Rockingham Council rejects plans again for development near child care centres

Thursday, 2 September 2021 10:32

By Staff Writer

The City of Rockingham Council reaffirmed its decision to refuse a development application for a mixed commercial development on Talisker Bend in Golden Bay.

The site plan for the application includes a service station, restaurant/café and gymnasium. In April 2021 Council initially recommended to the Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel (MOJDAP) the application be refused on health, traffic, safety, signage and vegetation removal grounds. Following this, the MOJDAP resolved to refuse the application in May 2021.

The proponent for the development then lodged an application for review of this decision with the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). The applicant provided additional information in support of a reconsideration and following this, SAT invited Council to reconsider its original decision.

Upon reviewing this additional information at the Special Council Meeting, Council resolved to stand firm on its original recommendation to the MOJDAP, which was to refuse the application.

City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the application was not compatible with development on other land in the area due to unacceptable health risks.

“Council considered that the potential health impacts in terms of odour emissions, specifically from benzene exposure associated with the proposed service station, posed a risk to the community. This concern was heightened given the proposal’s proximity to two approved child care centres, one of which is under construction,” Mayor Sammels said.

“Concerns regarding the proposed development’s likely disruption to traffic flows in the area, particularly in relation to vehicle access from Aurea Boulevard, were also considered by Council when making a decision.”

Council’s recommendation that the proposal be refused will now be considered once again by the MOJDAP.

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