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Dear Sir/Madam

Re: Proposed Dalkeith Redevelopment

We would like to record our strong objection to the proposed redevelopment in Dalkeith. We chose to live in Circe Circle North, Dalkeith when we bought our house 12 years ago because of its quiet and peaceful atmosphere. We do not want to live close to our neighbours, nor near shops, cafes or other commercial activity, and this is why we did not buy in Subiaco or Cottesloe. We are very unhappy that developers and others, who are not likely to live in Dalkeith, now want to impose a lifestyle on us that we did not choose. Further, they want to impose facilities on us that we do not need or want.

We like the fact that there is virtually no traffic in our street and that the only thing you hear are the birds, an occasional car and kids walking to school. We like the fact that there is no large shopping precinct or many venues that are open at night time. This means that it is only the residents of Dalkeith who use the small shopping centre and who are in our suburb at night. This also means that we can allow our school aged children to walk to school and our teenage children to walk home from their friends at night. This is why we have very little traffic in an around our street. This is what we chose and paid our money for and this is what we would like to keep.

We do not need or want more shops or cafes or short term accommodation. The current shopping facilities are more than adequate for our immediate needs, as they include a supermarket, a butcher, a baker, a chemist, a newsagent, a dry cleaner, a hairdresser, a bottle shop, a petrol station and a medical practice. What more do you need? If we want to do any other shopping there is the greatly to be expanded Claremont shopping centre within 5 minutes’ drive per car and the Broadway Shopping Centre at the same distance away. There are numerous shops in Stirling Highway. We want a peaceful village atmosphere to live in not more shopping and more commercial activity imposed on us by people who want to make money here, not live here. Why do all suburbs have to be turned into clones of each other? Why can Dalkeith not remain what it is – a little village at the end of a peninsula within easy distance of all the shopping and entertainment that we could want?

We do not have any objection to some blocks in the current proposed redevelopment area being subdivided, but only on the basis of one subdivision per current block, a limited height of 2 storeys and current setback limits. We are of the view that no redevelopment should occur opposite the school, as our children and grandchildren should be able to enjoy walking to school safely with a minimum of traffic and activity in their street.

As subdivided blocks would be ideal for the large number of older residents in Dalkeith, the Council should rather look at creating facilities for older people, such as a bridge club and heated swimming pool.

Any new commercial development should be limited to the existing established commercial/retail areas in Waratah Avenue. All commercial development should be limited to 3 storeys.

We are of the view that the current plan for the redevelopment is totally out of character with the village atmosphere of Dalkeith and so shocking in its scale and allowed dimensions to be fatally flawed. We urge Council to scrap the plan and start again to design a development which is in character with our tree-lined streets, and low-height shopping precinct. Please do not take the attitude that the Council is wedded to the plan because it has spent a lot of money on it. Let us not allow the tail to wag the dog, but design a redevelopment with the support of the local residents that is in character with our village and meets the needs of its inhabitants.

We support the aims and views of PADD.

Please look after the interests of the residents of Dalkeith and not the interests of outsiders!

Yours faithfully

Hannes and Anette Schoombee, Stefan and Andre
Circe Circle North
Dalkeith