Approvals first at Rivergums

CEDAR Woods Ltd has received simultaneous rezoning approval under local and state planning schemes for the final stages of its Rivergums estate in Baldivis, the first time dual rezoning has occurred for a major residential development in Western Australia. The developers are among the first to benefit from new streamlining provisions contained in the state government’s Planning and Development Act 2006, designed to boost residential land availability. An estimated 500 new lots at The Rivergums, which was first launched in 2002, will now be fast-tracked for development. Previously, rezoning at the state level had to occur before any local approvals were received, adding 12 to 18 months to the rezoning process. Cedar Woods managing director Paul Sadleir said the creation of a single rezoning process had made a huge difference and delivered substantial benefits to the property industry, which could then be passed on to buyers. Mr Sadleir said the streamlining could only occur if the normal planning and environmental considerations were met. “Support from the City of Rockingham and the Department of Environment and Conservation has also been a key factor in gaining the simultaneous rezoning,” he said in a statement. City of Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels said the dual rezoning process would help the city manage its current rapid growth and expansion. “The Rivergums is another good example of sustainable planning that will benefit our residents,” he said. Earlier this year, Cedar Woods responded to declining housing affordability by launching its Y-Rent initiative at The Rivergums, which set aside small cottage lots and affordable three-bedroom and four-bedroom home packages for first homebuyers. All of the initial-offer Y-Rent packages sold in the first weekend, and Cedar Woods is now working on the next stage of the initiative. Cedar Woods is developing several other residential communities in WA, including The Kestrels in Tapping near Wanneroo, and Mariners Cove and The Islands in Mandurah. Jenelle Carter