RESPONSES TO THE PETITION TO SAVE THE PARK AT SOUTH TRIGG

Dear Supporters,

WAPC Chair David Caddy and the Chair of Surfing WA, Mike Best, have each responded to questions regarding the noncompliance to DC policy 5.3, called out via the petition to “Save the park at South Trigg” as follows:

From Mr. Caddy:

“SPC considered and determined the application following due process and having regard to all relevant planning considerations”.  Mr. Caddy also added that “Policy is not binding on decision makers”.

From Mr. Best:

“The project has been found to comply with all relevant planning and development policies, and as a result we have been granted a Development Approval”.

The chairs of these organisations have in effect advised that they take no responsibility for the inequity, unfairness, bias, and fallacies associated with this decision because the required boxes have been ticked.

Or, put another way:

“We have complied with all relevant planning and development policies by not complying with relevant planning and development policies!”

Sadly, there have been so many misrepresentations regarding the proposal to remove the park, it requires a lengthy dossier, which is why an official complaint has been lodged with the WA Ombudsman.

The crux of the complaint is the repeated claims of a “proactive and extensive community consultation process” which:

• Resulted in a sample of 120 people from all over WA, at least half likely to be representatives of Surfing WA, being cited as the only evidence of community support during 3 stages of the approval process
• Also resulted in a desperate community, frustrated because they weren't actually consulted and only became aware of the proposal after any opportunity to have their say was withdrawn, resorting to initiating two petitions plus numerous submissions to decision making authorities advising that they value public green space highly and do not believe it should be replaced by a building which no doubt belongs in a business park!

For your information, other matters raised within this complaint include:

• The withholding of crucial information from the public regarding:
  • References to the building being included in the Trigg Masterplan without clarifying that the plan included a significant extension to the parkland along the Trigg foreshore, rather than the wholesale removal of it, and a building approximately one fifth of the size of the proposed building
  • 413 sqm of hardstand/loading bay encroaching on vegetated protected dunes. The public was not informed of the additional paved area in any published documentation during the “consultation” process, not to mention the extension into protected area
  • the location being part of Bush Forever area 308 was never mentioned either
• The false reporting of statistics regarding the number of customers as well as past and projected business growth of Surfing WA which has been the subject of many enquiries – all of which remain unaddressed

It appears there is little that can be done to persuade the relevant government agencies to take responsibility for the deeply flawed process that has led to public opinion being ignored in this instance, not to mention a host of other anomalies. 

It also appears we have been unable to persuade Surfing WA to investigate alternative locations for their offices.  Unfortunately, it seems they are prepared to proceed with creating a legacy of discontent within our community.

Perhaps the best course of action now is to ensure such travesties do not occur in future.

One way to do this is to become a supporter of the Friends of Trigg Beach. The objectives of this valuable and influential community group are to: “Help protect the natural environment and to stop inappropriate development at Trigg Beach”.

You can contact them either by emailing:friendsoftriggbeach@gmail.com  or via their Facebook page at: www.facebook/savetriggbeach

Thank you very much for support and your desire to change our world for the better.