Perth Voice Interactive

BAYSWATER mayor Sylvan Albert wants his council to extend public consultation on its $25 million revamp of the Frank Drago reserve, following community backlash over a “flawed” consultation process.

The masterplan for the site was released Friday, giving the public just three days to submit and prepare deputations for the Monday night committee meeting.

“The masterplan did not address or respond to any of the concerns expressed by local residents and local sporting clubs,” says ratepayer Christina Araujo.

“Furthermore, it is particularly concerning to see statements such as the following included in the document: ‘All people who provided comment were very satisfied with being consulted in the development of the master plan and extremely impressed with the process deployed, and hope and except to be consulted again when the option are presented to council and released to the community.’

“This statement is simply not true and council has also yet to provide any response to the petition delivered.”

In May the council unveiled its draft masterplan for the site, but petitioners claim soccer, tennis, bowling and croquet clubs that share the reserve had unequal input.

Critics argued the football club was the big winner at the expense of the smaller clubs.

Cr Albert says council staff had been under time-pressure to deliver the latest version of the masterplan.

“We would have liked to have made the plan available sooner and despite the fact the document was still being proof-read, we put the plan up on the website on Friday at the same time the report was made available to councillors for the next committee meeting of council,” he says.

“The city had already advised via Facebook on Tuesday, August 11, that the plan would be available at the end of the week and on Friday we also put up a link from Facebook to the plan to make it easier for people to find.

“I am aware that there is community concern that the consultation process has been flawed.”

The masterplan includes a nature-themed play space, dedicated zones for dog walkers, and more parking.

In the event there is no consultation extension, the council is set to vote on the masterplan next week.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK