The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) held a confidential meeting on Wednesday to consider a draft plan that would give the state government control over development around three western suburbs train stations. The plan covers precincts in Cottesloe, Mosman Park, and Swanbourne, part of a broader initiative targeting nine metropolitan stations.
Under the proposal, the WAPC would gain authority to set zoning, density, and development standards, and determine future development applications within these precincts. The meeting did not finalize those controls but assessed whether to recommend the draft scheme to Planning Minister John Carey for approval.
Local councils have voiced strong opposition, arguing the plan overrides their own planning strategies and disregards years of community consultation. Cottesloe, Mosman Park, and Peppermint Grove submitted deputations urging the inclusion of existing local planning frameworks.
Cottesloe's written submission highlighted that it had already spent considerable resources on its precinct structure plan, which it says meets state infill targets. The council criticized the state's approach, stating its local plan clearly demonstrates how to achieve density goals around the train station.
Planning Minister John Carey defended the initiative, saying local progress has been too slow and density settings too low. He specifically criticized Cottesloe's council for lacking ambition. If the WAPC endorses the blueprint, Carey will make the final decision on whether to approve the improvement plan.
