Welshpool Road East: Gum Trees (Wattle Grove)
Consultation has concluded
Background
On 10 June 2015, the Minister for Planning approved Scheme Amendment No. 61 which included the additional use of Place of Worship under Schedule 2 of the Scheme. The additional use is conditional on the applicant/landowner preparing and implementing a traffic management plan.
The subject site has frontage of 115m to Welshpool Rd East. The surrounding area is zoned Special Rural and Rural Composite. The lot and neighbouring lots are currently vacant.
In response to a number of community enquiries, the City of Kalamunda can confirm a Development Application for a proposed place of worship (church) was granted planning approval by Council in November 2016.
The land at Lot 36 (831) is owned by St Peters Jacobite Syrian Church Perth Inc.
Council also approved several conditions to be imposed on the development site. Many of the conditions relate to lighting, bushfire management, vegetation and landscaping, road modifications, parking and required building permits.
The application was advertised for 28 days with letters sent to adjoining property owners.
The application was also sent to the Department of Planning, Main Roads and the Public Transport Authority. Nine submissions were received.
Tree removal arising from the development is necessary to ensure the safety of vehicles on Welshpool Road East.
A number of options were investigated to try to prevent the removal of the trees, however the road safety was considered a higher priority.
Background
On 10 June 2015, the Minister for Planning approved Scheme Amendment No. 61 which included the additional use of Place of Worship under Schedule 2 of the Scheme. The additional use is conditional on the applicant/landowner preparing and implementing a traffic management plan.
The subject site has frontage of 115m to Welshpool Rd East. The surrounding area is zoned Special Rural and Rural Composite. The lot and neighbouring lots are currently vacant.
In response to a number of community enquiries, the City of Kalamunda can confirm a Development Application for a proposed place of worship (church) was granted planning approval by Council in November 2016.
The land at Lot 36 (831) is owned by St Peters Jacobite Syrian Church Perth Inc.
Council also approved several conditions to be imposed on the development site. Many of the conditions relate to lighting, bushfire management, vegetation and landscaping, road modifications, parking and required building permits.
The application was advertised for 28 days with letters sent to adjoining property owners.
The application was also sent to the Department of Planning, Main Roads and the Public Transport Authority. Nine submissions were received.
Tree removal arising from the development is necessary to ensure the safety of vehicles on Welshpool Road East.
A number of options were investigated to try to prevent the removal of the trees, however the road safety was considered a higher priority.
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Special Council Meeting: 28th May 2018 @ 7.00pm
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkOn 23 April 2018, a request for a Special Elector's Meeting was received by the Mayor of the City of Kalamunda by not less than 100 electors of the District of the City of Kalamunda pursuant to section 5.28 of the Local Government Act 1995 (WA).
Notice is accordingly hereby given that a Special Meeting of Council will be held on:
Monday 28 May 2018 commencing at 7.00pm.
The Meeting will be held in the Council Chamber, Administration Centre, 2 Railway Road in Kalamunda.
The purpose of the meeting and order of business is:
- To discuss options for the preservation of the avenue of Lemon Scented Gums on Welshpool Road East, Wattle Grove
- To discuss the outcome of the Council's 17 April 2018 Special Council Meeting (SCM), particularly, the Council's decision on Item 8.1.1 in the SCM Agenda, 'Application to Amend Development Approval - Place of Worship - Lot 36 (831) Welshpool Road East, Wattle Grove and any options that may be available to request Council amend this decision.
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Trees Saved on Welshpool Road
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCouncil has approved an Application to Amend Development Approval – Place of Worship – Lot 36 (831) Welshpool Road East, Wattle Grove from the St Peters Jacobite Syrian Church Perth Inc at a Special Council Meeting on 17 April 2018, with a series of conditions.
The approval ends a long running saga, over the future of 13 Lemon Scented Gums along the front boundary of the property. In working through the constraints and opportunities, a revised design was prepared that shortened the eastbound slip lane to 66m and the west-bound slip lane to 75m. The revised design provides an allowance for the bus embayment to be included within the shortened westbound slip lane.
Council has approved an Application to Amend Development Approval – Place of Worship – Lot 36 (831) Welshpool Road East, Wattle Grove from the St Peters Jacobite Syrian Church Perth Inc at a Special Council Meeting on 17 April 2018, with a series of conditions.
The approval ends a long running saga, over the future of 13 Lemon Scented Gums along the front boundary of the property. In working through the constraints and opportunities, a revised design was prepared that shortened the eastbound slip lane to 66m and the west-bound slip lane to 75m. The revised design provides an allowance for the bus embayment to be included within the shortened westbound slip lane.
All Councillors in attendance voted unanimously on the amendments, with officers noting, “It is considered that this process has modified the engineering design to the greatest extent possible, without inappropriately compromising the safety and functionality of access to the subject site. This has been balanced against and minimising the extent of the impact on trees within the Welshpool Road East road reserve.”
Mayor John Giardina said, “I am pleased that officers, the developer and state government agencies have been able to work together to find a solution that is more aligned with the communities expectations.”
