WATTLE Grove South residents have expressed deep disappointment following the City of Kalamunda Council’s decision last week to support the proposed Wattle Grove South Structure Plan prepared by Hesperia Pty Ltd and Jardim Property Group.

The decision comes despite strong and consistent community opposition, with 77 submissions opposing the proposal, as well as unresolved concerns raised by multiple government agencies regarding infrastructure, environmental impacts and public health.

Wattle Grove South environmental group EcoVision coordinators Bev and Charles Dornan said the decision was not simply disappointing in outcome but concerning in the way it was reached.

“What troubled many residents was not just the decision itself, but the unchallenged mischaracterisation of the planning framework as well as the apparent lack of rigorous scrutiny applied to the issues before council, especially considering the number of public sector agencies that did not unequivocally support the plan,” Mrs Dornan said.

“A key concern raised by residents is that several councillors appeared to proceed on the assumption that urbanisation of Wattle Grove South is inevitable,” she said.

She said Cr David Modolo, the mover of the motion described the issue as “run and done” and “settled within the broader planning framework”- a position not supported by the state’s own planning framework.

“The now outdated North-East Sub-Regional Planning Framework clearly states that land identified for ‘urban investigation’ does not represent any commitment to rezone or develop, but rather requires further detailed assessment before any such decision can be made.

“Urbanisation is not a foregone conclusion, and it is not ‘run and done’ as stated by Cr Modolo,” Mrs Dornan said.

“It is a decision that must be properly justified, tested and lawfully made - and many in the community do not believe that threshold has been met,” she said.

“Importantly, several key government agencies have either not supported the structure plan or have made their position conditional on significant unresolved issues being addressed to their satisfaction.”

She said for example, the Department of Health does not support the structure plan in the absence of reticulated sewerage and has also raised concerns about historical land contamination, and the Water Corporation has confirmed that reticulated sewerage is neither planned nor funded within its current five-year capital works program.”

Residents are also concerned that the structure plan has been advanced ahead of rezoning, contrary to the established principles of orderly and proper planning in Western Australia.

Mrs Dornan said further resident concerns include lack of confirmed sewer and infrastructure provision, incomplete environmental assessment processes, outstanding objections from key agencies and questions around whether the proposal has been progressed in accordance with proper planning sequence.

“Despite these issues, council voted 6 to 1 in favour of supporting the structure plan,” she said.

The meeting drew a large and engaged public turnout, with the public gallery filled and an overflow, highlighting the depth of concern within the community.

“The standard of deputations was exceptional - respectful, informed and deeply committed to protecting the future of this area.”

In contrast to the majority decision, Mrs Dornan widely praised deputy Mayor Kathy Ritchie.

“Cr Ritchie demonstrated careful, principled and well-informed leadership,” she said.

“Her speech reflected a genuine understanding of the planning framework and the issues at stake.

“She reflected on previous council decisions and policies, and the environmental significance of the area and her speech was an excellent example of the level of scrutiny and independent thinking the community expects from its elected representatives.”

“Despite the significance of the decision to so many Wattle Grove families, two councillors voted to support the structure plan without providing any individual reasoning whatsoever ”

The structure plan will now be referred to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), where it will undergo further assessment, if the WAPC approves future rezoning.

Residents have indicated they will continue to engage constructively in that process.

“This is not the end of the matter,” Mrs Dornan said.

“There is still a long way to go, and we remain committed to ensuring that decisions about Wattle Grove South are made on the basis of proper planning, sound evidence and genuine community consideration.”