Question On Notice No. 373 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 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 design of the proposed development on the site of the former Perth Rehabilitation Hospital in Shenton Park and the overwhelming community support for the retention of 100 per cent of that bushland, and I ask:
(a) were any designs considered that involved no clearing of this bushland;
(b) if yes to (a), will the Minister please table those designs; and
(c) if no to (a), why not?
Answered on 7 November 2017
(a) No
(b) Not applicable
(c) Preliminary designs considered a number of development options which had to balance a number of competing objectives across the site, including development over the existing carpark, access ways and drainage sump in the bushland. More recent iterations of the planning required consideration of the newly introduced State Planning Policy 3.7 - Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas. To manage the bushfire risk, on this site and for the surrounding vulnerable users, clearing is required.