CITY of Kalamunda council has unanimously approved a motion to split the proposed local structure plan (LSP) for a High Wycombe precinct into two separate processes.
This will allow public advertising for the Hatch Court light industrial area to proceed while delaying consultation on the adjacent Stirling Crescent residential zone.
The decision at the September 22 ordinary council meeting gives the green light for formal public consultation to begin strictly on the 25.8 ha Hatch Court industrial hub, while deferring advertising for the 6ha Stirling Crescent residential plan.
The move marks the latest shift for the High Wycombe site since nearby residents first raised concerns over road links, heavy traffic, and industrial buffers, as reported in Hatch Court precinct road access to be reviewed.
Councillors David Modolo, Josh Clark, and Sue Bilich put forward the motion to revoke an August 25 decision that had frozen the entire LSP for 60 days while council staff communicated with Stirling Crescent residents.
Residential property owners on Stirling Crescent previously urged council at the meeting to freeze the proposal, citing a severe lack of consultation prior to the draft’s release.
In response, supporters of the split argued at the September 22 meeting that Hatch Court landowners have not objected to advertising and that ongoing delays were stalling active development applications across the site.
Hatch Court landowner Rodney Sully in a deputation to council said he supported the motion to revoke the August delay so landowners could gain planning certainty.
“The Hatch Court precinct landowners, who have a significantly larger stake holding, have not objected to the proposed advertising of the long-awaited local structure plan at all,” he said.
“For quality light industrial development to occur in Hatch Court, buyers and developers do not want the risks associated with a precinct still in limbo; they are looking for the certainty of a finalised LSP.”
Community members will be able to submit feedback on the draft Hatch Court light industrial precinct LSP once the public advertising period officially opens in the coming months.
