THE City of Kalamunda has moved to support the controversial Wattle Grove South development in a 6 to 1 vote, marking a significant step towards urbanisation of the area despite a decade of community resistance.

At the ordinary council meeting on March 24, Councillor David Modolo successfully moved an alternate motion to recommend approval of the plan to the Western Australian Planning Commission, if certain modifications to the plan were met.

As reported previously in Wattle Grove South rezoning opposition continues (Echo News, March 6), residents have strenuously objected to the proposed rezoning from rural to residential, with the public comment period last year collecting 116 submissions, with 77 of those objecting to the proposal and 26 in support.

Cr Modolo told the gallery he was acutely aware that people’s homes and lives were at stake but argued the council needed to act to maintain influence over the final outcome.

“If the matter proceeds without a clear and considered position from this council, there’s a real prospect the structure plan will be shaped elsewhere and not necessarily in a way that reflects the nuances of the community,” he said.

The approved modifications to the structure plan would focus on Precinct A, where many established businesses would have faced restrictive residential zoning under the original plan.

“A structure plan approved without modification would see existing lawful multigenerational businesses in precinct A move into a nonconforming position over time; they won’t be able to grow, and they’ll be edged out and kicked out,” Cr Modolo said.

Cr Modolo said the alternate motion was a practical way to support the progression of the structure plan while protecting the role of the area as a local employment hub.

“I can see how this issue in this area is playing out and I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing that we missed an opportunity to at least protect some in the precinct,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Kathy Ritchie spoke against the motion, questioning why the council could not maintain a variety of housing choices by keeping the area rural.

Cr Ritchie said the community remained heavily opposed to the land use change and raised concerns about potential loss of biodiversity that the envisioned housing development from the structure plan could bring.

“The process to urbanise Wattle Grove South has been extensive and exhausting across two decades,” she said.

“We as a council are aware of the canopy and biodiversity loss and the effects of rising temperatures which have and are occurring across the city.

“With the increased people comes increased heat, the noise of living, the cats and dogs… what of the nesting birds, the bobtails, the monitor lizards, and quenda’s? If they survive where do they go? Can they retreat to the other side of Crystal Brook Road?”

While Cr Ritchie recognised the developer’s commitment to preserve some of the local canopy, the fragmented greenery would not sustain the active native environment.

“I acknowledge the proponent’s commitment to retain some and plant additional trees but trees in isolation are not a viable ecosystem for the survival of the animals which live here,” she said.

“I would therefore ask that before you make a decision, consider what the majority of residents in this area have told us for a decade, and that you guard and protect for our children and grandchildren, what remails of the unique foothills’ ecosystem.”