Stirling council to tell WALGA it wants greater application for third party appeal rights

STIRLING council wants greater application for third party planning appeal rights.

Councillors voted unanimously at the February 20 meeting to reaffirm in-principle support for the appeal rights to the WA Local Government Association (WALGA).

They also recommended it be referred to the State Government for incorporation into its current planning system review and that rights should apply to structure, activity centre and local development plans as well as Development Assessment Panels (DAPs).

Following two rounds of consultation with local governments, WALGA is seeking support for a model that would allow councils and residents to appeal only DAP decisions.

A City of Stirling report presented at the meeting said there had been no majority support for introduction of the rights.

“Given the contentious nature of the subject and fundamental philosophical differences of view behind positions for and against, future majority consensus on form and scope is unlikely from WALGA members,” it said.

The report said pressure to introduce appeal rights could be alleviated if the State Government’s planning reform team implemented its objectives, which aim to make the planning system more open and transparent.

WALGA president Lynne Craigie said all submissions received from the local governments would be presented to the next State Council meeting on May 4.

“The submissions will help to determine whether WALGA needs to change its position on third party appeal rights, currently opposed,” she said.

“The State Government will be advised of the sectors recommendation after the meeting in May.”

The City of Subiaco council supports WALGA’s preferred model, which the Town of Victoria Park and the cities of South Perth, City of Perth, Vincent, Joondalup, Wanneroo and Fremantle previously gave support for third party planning appeal rights.

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