The City of Cockburn has refused a retrospective approval application for a 200-metre metal fence in Beeliar, potentially leading to a legal battle. The Colorbond steel fence, built in 2023 on a rural-zoned property on Lorimer Road, was constructed without necessary approvals. A neighbour's complaint prompted the council to review the fence, which extends across the front, rear, and side boundaries.
The council rejected the application at a meeting last year, arguing the Colorbond material failed to maintain the site's rural character and did not allow native wildlife to pass through. Owner Sean Naidoo sought a review with the State Administrative Tribunal in October, stating the fence cost over $100,000 to build and would cost about $50,000 to remove. He presented four alternative fencing options, which city officers recommended rejecting for not meeting rural standards of informality and openness.
Urban Regional Planning Solutions director Justin Hansen, representing Naidoo, told councillors at an April 14 meeting that the recommendation was unrealistic. He noted that more than 90 properties in the area have solid and visually dominant fencing, and the city has accepted Colorbond fencing for side and rear boundaries. “The city has already accepted that Colorbond fencing is appropriate for side and rear boundaries on this site, so the material itself is not the issue,” Hansen said.
Councillor Carol Reeve-Fowkes proposed approving the fence, calling it a “fair and reasonable outcome” mindful of the expense incurred. She warned that refusing approval could lead to a full SAT hearing, costing the council about $30,000 in legal fees. Deputy mayor Phoebe Corke opposed the fence, stating it was “not appropriate” under local fencing laws and “quite confronting” in its presentation. Cr Chontelle Stone said approving it would set a poor precedent for rural zones.