“We are also in the process of listing the trees on the Municipal Heritage Inventory.”
In late 2016 an application as approved for a place of worship at Lot 36 (831) Welshpool Road East, Wattle Grove (OCM 184/2016). A component of this application included a 95m long slip lane within the west-bound portion of the Welshpool Road East Regional Reserve, which would have resulted in the removal of up to 13 existing trees.
During, and since, September 2017 the City received a significant number of enquiries from the community regarding the subject place of worship and concern about the potential removal of lemon scented gum trees adjacent to the subject site, which led to the Council, and the City’s officers, reconsidering options regarding the existing approval and access arrangements.
The City, Main Roads WA and the applicant met in late 2017 to address how the approved design could be modified to mitigate the removal of trees. The outcome of the meeting resulted in agreement to reduce slip lane lengths and tighten up lane widths to absolute minimum standards. The Public Transport Authority advised that it supported the inclusion of the bus stop within the left slip lane as modified on condition that the existing facility is upgraded to reflect current bus stop standards.
The modifications to the design for both slip lanes and proposed upgrading of the existing bus stop has reduced the original requirement to remove 13 trees to only one, with this being a smaller tree located in the central median where the proposed right slip lane is to be located. Other trees will require careful monitoring and assessment to determine any potential impact of roadworks and an independent arborist report will be prepared during construction works as per one of the conditions for the revised development.
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Special Meeting of Council: 17th April 2018 @ 6.30pm
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkNotice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Administration Centre, 2 Railway Road, Kalamunda, on:
Tuesday 17 April 2018 commencing at 6.30pm.
The purpose of the meeting and order of business is:
- Application to Amend Development Approval - Place of Worship - Lot 36, 831 Welshpool Road East, Wattle Grove
John Giardina
Mayor
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Community Update: 19 October 2017
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkPublish Date: 19 October 2017
CEO Rhonda Hardy said, “The City has been working closely with the developer to find a workable solution.”“We are awaiting the redesigned slip lane to be submitted.”
“Once this is provided we will engage with the community on the revised solution and make a recommendation to Council.”
“I would like to thank all of the community members who have shared their thoughts on the proposal, putting forward potential solutions, and encouraging discussion to date.”
“We will continue to keep the community informed of further progress, as well as opportunities to provide their thoughts once the redesigned slip lane is submitted.”
Media Release link: www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/Media-Releases/October-2017/Welshpool-Road-Trees-Community-Update19-10 -
Community Update: 4 October 2017
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkPublished on 4 October 2017
Media Release link: http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/Media-Releases/October-2017/Protecting-the-Trees-on-Welshpool-Road-Community-UpdateThe City of Kalamunda, together with Main Roads WA representatives, and the Developers from the St. Peter Jacobite Syrian Church group put their heads together today to look at solutions as to how the trees can be saved and road access still given to the church group at 831 Welshpool Road in Wattle Grove.
CEO Rhonda Hardy said “The meeting was very positive with all in attendance recognising the critical imperative to protect the trees.”
“Several ideas and options were floated with further investigations being undertaken in regards to the feasibility of these options. We are hopeful a new design could be approved, which would protect trees.”
“Design engineers have been asked to redesign the slip lane by cribbing into the outside lane by 0.5m. The slight reduction in the width of the inside RAV 4 lane would give the designers the scope to shift the slip lane away from the major trees. We are working with Main Roads Heavy Vehicle experts to confirm if this is possible.”
The bus embayment is also a problem causing the slip lane to be longer. The City and the Developer will meet with the PTA to request removal the bus embayment which will again assist in saving trees. The bus stop has very limited usage.
A road safety audit will also be undertaken based upon these new design ideas to ensure safety is not compromised. This may lead to a requirement to reduce the speed on Welshpool Road down to 70kph. The Council will need to resolve to request Main Roads to reduce the speed limit.
The City is encouraging community members to:
- Support the removal of the bus embayment
- Support reduction of the inside lane and the slip lane to be overlapped therefore reducing the total road width by 0.5m.
- Support the reduction of the Welshpool Road to a 70km speed zone.
The City will continue to keep Community members updated regarding progress on the issue.
- Support the removal of the bus embayment
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Community Update: 27 September 2017
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkPublished on 27 September 2017
Media Release link: http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/Media-Releases/September-2017/Welshpool-Rd-East-Gum-Trees-update27-9The City of Kalamunda last night reaffirmed its commitment to working with the developer and community to find a solution.
Mayor Andrew Waddell reiterated the Councils position confirming City staff have also spoken with the developer who advised they were open to considering alternative solutions.
“We are calling on the developer to enter into negotiations with adjoining land owners.”
“We are also inviting the developer to meet with staff to discuss potential solutions, and to submit a revised Development Application if they have any other access options they would like considered.”
Last night, during urgent business approved by the presiding member or by discussion council unanimously passed a motion in relation to Lot 36 Welshpool Road that Council:
- Request the CEO to continue negotiation with the Main Roads and the Applicant, of the proposed development at Lot 36 Welshpool Road, to seek an alternative option to those outlined in Condition n) of City of Kalamunda Planning Approval (OCM 184/2016) of November 2016.
