Meltham Surrounds

Project Purpose

The project called 'Meltham Surrounds' was to investigate further detailed planning within a wider area of Meltham Train Station, than was considered as part of the Meltham Station Precinct Structure Plan.

Background

Following a direction from the State government, the City worked closely with our community to develop an amendment to the City’s Town Planning Scheme for an area approximately 800m from the Meltham Train Station. This is predominantly a residential area in the shape of a donut; and we refer to it as Meltham surrounds.

A comprehensive community engagement process was held with residents and landowners to identify what was important to them in terms of density, design, built form and streetscapes, what improvements they wanted to see and how to retain the neighbourhood’s character.

The result of this was an amendment that reflected the community’s desire for an increase in density on the proviso a number of conditions were met, including that the tree canopy be protected and enhanced. This amendment was supported by Council and sent to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) for approval.

Outcome

The City forwarded Council's recommendation and all the relevant information (proposed scheme amendment) to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) for their consideration and final decision.

After the City sent the proposed scheme amendment to the WAPC for their consideration and final decision, the WAPC directed the City to modify its draft Local Planning Strategy by reducing the Meltham Station Precinct area from an approximate 800m (10 minute walkable catchment) to a 400m (5 minute walkable catchment). This modification resulted in a misalignment between the proposed scheme amendment and the City’s modified draft Local Planning Strategy.

The Minister for Planning, the Hon Rita Saffioti, MLA, has decided to refuse scheme amendment on the basis that it no longer aligns with the City’s modified draft Local Planning Strategy.

What this means?

The decision made by the Minister for Planning means that land within the Meltham Surrounds scheme amendment area will not be rezoned as proposed as part of this process. The City may relook at potential zoning changes in the future, however at this stage nothing has been scheduled.