Perth Voice Interactive

Bus boo hoo
OUR bus route will soon be gone. We will be left to walk even further for another bus. Oh, who am I kidding? Nobody gives a shit. I am sorry.  I won’t bother you anymore.
Robert Mcauley
Bonnievale St, Mt Hawthorn

Most will be happy
I REFER to the article “Hopes flattened,” (Voice, January 23, 2016).
I gave careful consideration to all comments when I determined Amendment No. 40 to the City of Vincent’s Town Planning Scheme No. 1.
However, the purpose of the amendment has primarily been addressed through the recent changes to the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes), which came into effect in October 2015.
These changes reinstated the site area per dwelling requirements for apartments that were in place in the City of Vincent and elsewhere prior to 2010, limiting the number of apartments that can be built on blocks zoned R30 and R35. For example, if a block zoned R30 in Mt Hawthorn has the potential to accommodate four townhouses, only four apartments can be built.
From an amenity perspective, both townhouse and apartment developments in these areas would look similar, as the built form requirements will be the same, including the height limit. The 2015 changes to the R-Codes were in direct response to community and local government feedback and will ensure the number of dwellings on a block is appropriate for the location. By prohibiting apartment developments across the board as Amendment 40 had proposed, many City of Vincent residents looking to downsize or buy their first place would be left with limited options.
It is the State Government’s responsibility to allow for a diversity of well-designed and well-located housing choices to meet the varied needs of the community. In summary, the changes reinstate the provisions which were in place in the City of Vincent prior to 2010, and remove the floor space incentive to build apartments in R30 and R35 areas. I believe this will address the majority of community concerns.
John Day
Planning Minister