A development application for ‘site remediation – extractive industry’ at 1201 Chittering Road – now an inactive quarry – was received by the City in February and put out for public comment last month.
Chittering Road resident Amanda Tan lives 1500m from the proposed site but her property borders it. She said she believed her and other nearby residents should have been notified by the council of the proposal.
“I found out through another concerned citizen doing a letterbox drop of a flyer they’d made up,” she said. “This was only six days before submissions closed.
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“As a ratepayer, you can’t help feeling under-valued and disappointed in the council.”
However, acting chief executive Jim Coten said the City wrote to residents in close proximity to the proposed site last month.
“The development application in question has been advertised in accordance with the City’s Local Town Planning Scheme No. 17,” he said. “On August 9, the City sent written notification to all residents living within 500 metres of the property in question.
“The City also erected two signs on site advising of the proposal and opportunity to make submissions, and placed a notice in the Advocate newspaper and on the City website.”
Ms Tan said she believed at least 15 residents had put in objections to the council.
“There were more who had requested extensions and more information, but they are yet to receive a call back,” she said.
“There is a general feel about this proposal being a ‘done deal’.
“Advertising was minimal to comply with planning guidelines, with minimal public information.”
Mr Coten said the City of Swan was in the process of going through the submissions.
“The submission period for the development application closed on September 7,” he said.
“The City will now collate and assess all submissions received, including any issues and concerns.”
Ms Tan said residents’ main concerns were the change the proposal would bring to the area’s amenity.
“From my understanding, there would be four trucks going in and four trucks coming out of the site per hour for 11 hours a day,” Ms Tan said. “That is 88 trucks per day.
“Not only would it bring traffic congestion, but also losses of tourism, health issues including silicosis from the dust, and endanger children at the nearby school.
“Bullsbrook is becoming a dump.
“There are sandpits bordering the national park, a salvage yard which is distinguished by the litter out the front and now this.”