The City understands the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has decided not to proceed with a proposed Improvement Plan for 450 Hay Street – for the second time this year.
It comes after the property owner, Sanur, asked for additional information to be considered as part of the proposal after it was rejected by the WAPC in March 2023.
An Improvement Plan is a planning instrument with broad powers under section 119 of the Planning and Development Act 2005 to advance the planning, development and use of land. It permits, amongst other things, the power for the WAPC to acquire land compulsorily.
The proposed Improvement Plan sought to acquire City-owned Burley Lane.
Representatives from the City attended the June meeting to reaffirm Council’s position to not support the plan.
The City has raised a number of concerns with the proposed plan including that such extraordinary powers are generally reserved for exceptional circumstances with state and regional importance and should not be used to advance the interests of a private development opportunity, particularly in a financial sense.
Earlier this year,
Council voted to make sections of a confidential report public to enable greater transparency on the proposed Improvement Plan at 450 Hay Street.
Mayor David McMullen said:
“We understand the Improvement Plan will not be proceeding.
“The City's deputation to the Commission reiterated the City's long-standing position.
“The City has made its position on the Sanur land abundantly clear over an extended period. Our planning framework can generously accommodate a renewal of this particular site, and we wish for this potential to be realised by encouraging development of the land in a way that does not destroy heritage but rather integrates and celebrates it. We know firsthand the opportunities that good development can unlock; we have no interest in seeing Sanur's land sitting dormant.
“The Commission has now resolved on two occasions not to support the preparation of an Improvement Plan and we trust this will be the end of the Improvement Plan process. The Commission and Sanur are aware that the City is ready to negotiate an outcome that meets all parties' main objectives.”
Timeline
10 February 2023 – the City received notification from the DPLH advising that they were in receipt of a proposed Improvement Plan lodged by Sanur Pty Ltd.
17 March 2023 – the City’s extended deadline to respond to the proposed Improvement Plan. Elected members and staff worked closely to formulate a response recommending that the WAPC not progress with the proposed plan.
29 March 2023 – the WAPC considered the proposed Improvement Plan at its meeting; CEO Colin Cameron and Director Development Services Alexander Petrovski made a deputation recommending the plan does not progress.
6 April 2023 – the City is notified that at its meeting, the WAPC resolved not to proceed with the preparation of an Improvement Plan and that the WAPC Chairman had been asked by the Minister to engage in discussions with the parties.
15 May 2023 – DPLH requested the City to consider additional information provided by Sanur relating to the proposed Improvement Plan.
12 June 2023 – the date the DPLH has requested the City’s comments by on the additional information and proposed Improvement Plan.
28 June 2023 – the date of the WAPC meeting that the Improvement Plan was reconsidered; Director Development Services Alexander Petrovski and Manager Planning Services Anthony Denholm made a deputation.
5 July 2023 – the minutes from the WAPC meeting were released.