Steve Irons is to be congratulated. He has got to the crux of the issues around the Canning Bridge Precinct plans and put his views on the national record. He is correct that it makes no sense to plan to build high rise apartments in green leafy suburbs that have already been the subject of sub division and incidently where the residents agree that there needs to be futher subdivision and infill development. The Councils will both advise that they have consulted widely and I agree that there have been a great number of meetings however:
*the highrise was not on the table prior to the publication of the Vision in Feb 2010;
* running buses through quiet suburban streets that are currently closed to through traffic was not on the table for discussion either;

There are a number of questions that need to be answered:
* how did the City of South Perth get allocated the 6000 additional dwellings by the WAPC - there is no discussion on this that I have seen. Did the two Mayors put their hands up;
* why are Canning Bridge and the Como train Station being picked out for the transport hub to Curtin University when Curtin University is in the Town of Victoria Park - what about Bull Creek and Murdoch stations both of which have the advantage of being closer to Fiona Stanley and Murdoch University and have much better facilities for commuters and buses to park, Kiss'n ride and transit buses;
*It is well known that the Canning Bridge area is heavily congested with traffic. Please explain how putting 2000 -3000 additional dwellings in an 800 metre radius will reduce the congestion. Does anyone really believe that we will all be selling our cars or is it more logical that this will lead to intolerable congestion and pollution;
*why is the new Cygnia sub-division (in the City of South Perth)on Manning Road and within walking distance to Curtin University not being used for higher density than the 450sqm blocks that the developer advises will be the size in the great majority;
*why are the 6000 dwellings ear-marked for the City of South Perth not being shared across the City of South Perth. I am sure the City of Melville residents are asking the same thing;
* why is Kensington immune from any subdivision - could it be that the Mayor lives there;
*why is the City of South Perth recommending to the WAPC that an area adjacent to Kensington (in the Town of Victoria Park) and identified for infill be removed from the Directions 2031 Central sub-region plan as it would detract from the Kensington area which is zoned R15;
*why are the Cities of South Perth and Melville ignoring and importantly being allowed to ignore the fundamental principle of Directions 2031 that any planned development should take account of the amenity of existing suburbs and that community views should be taken into account prior to planning decisions being taken;
*why are residents being told that no decisions have been made about heights or built form and that residents will be included in future meetings if the City of South Perth is preparing to advise the WAPC that it agrees with 1300-1600 earmarked for the Como side;
*finally the Subi Centro, East Perth and Burswood developments are to be applauded. The big difference between them and what is proposed in the Cities of South Perth and Melville is that we are established green leafy suburbs and they were not.

I say good on you Steve Irons. At least you are trying to get some answers to questions that we have been asking but so far have just been told that the value of our properties will rise. I didn't buy my house as an investment, this is my home and my community.

I have to thank the City of South Perth for one thing - it has managed to turn a bunch of strangers who happened to be neighbours into a cohesive community.

Thanks Steve Irons - you'll get my vote again

I'm with you Maryclaire....many of us are frustrated by the irresponsible actions of local governments. There should be be more transparency in their decision making process, particularly when it impacts on long term amenity.

Its no wonder we become cynical about "the system" when we are constantly fobbed off as irrelevant if we don't support their outrageous plans to wreck our community.

Steve Irons is the Robin Hood we need to keep those megalomaniacs from building monuments to themselves in our beautiful suburbs.

Give them a reality check Steve

Steve
Thank you for your support on this issue.

If only our local politicians would listen and stop ignoring the community.

MaryClaire

Be careful what you wish for. The City of South Perth is no better than the Councillors of the Vic Park Council. Most of of them are incompetent and/or corrupt. The State Government shoud take planning approvals away from local governmetns as they are inept and captured by vested interests.

Steve, you are doing a great job. Just be wary of some of the people in the town of vic park as they are keen to see you voted out.

Amidst the effusive praise for Steve Irons, there is a paradox. This is that many people in our cities, or even most people, will agree that to attain sustainability goals, we need to evolve towards more compact cities, with much higher average residential densities. State Governments (both current Liberal and previous Labor) and the Cities of Melville and South Perth have recognised this, and mapped out sound principles in relation to rezoning in concert with public infrastructure investment (rail, roads, local govt works, etc) and private investment (housing for a range of demographics and socio-economics, shops, restaurants, etc).

In my experience there is absolutely no justification for the deeply offensive claim, "Most of of them are incompetent and/or corrupt". On the contrary, the two Cities have acted very responsibly in the interests of the community at large. I hope they continue to withstand the blatantly selfish and strident "nimbyism" ("not in my back yard") displayed by your correspondents. Is the matter of more sustainable cities to be pushed away as some kind of task that is not applicable to the Canning Bridge precinct, only to every other part of the Perth Metropolitan region? Every other resident of Perth, but not us?

My family have gone through hell with The City of South Perth Council!! Incompetent and corrupt describes them to a tee!!! They have too much power and seem to get off on destroying people lives and trying to send their own residents bankrupt. What can we do? Who can we go to for help?

I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. Would you mind updating your blog with more information?

which council do you work for roger !!

nothing wrong with nimbyism

it ideologicaly based plannint that the problem.

too many commie latte sipping socialist want us all living in soviet era style
apartments (used to called flats)

there all corrupt and stupid