Banjup Community Feels Betrayed by Confidential Development Offset Agreement
Residents of Banjup in Perth's southern suburbs have voiced profound disappointment and frustration after discovering that local authorities entered into a confidential agreement to facilitate an urban development project that will clear significant native vegetation, including critical black cockatoo habitat. The community claims they were completely unaware of the arrangement until recently, despite its potential environmental impacts.
Development Proposal and Environmental Concerns
Aigle Royal Developments has proposed transforming portions of Lots 11 and 74 on Beenyup Road into a mixed-use area comprising 4.63 hectares designated for housing and 21.55 hectares set aside for conservation purposes. However, the plan involves clearing approximately 2.78 hectares of native vegetation, which includes ecologically sensitive banksia woodlands that serve as essential habitat for the endangered black cockatoo.
This vegetation clearance emerged as the primary concern in the 13 submissions received by the Environmental Protection Authority during the public comment period in 2024. The EPA, after reviewing the proposal, released a report last month recommending that the development proceed, but with specific conditions attached.
Offset Agreement and Rehabilitation Plan
The key condition imposed by the EPA requires the rehabilitation of a 16-hectare former sand quarry located within the Rose Shanks Reserve, situated approximately 3 kilometers northeast of the proposed development site. This rehabilitated area is intended to serve as an environmental offset, compensating for the loss of banksia woodland and black cockatoo habitat caused by the clearing activities.
In its report, the EPA expressed reasonable confidence that successful rehabilitation of the offset area would substantially enhance both the quantity and quality of banksia woodland habitat within Rose Shanks Reserve, thereby contributing positively to the broader Jandakot Regional Park ecosystem. A separate report from 2025 indicated that a memorandum of understanding was being developed with the City of Cockburn to formalize the use of Rose Shanks Reserve for this offset purpose.
Community Reaction and Lack of Transparency
Corinne Franklin, president of the Banjup Residents Group, addressed the City of Cockburn council meeting on February 10, expressing the community's shock and dismay. She stated that residents had no prior knowledge of the offset agreement and were deeply disappointed by the EPA's decision, which she believes was influenced by the city's consent to utilize Rose Shanks Reserve.
"This agreement seems to have been mooted during a confidential session of the council meeting in December 2025," Ms. Franklin remarked. "Given that the city has committed to preserving Banjup, why did the city not have the courtesy to inform Banjup residents that it had agreed to an offset agreement for the old mine site in the Rose Shanks Reserve?"
The council conducted a closed-door session at its December 9 meeting to vote on amendments to reserve management orders that would support environmental offsets. While the meeting minutes do not specify which reserves were affected, they confirm that the decision was adopted unanimously.
Official Response and Justifications
Daniel Arndt, the City Director of Sustainable Development and Safety, acknowledged that Ms. Franklin's question was "fairly complex." He explained that the ultimate decision regarding land development rests with the WA Planning Commission, and the city's role has been to reflect State Government decisions while striving to achieve the best possible outcomes given the predetermined development plans.
"As that discussion involves some commercial aspects, that's the reason why it was discussed as a confidential item," Mr. Arndt stated. "It should be clearly noted that the EPA's decision in terms of the land clearing is actually based on the WAPC's advice and not on the city's discussion about environmental offsets."
When Ms. Franklin inquired about the potential cost to the city for rehabilitating the quarry independently, Mr. Arndt dismissed it as a "moot question," clarifying that the city does not own the land in question.
Appeals and Ongoing Developments
The period for lodging appeals against the EPA's recommendation concluded on February 3, leaving residents with limited recourse to challenge the decision. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between urban development pressures and environmental conservation efforts, particularly in regions with sensitive ecosystems and endangered species.
The lack of transparency and community consultation in this process has left Banjup residents feeling marginalized and concerned about the long-term ecological impacts of the development. As the project moves forward, the effectiveness of the offset rehabilitation and its ability to genuinely compensate for the lost habitat will be closely monitored by both environmental advocates and the local community.
