newsletters

Sent: Friday, 15 February 2008 9:27 AM
To: dalkeith@nedlands.wa.gov.au
Cc: pa.densitydalkeith@yahoo.com
Subject: Concept Draft Built Form Design Guidelines ( Precinct 18) December 2007

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my very strong objection to the above proposed scheme.

Although the council knew about the far reaching ramifications of this scheme for over six months, it made no attempt to inform Dalkeith residents at large of it till just before Christmas. It appears that a select few ratepayers were consulted, particularly those who may have some possible financial gain.

As for the scheme itself;

The council has no idea what effect the scheme will have on the suburb. I requested confirmation by email of my calculation of an extra 800 apartments and 26000 sm of shop area (see attachment) and was told that the council had no idea since no study had been carried out. If an architecture student had come up with such a proposal they would be ridiculed for drawing up a scheme without any input parameters, let alone a council putting out a scheme which could affect the lives of a whole suburb.
Why would Dalkeith need a commercial centre when the shops already there are difficult to lease? Does this mean that the council intends to encourage people from other suburbs to come and shop. Has the council been to Claremont lately where the shopping centre is expanding rapidly?
Does the council have any unstated plans to bring in Homeswest applicants to occupy the 70sm flats. If the intention is to relocate retirees, why are the flats not at ground level. Having flats above shops or commercial will turn the zone into a slum.

Also, many people witnessed the handling of the Steve’s hotel expansion; holding secret meetings and using public land for carspaces which should have been provided by the developer. Manoeuvres like these are not worthy of a local council. Please do not repeat such illegal and corrupt acts in this Dalkeith development matter..

The scheme should be torn up, a publicized survey carried out amongst the residents of Dalkeith and a scheme drawn up following the results of the survey

Yours,

Malcolm Plummer