From the Chair: Paige McNeil, Save Perth Hills
Twelve months on and 20 years in the making… we continue to fight to Save the Perth Hills from irresponsible housing developments like Satterley’s North Stoneville (SP34), which are dangerous to our lives and destructive to our environment.
Here’s a re-cap of our extraordinary year – and our plans ahead, which are all thanks to YOU, and your incredible support.
✅ COMMUNITY OPPOSITION: - Almost 1,000 public submissions – in just 3 weeks (unprecedented numbers) - Over 1,000 people rally - April 7, Mundaring Sculpture Park - 1,200 people attend the 27 August Council Meeting (unprecedented numbers) - 250 march on the Anglican Church’s Synod in October - Stoneville Parkerville Progress Association (Ratepayers’ and residents’ group) - Mundaring Residents and Ratepayers Progress Association - Susannah Brook Catchment Group - Thousands of FaceBook supporters, and; - Hundreds of you have sent letters, emails and messages to express your personal opposition
✅ POLITICAL OPPOSITION – ALL SIDES:
- Matthew Hughes – MLA State Labor - Kalamunda - Hon. Ken Wyatt - Federal Liberal - Hasluck - Mike Nahan - Liberal MLA and Opposition Planning spokesman - Matthew Swinburn - Labor MLC East Metro - Charles Smith - Independent MLC - Tim Clifford - Greens WA MLC - Donna Faragher - Liberal MLC and former State Planning Minister - Terry Redman - WA Nationals leader - Alyssa Hayden - MLA State Liberal - Darling Range
✅ LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION:
- City of Swan - Unanimous Mundaring Shire Council vote that the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) refuse SP34 because of (but not limited to): • Inadequate road infrastructure to safely evacuate potentially 11,000 residents during an emergency such as fire: 4,000+ from proposed North Stoneville, 2,000 from proposed North Parkerville, plus existing communities of Stoneville and Parkerville comprising 5,000 people (2016 ABS Census) • Non-compliance with State Planning Bush Fire Policy 3.7 • Inadequate road infrastructure to ensure general road safety • Unproven privately-owned sewerage plant and potential ground-water contamination risks and our pristine water catchments • Zero public transport • Hills’ environmental destruction to a recognised International Biodiversity Hotspot • Financial impacts for existing ratepayers to fund roads and infrastructure (Mundaring and Swan) • Misalignment with long-established Hills’ culture, social fabric and amenity • Poor (to zero) community consultation
☞ Land-owner, the Anglican Diocese of Perth , refuses to meet us despite our continued requests. We’ll keep trying. Premier Mark McGowan has been ‘unavailable’ to meet us. WAPC has advised that SP34 is so complex that a decision will be delayed until ‘sometime’ in 2020. Planning Minister Rita Saffioti says she has no role in the WAPC process. But we have uncovered potential and perceived conflicts with some WAPC members, and the Anglican Church and Satterley.
☞ We are asking the WA Ombudsman for judgement and advice. If the Planning Minister can’t stop what’s considered to be a dangerous and destructive Structure Plan, by politicians on all sides, (State and Federal) by almost 1000 community members who put in writing their concerns, and 1200+ at the August 27th Special Council meeting, (possibly the largest ever held in Australia), THEN WHO CAN?
☞ We have asked Ms Saffioti (Dec 7) to tell us, as a matter of urgency.
As you can see, our fight is far from over.
On behalf of the Save Perth Hills committee I thank you for your continued support and I wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas.
In 2020 I promise our voices will continue to be heard - very loudly indeed. Keep Saving Perth Hills!
