30 May 2006

Text may be used as quotes attributed to Mr Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman, Western Australian Planning Commission

The Western Australian Turf Club has presented the WAPC with a structure plan to reconstruct Belmont Park racecourse and develop the surrounding area as a major residential and recreational precinct.

The redevelopment provides for a mix of uses including high rise and medium density housing and retail and commercial uses. It also includes a new racetrack and grandstand and revegetation of the Swan River foreshore for public access.

The WAPC has given the proposal its support in principle. The WAPC believes that the WATC has presented an outstanding application of Network City principles based on the promotion of a major activity centre at an inner city location.

The WAPC has requested the WATC make a number of changes to the structure plan including that the first stage of development include high density housing to justify the commencement of regular passenger services at Belmont Park train station.

The WAPC also drew attention to the importance of developing a strategy for the  integration of the project with current planning for the Burswood Peninsula and the provision of affordable housing.

The next step in the process is for the WAPC to rezone the land in the Metropolitan Region Scheme.  The Town of Victoria Park will need to adopt the structure plan before development proceeds.

Both processes will involve community consultation, which may lead to further changes in plans for the development.

ends