Cockburn council has sided with the residents of Glen Iris Estate and rejected subdivision plans for the former golf course site.
But the fate of the golf course remains in the balance with the final decision on Eastcourt’s proposed structure plan to be made by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti.
The council voted emphatically 9-1 to refuse the local structure plan despite its own planning officers recommending the change be allowed.
Councilor Chontelle Stone put forward an alternative motion for the city to recommend that the Minister for Planning refuse the application.
“The proposal represents an unacceptable impact to the established character of the area,” Cr Stone said.
“The removal of 700 trees will also create a significant reduction of the city’s urban tree canopy over a set period of time and also negatively impact the existing foraging grounds for the endangered Carnaby cockatoos.”
After a lengthy hour-long debate, all but one councilor voted to support Cr Stone’s alternate motion, a decision that was met with cheers and applause from the residents who attended last Thursday’s council meeting.
The fight to protect the land has been ongoing for more than two years after the privately-owned Glen Iris Golf Course in Jandakot closed in April 2020.
Currently zoned ‘special use no. 1’, the site permits a golf course estate, private recreation, hotel, convention center and associated uses.
But Eastcourt Property Group proposed a scheme amendment to rezone the land and turn the 54.9ha open space into a residential community.
Director of Acumen Development Solutions Jarrod Rendell, who manages the project on behalf of Eastcourt, said they were disappointed the city did not support the rezoning and structure plan to transform the former Glen Iris Golf Course.
“We believe our vision for a boutique residential estate at Glen Iris has a lot to offer both existing and future residents,” Mr Rendell said.
“We will continue to work with the community and the relevant authorities as the project now moves through the State Government planning process.”
The final decision on the proposed scheme amendment will be made by Ms Saffioti and following her decision, the Western Australian Planning Committee will determine the outcome of the proposed structure plan.
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