Cambridge density plan rejected

Six years of surveys, community consultation and planning have come to naught in the Town of Cambridge, after Planning Minister Donna Faragher rejected proposed changes to the area’s town planning scheme.

Earlier this week, Ms Faragher told Town of Cambridge council that she had refused Amendment 31 to the town’s planning scheme, changes that had been designed to foster higher-density living.

The amendment was initiated in February last year to allow for strata developments on corner lots, two-storey apartments along Cambridge Street, and manor house apartments, which are multiple dwelling projects designed to look like large single houses. It was opposed by many residents and was considered a key reason for big changes during the council's election process which saw previous Mayor Simon Withers ousted.

The process to make those changes began in 2010, after residents in a survey undertaken by market research group CATALYSE on behalf of the Town of Cambridge made it clear that they wanted more housing options.

In 2012, the Town of Cambridge worked closely with architecture firm CODA Studio to investigate what sort of different housing types would be appropriate for the area, resulting in a housing options brochure being produced in 2013.

Another survey of ratepayers was conducted in 2014, prior to the council adopting the changes last year.

Ms Faragher said she had rejected the amendment because the Town of Cambridge was simultaneously progressing a new local planning strategy, which would address the state government’s objectives with respect to density, housing diversity and infill.

“It is apparent that progressing with the current course of action is unlikely to result in an outcome I would be able to support,” Ms Faragher said in a letter to council.

“Therefore I have concluded it would be wasteful for the existing direction on Amendment 31 to be complied with.”

Recently elected Town of Cambridge Mayor Keri Shannon said the opportunity to start fresh on a planning strategy was a win for the community.

However, Property Council of Australia WA executive director, Lino Iacomella, said the rejection of Amendment 31 was a disappointing outcome for local residents seeking more housing diversity.

“The decision also highlights a common problem in local government in Perth – the lack of early strategic planning to inform the community and industry about future housing needs,” he said.

“The only good thing out of this is the Town of Cambridge now recognises that it has a responsibility to prepare a new strategy to achieve greater housing density.”

The Town of Cambridge is also preparing a planning strategy for its town centre, known as the Wembley Activity Centre, which is open for public comment until the end of the month.

That strategy proposes four development precincts to allow for more residents, as well as additional retail and hospitality developments at street level to provide activation.

At a special meeting of council last month, Ms Shannon said a seven-storey limit was considered to be the maximum height for developments around the Cambridge town centre.