Mayor Tracey Roberts said it was important the wider community was aware of the changes.
“There’s a degree of confusion in the local community about what changes to what,” she said.
“It might be appropriate to have a community meeting, to make sure everyone is aware of what the changes are.”
Planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson agreed to withdraw the report from the February 6 council meeting agenda to give the City time to organise a meeting for residents.
MORE: Magistrate grants permission for elderly man facing child sex charges to travel overseas
MORE: Scorchers dumped out of BBL, ‘fan’ booted from game again
MORE: Federal Govt announces new improved meningococcal vaccine program