RESIDENTS at the Golden Bay Progress Association June 6 meeting were stunned to learn the next stage of the Golden Bay residential development has been approved.
Stage 5C was approved for development of 52 lots on June 7, 2018.
Peet Ltd representatives were at the meeting wanting community feedback on plans for a playground within the development.
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READ NOWSenior Development Manager Craig Raynor said planning had begun for the next stages.
“Yes we got approval for the next two stages,” he said.
Residents Sam Saltmarsh, Adam Bell, Karin Turner and City of Rockingham Councillor Mark Jones all said they weren’t aware of the approvals.
“I wasn’t aware of that – it has not come through the council,” Cr Jones said. “Why is there such a rush for this to go through – large blocks of land already aren’t selling?” said Ms Turner.
Mr Raynor said planning took “a long time” to go through.
The City of Rockingham remains opposed to the development due to its density and integration of Golden Bay and Secret Harbour.
Mayor Barry Sammels said Stage 5C of the development was given the nod by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
“Subdivision approvals are granted by the Western Australian Planning Commission, not the council,” he said.
“Stage 5A was granted subdivision approval by the WAPC in June 2017 for 88 lots and on June 7, 2018 Stage 5C was approved for 52 lots.
“Stage 5C also includes two public open space areas and a ‘Landscape Protection Area’.”
A spokeswoman confirmed the latest approval.
“On June 7, 2018 the WAPC granted conditional subdivision approval for the area referred by the developer as ‘Stage 5C’ for 52 residential lots, two public open spaces areas and a drainage reserve,” she said.
Peet Limited CEO Brendan Gore said the stages were already approved in 1994.
“Information about the amount of residential development planned for Golden Bay has been available to residents and others since the original Comprehensive Development Plan was developed and approved by local and state authorities in 1994,” he said.
He added that approvals were again given in 2012.