Call for review of Hepburn Heights development

26/2/93

Lands Minister George Cash has called for a full review of LandCorp's Hepburn Heights residential development.

Mr Cash wants to enlarge the area of public open space currently planned for the development.

A ballot for 62 blocks in Stage 1 of the development scheduled for March 7, 1993 would now not proceed.

The review follows strong representation from the newly-elected Member for Whitfords, Mr Rob Johnson.

"Our firm position all along has been to retain all of Hepburn Heights for flora and fauna conservation," Mr Cash said.

"This is clearly no longer possible since much of the site has been cleared and development of Stages 1 and 2 is already underway."

Mr Cash said a number of contractual arrangements had been entered into in regard to the first two stages of the development.

"These are binding legal agreements and cannot be broken," he said.

The Minister said a priority would be to provide more open space to link the Hepburn bushland with bush at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park to the north.

"The link between these bushland areas is far too narrow to be effective," Mr Cash said.

"The local community is concerned that the bushland area set aside in the development be viable in the long term and be properly protected and managed.

"Anything that can be done at this late stage to increase both its area and viability will be valuable."

Mr Cash said he had asked LandCorp to come up with a plan to increase the open space component without a loss of revenue.

"The original proposal involved the discounting of blocks in Stages 1 and 2 in particular," he said.

"In order to increase the area of public open space, for both residents and the local community, I believe the discounting policy must be reconsidered.

"I also think it is both appropriate and important that LandCorp's pricing of land does not undercut the private sector."

Mr Cash said he had also asked LandCorp to see if it could accommodate a proposed SECWA substation in its development.

"This substation has been proposed to be located on Lilburne Reserve south of Hepburn Avenue," he said.

"I am opposed to this because it would alienate a further hectare of bushland in the locality.

"It may be possible to locate the substation sensitively in the developed area."

Mr Cash said he believed that LandCorp, as a major developer, should also consider installing appropriate recreation facilities in the remaining Hepburn bushland.

He would raise this matter with the management committee which is expected to meet this month.

Media contact: Peter Terry 222 9595