Perth Voice Interactive

Do as I say…

YOUR story about an Oxford Street development (“JDAPPED AGAIN,” Voice December 2, 2023) pointed out that the former Barnett government introduced Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) as a way of streamlining development approvals by reducing pressure from the community to influence planning decisions. 

The clear inference being that DAPS are a creation of the Liberal Party.

While this is correct, you failed to mention that the Labor government has been in power for nearly seven years, and they have not dispensed with DAPS. 

Quite the contrary, they have embraced DAPs, created a super-DAP (the State Development Assessment Unit), and have further removed elected representatives from some aspects of the planning decision process.

Of particular relevance for Vincent residents is the part played by former Vincent mayors John Carey and Emma Cole. 

In March 2016 both Carey and Cole moved a motion at a Vincent Council meeting calling for the abolition of DAPs, partly because they were anti-democratic.  

Cr Cole had so much to say about the evils of DAPs that she needed to be given extra time to complete her list of terrible things about DAPs. 

I’m sure the thrust of her anger was aimed at the then Liberal government.

Wind the clock forward and you will see Ms Cole on the WAPC making decisions contrary to the wishes of elected members and many in local communities.  

The decision of May 2021 concerning a development in Rokeby Road is one which springs to mind. Ms Cole, who was local government’s representative on the WAPC, ignored pleas of Subiaco residents, Subiaco planners, and the democratically elected Subiaco Council.

But what is worse is Minister Carey. Not only has he embraced the DAPs but he has also decided that local councillors will not be involved in decisions concerning single dwellings – these will be decided by local government planning staff.  

To put that into context: at the November Vincent Council meeting the city’s administration recommended approval for a development in Auckland Street.  

Members of the local community spoke up against the development and the council supported them and voted against the proposal.  

Under Minister Carey’s proposed changes, this would have been approved by the city planners and would not have gone to council.

I’m not arguing that DAPs are a bad thing, or that all developments should go to council for decision.

All I’m pointing out is the hypocrisy of populist politicians presenting party political pronouncements in preference to pursuing prudent, pragmatic policy (with apologies to Peter Piper).

Dudley Maier
Highgate