MUNDARING’S public question time during their most recent council meeting highlighted that residents can have a say in how they see land in their areas being developed.

Darlington Residents and Ratepayers Association member Louise Stelfox brought up the matter of a lack of housing for older residents in Darlington during public question time.

“The recent application by the (Plymouth Brethren Christian Church) to develop 7 Hardy Road in Glen Forrest got me thinking,” she said.

“I went to the development assessment panel and that evening there was a meeting and protest of people at 7 Hardy Road, at which a number of oldies were present.

“Some of those people wanted to downsize into a smaller property in Glen Forrest, and there was a young lady there with her child who said, ‘My grandmother wanted to downsize in Glen Forrest, and she wasn’t able to, so she had to move down the hill’.

“In Darlington there are a number of oldies who are actually part of the engine room of the community, and it wouldn’t be the same without them.

“Without somewhere smaller for them to live, they probably wouldn’t be in Darlington, and they wouldn’t be adding to the fabric and diversity that is in Darlington.

“My question to the shire is, is it time for the shire to allocate land for smaller lots in each village or community centre within the shire?

“People in a village centre, they don’t necessarily want to downsize and move to Mundaring because they’re not in their community.

“They want to be with the people they know and spend time with.

“Someone may not go and see someone elderly who’s moved from Darlington, Boya, Swan View to Mundaring because it’s a big trip to go up there.”

Mundaring chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker said the timing of Ms Stelfox’s question was great as council recently resolved to review its local planning strategy and local planning scheme.

“Part of that process will involve public consultation and that’s the opportunity for the community to have input into how they see each of the individual areas progressing from a land use point of view,” he said.

“There will be the opportunity for council to reassess its position in terms of the density of development that might be occurring in those areas.

“Certainly, something the council can consider.”

Ms Stelfox said she would like to see the shire working with state government and developers to make smaller lot residences in the further communities mentioned.

“My question is, is the shire willing to purchase land in areas which could be developed for these smaller lot residences for old people?” she said.

Mr Whiteaker said there was no direct intent now, but council was looking at exploring a land rationalisation strategy to identify existing land holdings and what potential future uses might occur.

“From council’s perspective, and through our shire president who’s been advocating strongly on behalf of the community, our aim is to attract private investment to provide these services and facilities back to our community,” he said.

“Just a point in respect to the Hardy Road development approval that was recently granted — that certainly doesn’t preclude the remainder of that site being developed for aged care.

“Along with the planning staff, we’ve been proactive in engaging with that group to see if there is an appetite for that kind of development to occur.”

Residents can take part in the consultation process and have their say by visiting Mundaring’s engagement portal.