Karrinyup Secondary Centre

The City met with the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage to discuss the preparation of a Structure Plan. It was determined that a Precinct Structure Plan would not be required because:

• The requirements in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 that trigger the requirement for a Structure Plan were not met
• Most of the land in the Secondary Centre is already approved, under construction or complete and a Structure Plan can’t alter that outcome
• The matters addressed by a Precinct Structure Plan have already been addressed by the approval and construction of the shopping centre
• A Precinct Structure Plan is only a ‘due regard’ document. The Town Planning Scheme can contain provisions for height and built form and they will carry more weight than a planning document that is due regard.

Given the above it was agreed by DPLH that the City should undertake community engagement and depending on the outcome of the engagement undertake any amendments to the Scheme and policies as required.

The Community Reference Group (CRG) is comprised of a panel of people who registered to represent a section of the community or a particular interest, in this engagement exercise. The CRG has met twice so far, to facilitate practical exchange of ideas, concerns and processes relating to the Karrinyup Secondary Centre.

The CRG was established to create an open dialogue between community members, stakeholders and the City. Members of the CRG have been encouraged to communicate their involvement back into the community. Registration for the CRG took place at the Vision Workshop and after invitation letters were sent out to the community.

Development in the Karrinyup Secondary Centre and the redevelopment of the Shopping Centre itself, have led to significant community objections. Broadly, the objections relate to the overdevelopment of the site with high-rise apartments and the desire for strategic planning to be undertaken in the Centre.

Community members formed the Karrinyup Residents for Responsible Development (KRRD), conducted independent surveys of the community, tabled petitions to the City and consistently attended council meetings, determined to have an impact on the proposed developments.

These actions culminated in seven motions being presented at the Special Electors’ Meeting held on 24 February 2021. Council considered these motions at its meeting held 30 March 2021 and resolved 11 recommendations including the preparation of a report to explore the strategic planning options for the centre. Council considered this report at its meeting on 17 August 2021 and resolved to undertake a Community Engagement Strategy, Planning Process and establish a Community Reference Group (CRG) to determine the vision for the centre.

The Community Engagement Strategy involved the operation of a Vision Workshop and Design Workshop, plus regular CRG meetings. The workshops have concluded with online engagement material showcasing the community vision which will inform the planning process that is required to implement the vision for the Karrinyup Secondary Centre.