Question On Notice No. 338 asked in the Legislative Council on 5 September 2017 by Hon Alison Xamon
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Planning
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the redevelopment of the Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital site and the fate of the remaining 3.4 Hectares of bushland on the site, and I ask:
(a) is the Minister aware of Clause 5.2(v) of State Planning Policy 2.8 Bushland Policy for the Perth Metropolitan Region which states that proposals or decision-making should “Proactively seek to safeguard, enhance and establish ecological linkages between Bush Forever areas”;
(b) is the Minister aware of the Capital City Planning Framework Vegetation Connectivity Analysis Report, that further loss of vegetation in this area will result in significant change of connectivity status of the Shenton Park Bushland and Underwood Avenue Bushland Bush Forever Sites;
(c) is the Minister aware that an overwhelming majority of non-government agency respondents to the Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendments associated with this site requested that 100 per cent of the bushland be kept intact;
(d) can the Minister please explain how the proposal to remove 50 per cent of the remaining bushland on the site meets policy and community expectations; and
(e) can the Minister please explain why the Shenton Park Hospital Redevelopment Improvement Scheme No. 1 clears 50 per cent of this bushland, rather than safeguarding and enhancing it?
Answered on 31 October 2017
(a)-(b) Yes
(c)-(e) Bushland retention was one of the major issues raised by the community along with the proposed residential density, building heights, potential loss of amenity and traffic impacts. State Planning Policy 3.7 requires bushland areas to be managed in response to bushfire risks. Retaining the bushland as untreated prolongs the existing bush-fire hazard corridor, impacting on neighbouring vulnerable health uses (Spine & Limb Foundation, Westcare, Cancer Council etc.) and incoming facilities and residents including MS Society and Leukaemia Foundation. The Department of Planning considered all relevant policies in making its determination, including advice from the Environmental Agencies as well as community feedback during the consultation process.
There have been multiple amendments to the plans based on community input and the need to balance the development with the State Government Policy requirements. Significant portions of the existing vegetation will be retained and enhanced as part of the redevelopment with greater than 25% of the development going to public open space.
The development was assessed by both the Commonwealth, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and the State’s Environmental Protection Authority.
Based on assessment outcomes from the Environmental Agencies and the processes leading to the gazettal of the Improvement Scheme, the Department of Planning is confident that the development has balanced the retention of significant vegetation with the necessary bushfire protection measures.