Independent Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard questioned the provisions in the new Approvals and Related Reforms (No.4) (Planning) Bill 2009 which would allow the applicaiton of Improvement Schemes anywhere in the State.

"I am concerned that some provisions in the Bill could have unintended consequences and possibly rob the people of Western Australia of their voice in development that is to take place near where they live," said Dr Woollard.

"The Bill would empower the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) to seek approval from the Minister to develop an Improvement Plan from an identified area.

"From this, Improvement Schemes may then be developed and these schemes would override local and regional planning schemes."

Dr Woollard said she understands the need for such schemes to facilitate development in some areas, but is disturbed the Bill has no restrictions on where and how the Improvement Schemes may be applied and in particular the change in zoning in residential areas to commercial/residential with 20 to 30 storey developments.

"Improvement Plans and Improvement Schemes are intended for areas of 'regional significance', but there are no definitions of 'regional significance'," said Dr Woollard.

Dr Woollard's concerns are related to the prospect of land support transport routes being deemed an area of 'regional significance', such as the Canning Bridge Precinct in Applecross and Mount Pleasant.

"This could translate to more high-density development in residential areas distuated near train stations to cater for the expected population boom in Perth Metropolitan area," said Dr Woollard.

"The Minister for Planning has said in Parliament there are opportunities for urban infill development along the Fremantle and Perth railway line.  This will impact older leafy established suburbs of Nedlands, Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove, Claremont and Dalkieth."

Dr Woollard said it is the manner in which the Improvement Schemes and developments could be pushed through that is of most concern.

"The Minister has argued that there will be adequate consultations for the development of Improvement Schemes, but my community's experience with being consulted by the WAPC has been negative," Dr Woollard pointed out.

"My community clearly did not want the height of the Raffles next to Canning Bridge beyond nine storeys, but the WAPC override their views and comments to approve the development to 17 storeys."

Dr Woollard said the WAPC together with the City of Melville and the City of South Perth have developed the Canning Bridge Precinct, which has performance-based zoning areas which could see 20 to 30 storey buildings being built within 1km radius of the Canning Bridge train station. (www.planning.wa.gov.au/Plans+and+policies/Publications/2114.aspx).

"It leaves me to wonder to what extent the WAPC will consider community's views for an area that has been excised for the development of an Improvement Scheme that sits above other regional or plannin schemes," said Dr Woollard.

Note to journalist/editor:

The Department of Planning has advised that Improvement Schemes can be applied to areas:

- Where an improvemet plan covers more than 1 local government and a coordinated plan is required;

- Where development in an area is identified as a priority area and is required to occur in a specified time period; and

- Where there is fragmented land ownership in the area.

Canning Bridge Precinct and other areas near train stations and transport nodes along the Fremantle to Perth train line fits the abovementioned criteria.  Attached is a pictorial representation of potential TOD along the Fremantle to Perth train line.