Perth Voice Interactive

THE City of Perth has asked the Cook government to ensure locals get a say on development around the UWA/QEII precinct after it was stripped of the lead role.

Last month WA planning minister John Carey announced the government was looking at establishing an “improvement plan” for the precinct after it was identified as a state-significant activity centre.

“The UWA-QEII activity centre is one of the largest health and knowledge precincts in the southern hemisphere and it is critical that its potential to deliver employment, economic development and housing is reflected in the future planning framework,” Mr Carey said.

“An Improvement Plan would transfer planning responsibility for the precinct to the State and preparation of a future planning framework would be subject to consultation with key stakeholders and the community.”

At the council’s last meeting, Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said while it made some sense for the state government to take over the planning for the precinct, the City had been blindsided by the announcement.

Consultation

“There was no consultation that this decision was coming to take it back in, and take it off the City of Perth,” Mr Zempilas.

He said instead, the council was given just five working days to provide a submission to the planning, lands and heritage department.

Perth CEO Michelle Reynolds wrote to the department’s director general Anthony Kannis asking for the community not to be ignored.

“Community engagement is an integral element in the preparation of any strategic and land use planning instruments,” Ms Reynolds wrote.

“Beyond economic growth, an active and thriving community is at the heart of a successful precinct.

“The City requests that DPLH undertake extensive and genuine community engagement in the preparation of an improvement scheme for the area beyond any statutory consultation requirements.”

Mr Zempilas said the City was firm on that request after receiving strong representations from the community concerned about the state’s decision to take over the project.