The Shire of Capel council chambers were full of residents eagerly waiting the decision on the proposed Greenpatch development on Thursday, April 26.
The proposed Local Structure Plan sought to facilitate around 213 residential lots including areas for regional open space, public open space, drainage and a community purpose sight.
However, the proposed area has garnered controversy because of its proximity to the former Cristal waste site.
Residents have been vocal about their concern for the development saying it could be a ‘multi-generational health risk’.
The shire of Capel took the proposal to the public in February 2017 and received 120 submissions all of which were rejecting the proposal.
In response to the submissions the plan was modified by development company Satterley and reduced the amount of residential lots and added measures such as a new access road onto Hutt Drive and minimising fire risk.
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The modified plan went back out to public consultation where it received objections as well as a petition with 1,397 against the proposal.
The Shire of Capel executive manager for engineering and development services Jason Gick recommended the council reject the proposal on environmental, fire risk, walk ability and land use conflict grounds.
The recommendation said the proposal ‘adversely impacts upon an area of conservation value and does not safeguard existing environmental and biodiversity assets’.
While it was a unanimous vote to support the recommendation, councillors were very vocal about listening to the community and acting on their concerns by rejecting the proposal.
Councillor Doug Kitchen said it was clear the community did not want the development to go ahead.
Councillor Michael Southwell said he had been opposing the development since the proposal came through.
The gallery were very vocal in their support for the council decision and applauded the vote.
Shire of Capel chief executive officer Paul Sheedy said the decision represents the culmination of more than 18 months work by staff.
Mr Sheedy said although the Council’s decision concludes the shire’s assessment, the ultimate decision by the WA Planning Commission would determine the future of the site.
Jemillah Dawson
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
