HIGH WYCOMBE residents asked the City of Kalamunda for historical planning records and to explain how the interface between residential properties and the stage 1 industrial area was formed.

During the December council meeting, High Wycombe resident Michael Ryan asked the city to provide answers on the financial losses he claims residents in the suburb have suffered as a consequence of inaction.

City of Kalamunda chief executive Andrew Vuleta said while some matters had been addressed previously, the city will endeavour to make a public statement in response to his questions.

Mr Ryan then asked the city to provide a list of all industries operating within the Forrestfield and High Wycombe industrial development zone and their land-use classifications as set out in local planning scheme 3.

City of Kalamunda development services director Nathan Ritchie said the scale of the request required clarification.

“It could be quite a significant task to provide the whole area, their planning approvals and their classification,” he said.

Mr Ryan’s primary concern centred on the lack of a buffer between the industrial zone and the residential zones in the area.

He asked the city to explain their methodology as residents felt they were left with no separation between the two zones and were exposed to loud noises and strong odours due to the inappropriate distance management and zoning.

He said residents had never been told “how the width of the road finished up being the buffer,” and questioned how heavy-industry operations had “come to sit 30m across the road”.

Mr Ritchie said the city would need to review historical material before providing an answer.

“Because it’s a history-based question we’ll need to take that on notice and come back to you with some more detail,” he said.

“We’ll do our best to unearth the records of what we have.”

Mr Ryan also asked whether council would write to the Premier supporting landowners’ ability to draw down equity while the area remains in transition.

Mr Ritchie said the city would prepare advice for councillors.

“We can put it to the council about whether or not they wish to support your request… and we’ll need to take some of that on notice,” he said.

The concerns follow earlier questions Mr Ryan raised at the September meeting regarding the impacts of zoning changes dating back to 2014 as reported in High Wycombe South residents call for state action.

Mr Ryan felt that he was unable to sell his land to developers as his land was zoned as high density residential, which did not appeal to developers since the city had allowed the development of a steel fabrication plant across from his neighbourhood on Sultana Road West.

At the December meeting, Mr Ryan said residents “anxiously await an answer about the buffer.”

The city said it was working with state agencies and will respond formally once its review of historical records was complete.