Published Echo News January 1, 2023

RESIDENTS will have 42 days to comment on the North Stoneville SP34 amendment before the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) decides whether or not to approve the amended structure plan.
As Save Perth Hills prepares for a big rally against the North Stoneville proposal there has been some community concern they will get little say at this stage of the process.
According to a North Stoneville SP34 post on WA.gov.au full details of the proposal will be made available when it is advertised.
After receipt of Satterley’s amended structure plan, the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage (DPLH), on behalf of the WAPC, will invite submissions from the community, the Shire of Mundaring and government agencies including the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
“Following advertising, as invited by the SAT, the WAPC will make a decision whether or not to approve the amended structure plan,’’ the North Stoneville SP34 post said.
“Details of future WAPC meeting dates at which the WAPC will consider the amended structure plan will be available following the close of advertising.’’
Details such as making personal submissions to WAPC meetings will also be included.Save Perth Hills chairman Peter Brazier said the community will be urged to ‘say no again’ when the amended plan is released for public comment.
“Save Perth Hills remains opposed to urbanisation of the North Stoneville land given increasing bushfire risks, and the permanent and proven extreme bushfire zone surrounding the site, which includes ember-attack reach of John Forrest National Park,” he said.
Satterley is developing the North Stoneville land - an area of undeveloped urban zoned land north of the existing Stoneville townsite - for the Perth Diocesan Trustees.
Since Satterley made an application to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) in August 2020 after the refusal of North Stoneville SP34 by the WAPC in July 2020 there have been about nine mediation sessions.
On November 4 last year SAT ordered that by January 31 this year Satterley is to provide to the WAPC an amended structure plan (including parts one and two, and all technical appendices) and any supporting information.
Next the WAPC is invited to reconsider its refusal decision on or before June 30 and then by July 10 the WAPC must file with SAT and give to Satterley a statement of its decision upon reconsideration.
Then by July 24 Satterley must notify SAT and the WAPC in writing that either: a) It is content with the reconsidered decision, and wishes to withdraw the proceeding; or b) It is not content with the reconsideration decision, and provide a statement with brief contentions addressing each aspect of the decision it is not content with.
The parties have the liberty to apply for an alteration but the matter is listed for a directions hearing on July 28.
Stoneville-Parkerville Progress Association (SPPA) president Jo Sheil said Satterley’s timing of the amended plan is insensitive and insulting to the local community.
“Satterley’s intention to re-launch this plan on January 31, at the height of our bushfire season, and on the eve of the second anniversary of the Wooroloo Bushfires, illustrates a complete lack of understanding of our Community’s bushfire risks and realities,” she, said.
The Stoneville Community Garden is funded by governments in recognition of SPPA’s efforts to create a place for firefighters to re-group and recover from the stresses of fighting bushfires, as well as for those impacted by the 2008 and 2014 bushfires.’
The community rally is on February 5 at Sculpture Park.