VRRA said the planning amendment would pave the way for further development that would fundamentally destroy the character of The Vines.

VRRA calls for rejection of Vines amendment

The Vines Residents and Ratepayers Association is urging the WAPC to reject a proposed amendment to The Vines’ development plan citing strong community opposition.
December 19, 2024
Anita McInnes

THE Vines Residents and Ratepayers Association (VRRA) is calling on the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) to listen to the big percentage of people against proposed amendment 9 to The Vines outline development plan 3.

In a statement VRRA said 90 per cent of the community, the entire City of Swan council and Swan Hills MLA Jessica Shaw were united in opposition to the proposal and the WAPC should “reject this application to prevent irreversible harm to the environmental, tourism and recreational value of The Vines”.

The proposed amendment prepared by Hatch on behalf of the golf course owners – The Vines WA – includes a new two-storey driving range facility to the north of the clubhouse within the existing golf course area, changing the existing driving range to an R40 zoning enabling the development of over 55s housing and perimeter public open space areas, delivering medium density housing options adjacent the resort centre and amending the land to residential R60 and creating a 14-hole short course.

VRRA said The Vines WA proposal to modify the structural plan of the Vines golf course from recreation and tourism to residential land use (including high density R60 housing) would fundamentally and irreparably change the character and nature of the area forever.

“This application by Vines WA gives rise to the exact same concerns that led the JDAP to reject its earlier iteration in 2023, failing to present the full extent of the plan and underrepresenting the scope and impact of this planning change on The Vines community,’’ the statement said.

At the December 11 council meeting Tim Trefry from Urban Solutions gave a deputation supporting the proposed amendment.

He said The Vines was 30-years-old and needed to be upgraded to stay an attractive amenity with two-storey driving ranges, the fence would be 20m away from residents, existing golf holes were remaining and residents had been advised all the golf holes were to remain.

Cr Aaron Bowman declared an impartiality interest and an apprehended bias in the item as he was a past chair of the VRRA as well as a long-term resident of The Vines.

He said it was important he explained his reason for declaring an apprehended bias.

He quoted a Peppermint Grove issue where a councillor voted on an item, which Cr Bowman believed was passed unanimously, and the applicant challenged it on an apprehended bias.

After explaining why he did not want to risk the applicant having any reason to challenge the decision he left the chamber so did not vote on the item.

The 14 remaining councillors voted to recommend to the WAPC that the amendment be refused for reasons including that prohibitive elements such as three emerging safety hazards created by the proposed modifications, absence of bushfire emergency plans and the adverse impact of higher traffic volumes expected to be generated by the proposed additional housing and driving range facility had not been adequately addressed.

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