Perth Voice Interactive

A MAYLANDS resident stopped her seven-year-old daughter playing in the back garden after a worker urinated against her wall.

Michelle Smith says Bayswater city council’s approval of a three-storey development that looks directly into her garden and living room has ruined her family’s privacy.

Ms Smith says developers were told to erect privacy screens but never did, and now they’re trying to alter the terms of approval.

“It’s been horrendous, there’s a direct line of site into my living room,” she says.

“It’s impacted every aspect of our life and is making our day-to-day life a misery.

“The owner-developer now have the audacity to apply to reduce the required balcony screening to maintain their views to the hills.

“We feel this is an abuse of the planning process and are very disappointed and concerned that Bayswater council are considering the application.”

Mayor Sylvan Albert says the council will consider the issues at its November 18 meeting.

“The complaint regarding the anti-social behaviour being alleged is a matter that the owner may wish to refer to the WA police for investigation, as the city, although concerned, does not have the authority or power to resolve such issues,” he says.

Maylands Labor MP Lisa Baker says someone at council should be responsible for checking that developers comply with approval conditions.

“I know that Michelle and several neighbours made deputations to council with their concerns before the development was approved—it seems those concerns have not been addressed.”

Cr Terry Kenyon pushed for the council to appoint a planning compliance officer early this year. Stirling council has nine and Bayswater none, but his motion was defeated.

“The city’s system of compliance investigation is well-established,” says Cr Albert.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK