The Western Australian State Government has dramatically intervened in local planning by taking control of development around 10 key train station precincts, leaving western suburbs councils concerned their years of planning work will be discarded.
State Intervention in Local Planning
Planning Minister John Carey announced on Sunday that 10 station precincts - including Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Swanbourne - would come under direct control of the WA Planning Commission. The state body now holds power to set height and density restrictions for future developments within an 800-metre radius of these stations.
The WA Planning Commission will serve as the final arbitrator in deciding whether future developments, including high-rise apartments, should proceed in these areas. This move represents a significant shift in planning authority away from local governments.
Council Frustration and Existing Plans
Western suburbs council leaders emphasize their frustration isn't with the concept of introducing higher density development near stations. Both Mosman Park and Cottesloe councils pointed out they already have precinct structure plans awaiting WAPC approval that include provisions for infill and high-rise density.
Cottesloe Mayor Melissa Harkins expressed deep concern about the announcement's impact on her council's planning work. "We are not anti-development and we are not NIMBYs," Ms Harkins stated. "We understand why more density in Cottesloe is needed, which is why we have included it in our PSP."
The Cottesloe Village Precinct Structure Plan, which has been in development since 2020, would allow for medium to high-density development up to 16 storeys around Cottesloe Station and the Napoleon Street shopping precinct.
Government Justification and Broader Impact
Minister Carey defended the state intervention, arguing that some councils hadn't been ambitious enough with their density plans. "While some local governments have taken steps to update planning frameworks around train stations, progress has been slow, and in many cases, density settings are far too low," Mr Carey said.
He specifically criticised Cottesloe council for not being sufficiently ambitious about density potential around Cottesloe station. The minister also highlighted issues with Swanbourne station precinct, which spans three different local governments operating planning schemes at least ten years old, mostly limiting buildings to two storeys.
Mosman Park Mayor Paul Shaw noted his town's station precinct already contains significant high-rise development with more planned. "We were already heading down that path... so far it's worked really well for us," Mr Shaw said, while expressing concern their draft PSP might be superseded.
Other locations affected by the announcement include Ballajura, Bassendean, Carlisle and Oats Street, Claisebrook, Glendalough, Morley, and Redcliffe. The State Government believes these station precincts could accommodate an additional 35,000 homes, with more areas likely to be declared in future.
WA Local Government Association president Karen Chappel acknowledged the change while warning that community backlash about development plans would now be directed to state representatives rather than local councils. Minister Carey stated he doesn't anticipate legal challenges from affected councils, confirming the move is "completely through the law under our Planning Act."
