Shire of Dardanup requests WAPC review changes to local planning scheme set to impact Dardanup landowner

A South West council is pushing back on changes the WA Planning Commission made to its major planning policy amid concerns it would impact a ratepayer. The Shire of Dardanup has been requested by Planning Minister John Carey to make a number of changes to its proposed new local planning scheme, which would replace the one which has been in place since 1979. One of the changes requested was for the council to change the zoning of Lot 603 Fees Road in Dardanup from industrial development to rural, limiting the activities which can take place on the property. The proposed change was opposed by the landowners, with Larry Guise speaking on their behalf to the council. “We believe what the (WA Planning) Commission has recommended to the minister and the minister is now asking council to endorse ... is inconsistent with the local planning strategy and with the local planning scheme as advertised,” he said, “It is a case of really one step forward, two steps back and to revert back to rural I think is unfair to my clients.” Following debate among councillors, the council voted unanimously to approve all of the minister’s requested changes to the scheme apart from the Fees Road property before it goes back for final approval. Deputy shire president Ellen Lilly spoke for the final decision, noting the landholders had been wanting to develop the property for a long time and the council had been supportive of it. “I think it’s very important that we do support people who have different ideas in our community and ensure that we can support them all the way to the end,” she said. “If the result is that this does get knocked back by the Planning Commission, then at least they know we’ve done everything we can to support them.”