RESIDENTS in High Wycombe South say they have been left tens of millions of dollars out of pocket by state planning decisions made more than a decade ago.

During public question time at the City of Kalamunda’s September council meeting, resident Michael Ryan said the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) changed the zoning of stage 3 land from light industrial to residential in 2014 without adequate consultation.

Mr Ryan said the move had cost ratepayers around $30 million and private landholders $120m, adding up to about $150m in total losses.

“The decision by the planning commission resulted in losses to ratepayers in the amount of $30m … and also the landowners in stage 3 who have lost about $120m as properties begin to sell and the losses are realised,” he said.

Mr Ryan called on the city to provide a detailed list of planning mechanisms, legislation and correspondence exchanged with the WAPC, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) and the Minister for Planning leading up to the decision.

City of Kalamunda development services director Nathan Ritchie said the city had already provided significant correspondence via freedom of information requests and other channels.

“I’m not aware of anything new that we have on file or record that you don’t already possess,” he said

“With respect to your numbers and the forecast loss, I can’t provide comment on that.

“(Those are) statements made by yourself.”

Mr Ryan said the reply was inadequate and that he would pursue the matter further with the state government.

He also asked the city to confirm whether it had sought guidance on applying the principles of the State Administrative Tribunal’s 2015 decision when considering development approvals and land-use buffers.

“I don’t think the SAT’s ever been mentioned by the planning department,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ritchie said no further records were held beyond what had already been provided.

Mr Ryan then asked the city to revisit answers around a July 2014 email, saying past responses had not resolved concerns.

Mr Ritchie agreed to review previous replies and publish an update in future minutes.

Mr Ryan said government planning processes were “decimating” property prices, and leaving many long-term landholders with no choice but to sell at below-market value.

“The government policy effectively says wither and die here or succumb to accepting low market values if you want to leave,” he said.

Mr Ritchie rejected the suggestion there was a written government policy to that effect, but acknowledged the area was earmarked for transition to higher-density residential development.

“I am not aware that the city nor government has any policy position with respect to what you put forward,” he said.

“I am aware that the area has facilitated rezoning, structure planning and a draft development contribution plan to enable that area to transition towards residential development.

“I am aware that there’s been significant decisions made historically over time to enable that area to transition to a denser urban pattern.

“I am unaware, nor do I think there is such a document of what you’re looking for that puts forward a position of government that seeks to sterilize land holdings on their behalf to achieve that outcome.

“I think that’s not factual.”

Mr Ryan said that was not what he said and that the government policy effectively meant residents stayed and endured or sold at much lower rates than the property was worth.

“Those are the choices people have and that is not a published policy but that is the result of the way they do things,” he said.

Mr Ritchie said he apologised for misinterpreting Mr Ryan’s question, but he still stood by his previous comments.

“The area is set for redevelopment for residential purposes and there is much to do in that area to enable that to occur and we don’t want to pay for it,” he said.

“Let the government pay for it.”

The debate comes amid an ongoing market-led proposal lodged with the city and WAPC, which Mr Ryan said could deliver around 800 homes in the first seven years.

He urged bipartisan cooperation to resolve what he said was a saga spanning both Liberal and Labor governments since 2014.

In Kalamunda to advocate for High Wycombe South plan, the city resolved to advocate for securing $42m in funding to establish critical infrastructure.

Back in May, North West Ward councillor and deputy mayor Dylan O’Connor said High Wycombe South would live or die by the state’s activity in the area.

“The fact is that infrastructure is needed and we need enabling infrastructure to be paid for and funded by the state government to be able to get this place to move,” he said.

“It’s out there – the state government needs to listen and respond.”