- Encourage the applicant to resubmit a development application for Council consideration.
- Require the CEO to forbid any employee or staff member of the City of Kalamunda from removing, or assisting in the removal, or entering into a contract for the removal of any lemon scented gum trees in front of or adjacent to Lot 36 Welshpool Road other than for an emergency, or as subsequently approved in writing by the City.
The motion followed numerous questions form community and a deputation relating to the trees.
The City will continue to keep Community members updated regarding progress on the issue.
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Community Update: 22 September 2017
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkPublished on 22 September 2017
Media Release link: http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/Media-Releases/September-2017/Welshpool-Rd-East-Gum-Trees-updateThe City of Kalamunda has been in discussions with the developer, community members and Main Roads regarding 10 - 13 Gum Trees, proposed to be removed for the St Peters Jacobite Syrian Church to construct a slip lane, on Welshpool Road East.
Mayor Andrew Waddell, attended a public meeting regarding this matter on Monday 18 September. The Mayor requested staff to contact Main Roads to discuss potential options, following community concern regarding the removal of the trees.
Main Roads officers met with City of Kalamunda officers on Thursday to further discuss access to the new development.
Both Main Roads and the City agree that a slip lane is necessary in the interests of road safety, if access is to come off Welshpool Road East.
Mayor Waddell said: “Main Roads statistics indicate there have been 127 crashes on Welshpool Road East between Boundary Road and Crystal Brook Road on the last ten years, which resulted in five fatalities.
“Following this the City installed wire rope barriers on the southern carriageway in accordance with a national BlackSpot Project which received 100% Federal Government funding. These works were completed in June 2016.
“City staff have also spoken with the developer who advised they were open to considering alternative solutions.
“At this stage the only solution would be for the developer to seek access from another landowner.”
“We are now calling on the developer to enter into negotiations with adjoining land owners if they do want to save the trees.
“The developer is advising this is cost prohibitive.”
“It is extremely disappointing that they seem to be putting costs over community safety and the trees.”
“If the developer wished to retain the trees they must consider access other than from Welshpool Road East.”
“This is about saving lives. We cannot allow another entry point from Welshpool Road East without controls, as it is not safe.”
“If the developer goes ahead with the approval and creates the slip lane council has required them to replant new trees for any they remove.”
The City has already considered the constraints the existing trees pose in this area and have reduced the length of the combined left turn pocket and bus embayment to minimise the impact on the existing trees in this area and still meet Austroads standards. This was the option approved in November 2016.
Ten trees will need to be removed to construct the slip lane if the developer wishes to have access onto Welshpool Road East.
There are more than 800 trees along that stretch of Welshpool Road East, with 169 Scented Gums.
If the developer chooses to proceed with access to the site from Welshpool Road East the 10 lemon scented gums represent 6% of that species and less than 1.2% of the total number of trees on the street.
The developer is also required to submit a landscaping plan, and could replace the lemon scented gums next to the slip lane if they proceed as planned.
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Proposed Place of Worship Welshpool Road East
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkPublished on 15 September 2017
In response to a number of community enquiries, the City of Kalamunda can confirm a Development Application for a proposed place of worship (church) was granted planning approval by Council in November 2016.
The land at Lot 36 (831) is owned by St Peters Jacobite Syrian Church Perth Inc.
Council also approved several conditions to be imposed on the development site. Many of the conditions relate to lighting, bushfire management, vegetation and landscaping, road modifications, parking and required building permits.
The application was advertised for 28 days with letters sent to adjoining property owners.
The application was also sent to the Department of Planning, Main Roads and the Public Transport Authority. Nine submissions were received.
Tree removal arising from the development is necessary to ensure the safety of vehicles on Welshpool Road East.
A number of options were investigated to try to prevent the removal of the trees, however the road safety was considered a higher priority.
All tree removals and road works are being arranged by the developer for the site, and due to begin on 2 October. The City’s staff are monitoring the work.
From 11 to 29 September the City will be undertaking pruning of some other trees in the area to manage the impacts of the other trees being removed..
A majority of mature vegetation is to be retained on the subject site and City requires a landscaping plan be submitted, approved and installed prior to occupation of the place of worship building.
Following completion of the road works, the developer is also required to plant replacement trees in different locations at the City's direction.
A copy of the Council Meeting Minutes for 14 November 2016 are available in the City’s website at http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/About-Us/Agenda-Minutes
Background
On 10 June 2015, the Minister for Planning approved Scheme Amendment No. 61 which included the additional use of Place of Worship under Schedule 2 of the Scheme. The additional use is conditional on the applicant/landowner preparing and implementing a traffic management plan.
The subject site has frontage of 115m to Welshpool Rd East. The surrounding area is zoned Special Rural and Rural Composite. The lot and neighbouring lots are currently vacant.
Media Release link: http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/Media-Releases/September-2017/Proposed-Place-of-Worship-Welshpool-Rd-East
