State Government decision on Hope Valley and Wattleup

27/3/01
The communities of Hope Valley and Wattleup will be offered an opportunity to have a say on the future of their towns.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced today that a consultative survey would be circulated to all residents, landowners and businesses to provide the State Government with a definitive view on whether the communities wanted to continue with the previous Government's policy to acquire their homes and ultimately close the towns.
The survey would make it clear that if the towns were to stay permanently open, the voluntary property acquisition process could not continue.
Ms MacTiernan said Cabinet also had agreed that if the towns were to close, compensation would be paid to home owners as part of the acquisition process. The previous Government had refused compensation payments, even though the costs of relocation were clearly considerable.
The State Government would pay (over and above the market property value) $9,000 for those properties acquired over the rest of this financial year, $9,500 for those purchased next year and $10,000 for those whose properties were bought thereafter.
"I met with about 200 residents last week to hear directly what the issues were for the communities," Ms MacTiernan said.
"On the basis of the input I received there and given that a significant number of residents were unable to attend, I felt it important that a final, official round of communication be undertaken with the two communities.
"The Labor Government also will establish a community management group to ensure - whether the towns remain open or will close in the future - that there is a good standard of amenity for residents.
"Labor committed in Opposition to keeping Hope Valley and Wattleup open if that was what the majority wanted. We also said that if the townsites were closed, that home owners should be compensated - I am happy to say we are able now to deliver on that promise."
Ms MacTiernan said the people of the townsites had had their lives turned upside down by the process initiated under the previous Government.
"They deserve some compensation if they are going to have to leave their homes," she said.
Media contact: Tamatha Smith, 9213 6400