Amendment to the Knutsford Street east structure plan

The City has made amendments to the Knutsford Street East Structure Plan. The purpose of the amendment is to more easily allow for redevelopment of the area.

Council approved the amendments and authorised submission of the amended structure plan to the WAPC for final approval at their meeting on 27 September 2017.

The WAPC approved the changes (subject to some minor modifications) and revised Structure Plan was endorsed in April 2018.

You can access the Council minutes here.

Amendment to the Knutsford Street east structure plan presented to council

The Planning Committee considered a report for amendments to the Knutsford Street east structure plan on 6 September 2017. A report which assesses the public feedback has been prepared, presenting a final version of the amendment for adoption by council. Council will consider this report at its meeting on 27 September 2017.

The report for this meeting is available for viewing in the Planning Committee minutes for 6 September on the agenda and minutes page.

An update on the progress of the structure plan

Thank you to everyone who attended our community information session and sent us a submission in July 2017.

We had a great response, with more than 40 people attending the information session, over 20 submissions lodged. About half were in support of the changes, subject to some clarifications, and half against. The key objections referred to building height and density particularly for development on Stack St and Blinco St, traffic, parking, the deletion of a specific neighbourhood centre location and the compatibility of existing business and new development

Your feedback will now be used to consider any further amendments to the Knutsford Street East Structure Plan.

At this stage, we expect to report to back council in September 2017.

We appreciate your ongoing interest in the Knutsford Street East Structure Plan. If you would like further information, please feel free to get in touch.

Why has the structure plan been amended?

The Knutsford Street East Local Structure Plan was adopted by council in February 2008. While the vision and intent of the Structure Plan are still valid, some of the provisions are worded in such a way as to inadvertently hinder development and due to its age some aspects of the plan are no longer consistent with the current Planning and Development Regulations 2015, Local Planning Scheme No. 4 or the Residential Design Codes.

The City’s vision for the Knutsford Street area, as expressed in the structure plan is:

To redevelop an ageing underutilised industrial area through the introduction of a mix of residential and commercial uses supported by a neighbourhood centre and integrated with the existing community via the application of sustainable planning principles which retain the historic character of its former industrial use without compromising the amenity of existing and future residents and workers.

The City acknowledges that some of the provisions in the current Knutsford Street East Structure Plan may be making development in the area unviable or difficult. A number of owners and occupiers have expressed an interest in redevelopment and the City supports this, where it aligns with the vision and objectives of the structure plan.

Following discussions with landowners and occupiers in October 2016, a series of amendments to the structure plan have been drafted. In March 2017 Council approved advertising of draft amendments to the structure plan. These include amendments to provisions requiring commercial uses, clarification of public open space requirements and a more uniform application of maximum building heights and densities.

These are now being formally advertised, and we welcome your comments.

How can I comment?

The public comment period closed on 7 July 2017.