COTTESLOE Council has failed its residents, says Heritage Minister Graham Kierath.
Mr Kierath refused to use his Ministerial discretion to grant a heritage listing for 66 John Street.
However, earlier this month he had used that discretion to list a house at 42 John Street.
He said the council had not changed its Town Planning Scheme to meet concerns raised by residents five years ago.
He said the council recommended five years ago in its own Municipal Heritage Inventory to incorporate Heritage Precincts and development guidelines and incentives into its Town Planning Scheme.
Mr Kierath said the disappointment of residents in John Street was a direct result of the council failing to get its house in order on heritage issues and building guides.
“The council can’t have it both ways,” he said.
“They can’t do nothing and then claim they are not to blame for the shortcomings when a group of residents complains.
“It may be smart local politics, and if people fall for it, that is their business.
“However, the council can’t deny that in five years it has done nothing to put guidelines in place.”
