The new Canning Bridge Precinct Vision document which presents a ‘planning concept’ for the future of the Canning Bridge area is now available to community members, Alfred Cove MLA Dr Janet Woollard said today.

“I believe the concept plan developed by the WA Planning Commission, the City of Melville and the City of South Perth will destroy the amenity of the area,” Dr Woollard said.

“The concept plan seeks to create 2500 new residences on the Applecross side of Canning Bridge, with additional retail outlets in the area aiming to attract up to 10,000 new employees.

“It aims to encourage greater housing density along the freeway in a catchment area of 1.5km.

“The Canning Bridge Train Station will be located at such a distance from the heart of the precinct that commuters will choose cars over public transport as their preferred method of travel – further adding to the traffic congestion and parking problems.”

Dr Woollard said the concept plan proposed to increase building heights in parts of the Applecross precinct near Canning Bridge to five, 10 and 20-storey developments.

“The Minister for Planning, the Hon John Day, has made a mistake in approving this vision document,” she said.

“This level of development and population growth will add to the travel time for people working in the CBD who live in the Cities of Melville, Fremantle and Cockburn.

“Canning Highway is often congested back to North Lake Road in the mornings with people doing ‘rat runs’ through local suburbs and the Kwinana Freeway is congested in the morning from 6.30am.

“Adding 2500 residences - with 7000 cars - and 10,000 new employees to the Applecross Mount Pleasant suburbs will significantly worsen traffic congestion for everyone living south west of Canning Bridge.

“I am disappointed that the City of Melville is supporting this plan.

“The government should be focusing on creating new business and residential infrastructure in the outer suburbs rather than destroying the lifestyles of people living in the City of Melville.

“I urge all residents and businesses in the area to pick up a copy of the Canning Bridge Precinct Vision document and to see how the concept plan will worsen the current traffic and parking problems.”