Public advertising of the draft South Perth Activity Centre Plan

Journalist’s enquiry: I’m following up with the WAPC on the discussion with the City of South Perth Activity Centre Plan and whether the council should be starting the public advertising earlier than the April 2019 deadline it set itself in October. My questions for City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty are:

• How has the City of South Perth responded to the WAPC’s suggestion that it advertise the activity centre plan by the end of January?
• What is the reasoning behind this?
• Does the city have concerns that it may have created confusion and uncertainty for residents and developers about what its actual guidelines are?

Please attribute the following statement to the City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty.

In December 2018, the City received communication from the Chairman of the Western Australian Planning Commission, David Caddy requesting that the Council consider advertising the draft South Perth Activity Centre Plan by the end of January 2019 concurrently with the associated scheme amendment.

The City has replied to Mr Caddy. Given the time of year, the level of work involved in the development and implementation of the community engagement plan for a project of this scale and importance, the end of January is not an achievable date for the commencement of public advertising. 

The Council is progressing the South Perth Activity Centre Plan as expeditiously as possible and it is anticipated that the draft plan and associated scheme amendment will be resubmitted to Council for their consideration in March.

The place that we are planning for is exceptional and unique in relation to its amenities, with a stunning natural setting and unrivalled central location. The Council is committed to ensuring best practice strategic planning processes and outcomes for the City, Council, community and stakeholders that is in line with Western Australian Planning Commission planning guidelines.

It is imperative that the South Perth Activity Centre Plan and associated scheme amendment provide flexibility to enable excellence and quality in design along with the certainty the community, Council and developers are seeking.