Underwood Ave development approved

The state government has approved a contentious development proposal by UWA for bushland on Underwood Avenue in Shenton Park, but almost half of the lot will have to be retained as a conservation area and public open space.

See full statement from the Environment Minister Donna Faragher below:

Environment Minister Donna Faragher has given final approval for the proposed conservation and development of Lot 4 Underwood Avenue, Shenton Park.

This follows the agreement of the Water Corporation, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and the City of Nedlands.

The land is zoned for urban use and, in 2007, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) recommended that the development proposal by The University of WA (UWA) could go ahead subject to conditions. In response, 36 appeals were received.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher upheld the appeals related to the impact of the development on Carnaby's Black Cockatoo habitat.

In response, UWA submitted a modified proposal that was supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

"I previously considered the EPA's report, the Appeals Convenor's report and the advice of the DEC, in determining the appeals against the proposal," Mrs Faragher said.

"More recently, the statutory decision making authorities - the City of Nedlands, the Water Corporation and the WAPC - confirmed the proposal can proceed subject to strict conditions.

"As a result of this consultation, I believe the conditions provide a balanced and agreed approach to the conservation and development of the Underwood Ave site."

Through the conditions, the Minister has required UWA to:
* establish a 13.9 hectare conservation area to be covenanted for the long-term protection of plant species suitable for foraging and roosting for Carnaby's Black Cockatoo. This area, together with the two hectares reserved for public open space, means approximately 47 per cent of the site will not be developed
* prepare and implement a rehabilitation and management plan for the conservation area
*develop the site in a staged manner, subject to future approvals
* submit an environmental compliance report every year to the office of the EPA and the City of Nedlands, stating whether the proponent has complied with each condition. These reports are to be publicly available.