Perth Voice Interactive

A FAMILY’S “dream home” in North Perth has turned into “nothing but a headache and a disappointment” after neighbours opposed the two-storey plans.

The Barbas family lodged an application with Vincent council in November 2022 to build a four-bedroom house on Auckland Street.

Under setback guidelines, approval should automatically be given if the house is at least seven metres from the street, but the awkard shape of the 353sqm block, a 2.5m sewer easement on the rear boundary and an angled road on the other side would leave the family a tiny 94sqm triangle to build on if they were applied.

Setbacks

Vincent planning staff have recommended councillors reduce the setbacks to less than three metres, given other shorter-than-usual setbacks in the street and to avoid the block remaining eternally empty.

In the first round of community consultation in January and February, nine objections were lodged with the council. The main complaints were the small setbacks – especially those that would abut the neighbouring houses – and some complained of the house being two storeys (which is allowed in that area).

The Barbas amended their plans twice to increase the setbacks and rejig some other areas of complaint. A second round of consultation brought in more complaints. 

One neighbour was concerned about a pool below a balcony, “due the possible situation where people jump into the pool” but planning staff deemed it “not a relevant planning consideration”.

More amendments followed and the plans were presented to the June 13 council briefing, where again the Barbas faced stern opposition from locals who did not want the house so close.

Prospective next-door neighbour Fiona Hunter said the council staff had been “strict” about setbacks when she was building her home, and the same standards weren’t being applied to the Barbas’ plans.

Low-level

Other neighbours speaking at the briefing said the Barbas’ amendments had been “low-level” and they didn’t feel their submissions had resulted in anything but “negligible” changes. 

One of the applicants, Frida Barbas, held back tears as she told councillors, “My husband and I have worked all our lives towards the goal of owning and building our own house, a place my two children and grandchildren can call home.

“When we purchased this block in 2021 we were so excited with the idea of building our dream home – nothing too fancy, but enough for a comfortable home.

“It has been emotionally stressful and put a financial strain on our lives as we are paying rent whilst paying off a mortgage, and you know those interest rates are going up faster than anything.

“We believe we had the raw end of the deal and we’re all only seeking now is to find a middle ground that doesn’t see us continue to make more sacrifices and changes than what we currently made to get here.”

Councillors vote on whether to approve the plans at the June 20 meeting, with neighbours hoping to meet councillors on-site.