Media Release - Claremont Council disillusioned by WAPC decision

MEDIA RELEASE

Claremont Council disillusioned by WAPC decision

The 19 storey tower that was approved by the WA Planning Commission on Thursday 1 June has left the Town of Claremont Council totally disillusioned at the State’s planning process.

Over the last few years, the Town of Claremont has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on progressing the Local Planning Strategy (LPS) and a Structure Plan for the Town centre in the expectation that these documents would provide the planning rationale for the WAPC to make a decision on this application.  Instead, it seems that these documents have been ignored.  Furthermore, the Town has been criticised for not sufficiently progressing its local planning framework.

Mayor Barker said, “To say the Town of Claremont is extremely disappointed in the WAPC decision is an understatement, given that we have worked together with the State in good faith for many years to deliver density growth targets in the Town.  In fact, the Town of Claremont is a leader in this respect.”

“The development of the draft LPS and Structure Plan has involved businesses and community members and is based on ‘orderly and proper’ planning of the Town centre. The approval of this development pays no regard to these draft plans”.

The approved development is approximately twice the height and plot ratio provided for by the Town’s draft Structure Plan and the Department’s preferred R-Coding for the property.  Based on the R-Codes requirements, the variations are considered excessive and unreasonable.

The Claremont Council will be gathering to discuss this issue early next week.

-ENDS-

CONTACT

Ashley Rush

Manger Communications and Customer Relations

P: 9285 4300 E: media@claremont.wa.gov.au