Published on Friday, 28 June 2024 at 9:50:00 AM
The development potential of Claisebrook will be put on pause until 2027 following a disappointing decision by the WA Planning Commission, according to Mayor Alison Xamon.
The Hanson and Holcim concrete batching plants have operated at 71 Edward Street and 120 Claisebrook Road since the early 2000s. These sites were intended to be temporary.
At its meeting on 27 June 2024, the WAPC approved a time limited extension for both plants until 31 December 2027.
Their previous approvals were due to end on 30 June 2024. Both companies had applied for seven-year time extensions.
The decision goes against Vincent Council’s move in March 2024 to not support any time limit extension.
The plants are inconsistent with the Local Planning Scheme No. 2, Local Planning Strategy and the North Claisebrook Planning Framework.
Council also decided in November 2023 to support the relocation of the plants. It agreed to help Hanson move from Claisebrook to Vincent’s Works Depot in Osborne Park, subject to development approval from the City of Stirling.
“The City of Vincent is very disappointed with the WAPC’s decision as it goes against our long-standing position to move these concrete batching plants out of Claisebrook,” said Ms Xamon.
“It is disheartening for local residents, businesses and property owners who have been fighting for the relocation of these plants for more than 20 years.
“The livelihood and well-being of residents, and development aspirations of property owners of neighbouring sites, have been held back once again.
“We would like to see these plants move on so that the area can flourish into an urban community with high density, diverse housing, employment opportunities and leisure activities as outlined in our planning framework.
“We take some comfort that within the three-and-a-half-year extension, the companies are required to meet particular milestones in order to keep operating. On the agreed extension timeframes, the blocks will need to be cleared by the end of 2027.”
Holcim's concrete batching plant in Claisebrook.
Ms Xamon said over the past six years, the area had undergone a massive regeneration with an abundance of new cafes, restaurants and apartments.
“Claisebrook is a prime location for transit oriented, mixed-use development as it has two train stations and is on the doorstep of the Perth CBD,” she said.
“The existence of these plants prevents the delivery of high density, transit oriented mixed-use development on these sites, which would complement the growth of the area.
“Both operators have consistently demonstrated a complete unwillingness to relocate consistent with their previous extensions.
“We expect the WAPC to finally hold the operators to this approval and ensure they immediately commence transitioning from the site and shut down their operations in the shortest possible timeframe.
“Holcim and Hanson should not have received any extension – they have had decades to relocate and their ongoing presence as a prohibited use just gives them a market advantage over their competitors they do not deserve.
“We will continue to advocate for their relocation over the next three-and-a-half years to provide our community certainty and confidence and make our vision for Claisebrook come to life.”
Vincent will continue to support the relocation of Hanson’s operations from Claisebrook to Vincent’s Works Depot in Osborne Park, subject to development approval from the City of Stirling.
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