THE City of Belmont will seek more public input on a structure plan that could see areas around Ascot Racecourse redeveloped.
The Golden Gateway draft local plan recommends rezoning land to accommodate up to 3000 dwellings, a local retail centre and the creation of 6900sq m open space, as well as the relocation of roads and lot boundaries.
At last night’s council meeting councillor George Sekula moved an alternative motion to allow for further development of a consultation and engagement strategy, that would ensure workshopping and consideration on the horse racing industry, residents and businesses.
The engagement strategy includes sending letters to State Government agencies, putting a notice on the City’s website, an advertisement in the Southern Gazette, a visual display board sign at the entrance to the stables area at Epsom Avenue and Stoneham Street, sending letters to landowners and seeking more input from the WA Turf Club.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWCr Sekula as well as Deputy Mayor Robert Rossi and councillor Lauren Cayoun argued that more meaningful public consultation needed to occur before the motion was passed unanimously.
The City’s recommendation was for the draft to be endorsed and for it to be sent out for public consultation for a maximum 28 days, after which it would have returned to council to be considered by the WA Planning Commission.
At the August briefing session last week, Cr Rossi and Cr Cayoun expressed concern over the changes proposed in the draft and said notification for comment from affected residents was not substantial enough.