Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has launched a scathing attack on state planning authorities, accusing them of turning a deaf ear to community concerns as a contentious 20-storey Floreat development appears set for approval.
Community Voices Drowned Out
The controversial development at 11 Eric Street is poised to receive the green light from the Metro Inner-North Joint Development Panel, despite overwhelming opposition from local residents and the City of Perth council. Zempilas expressed his frustration, stating that the community's legitimate concerns are being systematically ignored.
'This is yet another example of the community speaking with a loud, clear, and united voice only to be completely ignored,' the Lord Mayor declared.
Development Details Spark Outrage
The proposed development would see a massive 20-storey building containing 121 apartments rise in the suburban Floreat area. Local residents have raised numerous objections, citing concerns about:
- Excessive building height that contradicts local character
- Inadequate parking provisions for the area
- Potential traffic congestion issues
- Shadowing impacts on surrounding properties
- Overall inconsistency with neighbourhood planning guidelines
Planning Process Under Fire
Zempilas highlighted what he sees as fundamental flaws in the current planning system, where local government recommendations and community feedback appear to carry little weight against development panel decisions.
'The system is broken when the local community and their directly elected council can say no so clearly, and yet the development gets the tick of approval,' Zempilas emphasised.
What Happens Next?
With the development panel's recommendation for approval now on the table, the community faces an uphill battle to stop the project. The decision raises broader questions about planning democracy in Western Australia and whether local residents truly have a meaningful voice in shaping their neighbourhoods.
The situation in Floreat serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tension between urban development pressures and community preservation across Perth's metropolitan area.
