THE Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has deferred making a final decision on the Madora Bay North outline development plan (ODP) to seek more information.
The commission’s Statutory Planning Committee was due to make a decision on the development earlier this month, however chose to defer in order to clarify their legal position as well as confirm details of the site.
A report by WAPC officers recommended the committee approve a modified version of the ODP endorsed by City of Mandurah councillors in October.
The WAPC will investigate whether legally they have the “ability to modify an ODP” and approve one that differs to the local government approved one.
Before the committee makes a final decision they will also carry out a site visit to examine key difference between the plans and have a meeting with the City of Mandurah to discuss the observations.
Mandurah Mayor Marina Vergone said the City was very pleased to be given the opportunity to speak directly to the relevant member of the WAPC.
“The City believes that the WAPC will be better informed following the discussion, which will lead to the WAPC making a better informed decision,” she said. “The meeting will provide an opportunity for the City to explain the council decision and to answer any questions posed by the WAPC.”
The ODP covers an area of about 143 hectares at Lot 101 Mandurah Road, Madora Bay, bound by Singleton and Madora Bay, and seeks to facilitate the development of the site for 1500 residential lots.
Madora Bay and Singleton residents held community information sessions to devise an alternate ODP when it first went to council mid last year.
The council-endorsed ODP was considered by councillors as a compromise between the plan put forward by applicant CLE Town Planning and Design, on behalf of Madora Bay Partnerships, and the one devised by the community.
Local resident Craig Salt, who organised the community ODP alternative, said he was cautiously optimistic that the extra time the WAPC giving the decision will work in the residents and City’s favour.
“There’s this mythology created that the developer always wins, which undermines the City,” he said. “If people think this they won’t stand up for future developments because they don’t think it will make a difference. So this is bigger than Madora Bay; it goes beyond that.”
David Templeman, Mandurah MLA, said he believed it was “an excellent sign” for the community that the WAPC deferred the decision.
“It isn’t a first but it’s certainly rare that the WAPC does a site visit,” he said. “The community in its persistence have been very efficient in the way of getting their modified ODP heard.
“I keep coming back to the fact it’s our last piece of undeveloped land on our northern coastline. We need to be mindful of what we do with it. We have the opportunity to do something which is a win for those who choose to live there and those who choose to go there.”
A WAPC spokesperson said it is expected a final decision will be made in May.
