Proposed development looms for Glen Iris Golf Course site in Jandakot
More than 18 months after golfers farewelled the greens of Glen Iris Golf Course, developers have taken the first formal step towards rezoning the site for a future subdivision.
Landowner Eastcourt has submitted a proposed scheme amendment to the City of Cockburn’s Town Planning Scheme No. 3 to rezone five lots on the site from special use to development and one lot from residential R40 to development.
If approved, the proposed amendment would merge the six lots into a single ‘development zone’ which would precede a structure plan being put in place to govern development of a mix of residential properties and open space.
The City of Cockburn will now seek permission from State Government bodies to put a proposed scheme amendment for the Glen Iris Golf Course site out for public comment, despite another fiery clash with residents who live nearby and want the former course returned to a natural preservation.
One woman was escorted from the December 9 Cockburn council meeting after she and others yelled from the public gallery for about 10 minutes when Mayor Logan Howlett closed public question time without hearing her questions.
Some screamed phrases including “disgusting”, “free speech” and “you just tick it all off”.
The interruptions continued when Eastcourt and Rowe Group representatives were presenting their deputation.
Rowe Group director George Hajigabriel told the council that his team had been working on the scheme amendment for 18 months.
Mr Hajigabriel said the current different zonings at the site would result in “disjointed and ad-hoc” development so a scheme amendment and structure plan was needed.
The council voted 6-1 to ask the WA Planning Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority to approve the proposal for public advertising for 60 days.
Councillors Chontelle Stone and Tarun Dewan sat out the vote after declaring impartial interests while Cr Lara Kirkwood was absent on maternity leave.
Cr Phoebe Corke’s amendment to hold a community forum during the public advertising period, should it be approved for advertising, was also passed.
Cr Corke said no matter how many councillors wanted to retain the golf course, it was not their decision and the current zonings could result in much higher density and less open space.
“It is incumbent of us to look for the best solution,” she said.
“It just starts an open process – this decision is not indicating our support.
“It is just eliminating a much worse outcome.”
Acumen Development Solutions project director Jarrod Rendell, which is managing the Glen Iris Estate project on behalf of Eastcourt, said a boutique residential estate at Glen Iris would have a lot to offer the Jandakot community and future residents.
He said they looked forward to taking part in a comprehensive and transparent statutory planning process.
Jandakot Residents and Ratepayers Association spokeswoman Leanne Chaproniere told PerthNow the association would continue to advocate for the return of a working golf course with integrated residential, as it was currently zoned.
Prominent lawyer John Hammond is working with the association and Glen Iris Golf Course Estate residents, who used this month’s meeting to reiterate concerns about declining flora and fauna population at the site, the possible loss of between 700 and 1200 trees and struggles to get onto nearby golf courses.
“We don’t want to hear ‘this is private property and they can do with it what they want’,” Ms Chaproniere said.
“It is not fair and is totally unreasonable.
“We would like to see the (State) Government put as much time and effort into the golf course as they are doing with the wave park.
“Both are such wonderful assets to this community and could be so much better if they both worked together.”
The 60-year-old course in Jandakot closed in March 2020.
Source: Perth Now
