COMMUNITY dissatisfaction with planning outcomes in Two Rocks has led to North ward councillors putting forward a successful motion asking the City of Wanneroo to review the structure plan and local development plans for parts of the town centre.
The dissatisfaction started when residents became aware of the proposal for a Woolworths supermarket, specialty retail, liquor outlet and cafe just south of the King Neptune statue.
Many residents were optimistic when the Heritage Council agreed to assess the Sun City precinct Two Rocks for listing on the state register of heritage places in April that the shopping centre proposal might not go ahead.
But they were disappointed when the Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) granted development approval for the proposal on May 4.
Now some residents have also turned their attention to the type and scale of future development proposed for west of King Neptune and south of the Woolworths supermarket.
A motion on notice was presented to the council’s ordinary meeting on June 14 by North ward councillor Chris Baker and seconded by North ward councillor Sonet Coetzee.
The officer’s report on the item included a map showing the land which is part of the Two Rocks town centre agreed local structure plan No. 70 (ASP 70) and its location in respect to the Two Rocks marina.
The report said ASP 70 had been considered by the council in July 2009 (PS01-07/09) and October 2010 (PS05-10/10).
Following endorsement by the council ASP 70 was then forwarded to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) for consideration before it was finally adopted in August 2014.
ASP 70 has not been amended since the WAPC’s adoption.
As the ASP 70 map shows five precincts are outlined in the structure plan each of which require their own local development plans (LDP) prior to any development in the precinct.
According to the report LDPs are the policy vehicle that particularly focus on guiding matters such as building heights, setbacks, design standards, architectural elements, heritage and landscaping.
“To date, a combined LDP has been prepared and approved for precinct A and B, an LDP proposal is currently subject to administration’s consideration in precinct C and no LDP has been contemplated for precincts D and E,’’ the motion on notice report said.
The Two Rocks town centre agreed local structure plan No. 70, showing the five precincts and their R-codes, was last considered by the City of Wanneroo in October 2010.
Cr Baker said it was timely for a review so as to ensure that the LDP reflected sound planning principles and that the LDP reflected appropriate development in the area.
“If you look at the plan in the report it’s interesting to note that in precinct E, which is the southern-most precinct within the group of precincts the actual R coding for precinct E and this is basically a beachfront parcel of land is R20-R160,’’ he said.
“In a nutshell R160 to my reading or interpretation always means high rise apartments or high-rise strata title or even high-rise hotel.’’
When Cr Baker asked if the city had a fixed policy on the maximum height for strata title units anywhere within its boundaries City of Wanneroo planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson said there was no restriction in terms of height.
The motion on notice report said in 2009 during public comment submissions were received from residents raising issues in relation to the provision of public open space, the protection of heritage sites, the retention of views and vistas, the proposed coastal setbacks, the provision of parking, staging, zoning, density and building heights.
Cr Baker said residents back then had raised exactly the same issues that the community raised in Two Rocks two months ago.
The City of Wanneroo administration said the completion of the LDPs and a review of ASP 70 would bring the planning framework for the Two Rocks marina precinct into step with community expectations and better recognise the cultural significance of the site and surrounding area.
“A review would provide an opportunity to define a form of development more suited to this unique location,’’ administration said.
“A revised planning framework for the Two Rocks Marina precinct could promote place activation that is respectful to its location, while taking into account community expectations.
Central-East ward councillor Paul Miles, who is also the Sun City Yacht Club commodore, said while he supported the notice of motion said there had been change in the area, including the marina with more change coming.
“You got obviously the stuff that went through JDAP only a few months ago for a new centre,’’ he said.
“We (also) know the current shopping centre being 40-years-old is at the end of its design life.’’
The amended motion on notice was carried unanimously.
Councillor says shopping centre at the end of its design life
