Mandurah residents have a say about Sutton Farm plans

The City of Mandurah planning committee resolved to advertise the Sutton Farm local development plan during the meeting on Tuesday night, giving residents the opportunity to share their concerns and ideas before the plan gets the green light.

The redevelopment of the area surrounding the three heritage buildings, has been up for redevelopment for several years, sparking concerns among the community about the preservation on the site’s historical nature.

The Sutton Farm, constructed in the 1870’s, is of high historical importance for its link to the Sutton and Cooper families, some of the earliest European families to settle in the Peel region.

It features a homestead, a single men’s quarter, a barn and a family graveyard, and is bounded by Apollo Place and Old Coast Road to the east, short stay accommodation units to the north, a canal to the west and vacant residential lots to the south.

The development plan keeps the three historical buildings in the centre of a landscaped parkland area privately owned and managed but accessible to the public, as well as several Norfolk Island pines and olive trees in the northern side.

However, the areas along the northern and southern boundaries would be up for residential and tourist development, surrounding the public heritage space.

According to the City, the local development plan to be advertised for comment provides design guidelines and development control over the re-use of the heritage buildings and any proposed residential development.

Some of these include principles regarding setbacks, height, built form, fencing, orientation, materials, retaining wall treatments, separation to the northern boundary, vehicular access, car parking and separation from trees.

In order to deal with the future re-use of the heritage buildings, an access and management plan would need to be brought back to council. 

The plan will be advertised for 28 days, and will involve consultation with all relevant state government agencies and adjacent owners.