Petition to Uphold the City of Stirling’s Recommendation for Age-Restricted Social Housing

1,433

The issue

To: Nicole Alexander, State Development Assessment Unit (SDAU) & the Statutory Planning Committee, Western Australian Planning Commission 


We, the undersigned, demand that the SDAU uphold the City of Stirling’s lawful conditional recommendation (Resolution 0425/002, 1 April 2025) for the approval of the non-compliant development at 969-971 Beaufort Street, Inglewood. Approval must be contingent on a restrictive covenant legally binding the Department of Communities to restrict occupancy to residents aged 55+ (seniors).


1. The Department’s Unreliable Commitments

The Department’s public assurances about this being "seniors housing" are not legally enforceable, relying on vague terms such as:

2. Community Safety at Stake: Lessons from 157 Ninth Avenue

The failed management of 157 Ninth Avenue (700m from 969/971 Beaufort Street) proves the risks of unenforceable promises:

3. Legal and Planning Justifications

  • City of Stirling’s rejection cited non-compliance with Local Planning Policy 3.1A (character retention) and Draft LPS4 (Council Minutes, 1 April 2025).
  • WA Audit Office findings show the Department’s poor track record managing disruptive behaviour in social housing (Audit Report, 2018).

4. Demand: Restrictive Covenant or No Approval

A covenant is the only enforceable mechanism to ensure:

  • Compliance with the City’s conditions.
  • Prevention of another high-risk tenant crisis like 157 Ninth Avenue.
  • Accountability from the Department, which has refused to formalise its promises.

5. Community Impact

  • Businesses: Already suffering from crime linked to 157 Ninth Avenue.
  • Families: Many are leaving the area to avoid risking exposing their children to criminal and antisocial behaviour.
  • Seniors: The promised demographic deserves housing tailored to their needs, not mixed with high-needs tenants, and built to the Gold Standard for Senior Housing/Livable Housing Design Standards as recommended by the Disability Royal Commission (recommendation 7.35).
  • Depositions made to the City of Stirling about the extent of the community’s concerns about the management of 157 Ninth Avenue and the concurrent development at 969/971 Beaufort Street can be found in the City’s meeting minutes:

Supporting Documents

NEW Media Coverage since petition launch: 

avatar of the starter
Paris FitzpatrickPetition starter

The Decision Makers

Statutory Planning Committee
Statutory Planning Committee
Nicole Alexander
Nicole Alexander
State Development Assessment Unit
State Development Assessment Unit

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Petition created on 20 April 2025