A group of Dalyellup residents have raised concerns following a land development proposal by Satterley.
The proposed development would see 22 hectares of land cleared in Greenpatch, off Maidment Parade to make way for 173 residential lots.
Dalyellup resident Kerry Bemrose said the general feeling in the community was that people would prefer to leave the site as it was.
“In this day and age when is enough, enough? You see aerial photos over the last 20 years and the amount of bushland that has been cleared, when do we stop?”
Concerned resident Peter Ashton said it was a breach of ethics and community trust.
“We have people in the community very upset as they were assured by the Satterley sales agents when they purchased land as far back as 2001, that this bush would not be developed as it was next to the contaminated Millennium chemical dump and it was a wildlife corridor for the Western Ringtail Possums,” he said.
Member for Bunbury Don Punch said he understood the concerns and supported the need to achieve a balance between future development and protecting the environment and unique character of Dalyellup.
“The best outcome for the community is one that enhances the established character of the area, is sensitive to the environment, is compliant with planning best practice and that adds to general amenity and the sense of community.”
Shire of Capel acting chief executive Jason Gick said Satterley had made significant modifications to the original proposal after the shire received 121 private submissions and a 727 signature petition objecting the plan.
“Given the changes proposed by the applicant and the length of time since the proposal was made, it is important the community has their say,” he said.
Mr Gick said all issues would need to be carefully considered by council before it was approved or refused.
Satterley general manager Kim Lawrance said all necessary investigations and reporting required for the submission of the Greenpatch Local Structure Plan to the Shire of Capel had been undertaken.
“The land has been zoned for future development since 1999 and does not form part of the Tuart Forest Regional Open Space.”
A community meeting will be held at Dalyellup Community Centre to discuss the modified proposal on January 31 from 4pm and February 1 from 9am.
For more information contact the Shire of Capel on 9727 0222.
