Media Release - Council to lodge own re-zoning application for proposed new residential area

Posted on October 20, 2021

Northern Midlands Council will proceed with its own rezoning application and the development of a Specific Area Plan to make way for any future major residential housing development on land in west Perth.

Mayor Mary Knowles OAM said today the decision would give council more say over the shape of any future development to ensure it was sensitive to the local environment, promoted liveability and provided good housing outcomes.

Mayor Knowles said council based its decision on the advice of an independent professional after consideration of a proposal from the Planning Policy Unit at the Department of Justice.

“We believe this course of action will give greater certainty for any future development applications regarding planning requirements for this important and sensitive area,” she said.

The Specific Area Plan would include a large zone to the west of Drummond Street, now known as 5 Eskleigh Road.

Mayor Knowles said the Specific Area Plan would overlay the proposed zone with broad directions and set out principles that need to be delivered for the site through an Outline Development Plan.

Importantly it is proposed this plan would identify additional access points between the residential properties to a tree corridor on its southern boundary as well as provide for a shared path from the Main Street of Perth to the tree corridor.

The plan would detail requirements for management of stormwater drainage to drain from the site to the South Esk River and to Sheepwash Creek.