THE Vines Residents and Ratepayers Association (VRRA) is determined to continue its opposition to a proposed redevelopment of The Vines following a decision by the statutory planning committee (SPC) on Wednesday.

Yesterday a VRRA spokesman said “regrettably”, the statutory planning committee (SPC) voted to accept the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage officers’ recommendation for the modified amendment to the outline development plan The Vines No 37 to be resubmitted to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) for its consideration.

The spokesman said the VRRA committee did an outstanding job in providing evidence to the SPC why the application should not be approved.

“Our thanks also to Swan councillor Charlie Zannino, Swan Hills MLA Michelle Maynard, Gavan Troy and the Swan Valley Tourism Alliance, along with all contributors for their valuable contributions, including our legal and planning team,’’ the spokesman said.

“It is no reflection on them that the evidence was largely ignored.’’

While the result was not what VRRA was hoping for he said some significant concessions had been made – with the owners confirming to the SPC there would be no housing on the existing golf course, holes 3-11 of Ellenbrook would remain a stand-alone 9-hole course, the championship course would remain as the members 18, holes 1-8 on the Lakes course would be developed as a 14-hole short course, the land at Lot 407 –  the grassed area out front of the chapel – could not be R60 (now R40 only) and that no construction could appear in front of the existing condominiums and the driving range would be relocated in front of the resort on Lakes 9.

“It is important to remember that without the tireless VRRA campaign and the enthusiastic support of members and the community, we would already have lost nine holes of the golf course and be dealing with higher density housing,’’ the spokesman said.

“This is our first setback in four years of campaigning – this is not over.’’

The agenda notes relating to attending officers Metro North assistant planning director Andrew Cook, Metro North East assistant planning manager Mario Carbone and Metro North East assistant senior planner Michaela Trlin said the existing outline development plan provided the planning framework to guide the development of The Vines area.

“The proposed outline development plan amendment seeks to facilitate a new two-storey driving range facility to the north of the club house within the existing golf course area and additional residential development and public space.’’

Robert Bradbury from Friends of The Vines Bushland and Swan Communities Environmental Alliance questioned the accuracy of the DPLH report on the critically endangered Carnaby’s’ cockatoos.

Mr Bradbury said the claim no roost sites were recorded near the project area as part of the 2019 Great Cocky Count was incorrect.

“On pages 714 and 715, it clearly documents that there are at least 16 roosts in the area that need to be taken into consideration,” he said.

This includes a cockatoo roost on Lot 1003 itself, which is a roost that recorded cockatoos being present in the 2019 survey – and present every year thereafter.

“This proof is provided by both Birdlife Org – the authors of the Great Cocky Count report and by the person who undertook the survey in 2019.’’

Dixon Lowe said the SPC had heard the community’s opposition to the proposal in an internal survey 91 per cent of 1074 said no to The Vines redevelopment plan,  90 per cent of 401 submissions objected to the proposed amendment, 2022 signed a petition to the WA Legislative Assembly objecting to the gaming of state planning, twice the City of Swan council voted unanimously (14-0) against their own staff report and MOJDAP rejected parts of the application.

“In four years, the community have spent over $100,000, donated to stop this redevelopment plan.

“For us this is real, an unwarranted threat to our Australian dream.’’

Justin Purslowe provided a deputation as a member of the golfing community at The Vines Golf Resort and Country Club.

“I stand before you today on behalf of the golfing members and the broader golfing community at The Vines Golf Resort – wanting to highlight three key areas: 1) impact on golfing facilities 2) lack of consultation and community harm 3) inconsistency with regional needs,’’ he said.

“The vast majority of the golfing community oppose the proposed amendment to reduce the course from 36 to 18 holes including the proposed redevelopment of the driving range and short course.

“This amendment threatens not only the integrity of the golf courses but the lack of public access to playing golf and the community’s investment from both a financial and amenity perspective.’’