Cottesloe consider legal action against high-rise plans

By Ella Benzie, 5 April 2011

Cottesloe locals claims their opinions are being ignored, despite a successful meeting organised by protest groups against the government’s five to eight-storey development proposal along Cottesloe beach almost a month ago.

The meeting, organised by Keep Cott Low and S.O.S. Cottesloe, held on the 16^th of March, produced a Vote of No Confidence in Planning Minister John Day, but the proposal has not been withdrawn or altered.

Keep Cott Low will consider all options if the development goes ahead, including asking the Cottesloe Council to intervene and do what they can, addressing local member Colin Barnett, and even legal action, said President John Hammond last Thursday.

A petition signed by over 8000 local and international people has indicated that 90 per cent of locals are against the proposal, as they will lose their views, and the developments will increase traffic levels and create a shadow over the beach, he said.

“Cottesloe is a popular low-scale development, part of its appeal being that the pine trees dominate the landscape, not the buildings,” said the former mayor.

“If the developments go ahead, Cottesloe will turn into a mini Gold Coast, which we do not want or need.”

Environmental planning and architectural consultant Garry Baverstock’s opinion that the development plan is not sustainable in terms of global warming, has caused even more concern from locals.

“Already many places around the world say that it is not sustainable to build along the beach, so what makes Cottesloe any different,” said Mr Hammond.

Locals will support whatever actions protest groups like Keep Cott Low suggest to stop the developments, as they are tired of feeling that the government is not paying enough attention to the local community’s values, said resident Elliott Kaye.

“Our opinions are being ignored, when we are the ones who have to live with the developments if they go ahead, and we will be predominately affected by any environmental damage,” said Mr Kaye last Saturday.

“There is definitely room for development in regards to tourism along Cottesloe beach, but not on such a large and extreme scale.”

If the plans are to go ahead unaltered, the state government has been assured by the Cottesloe community that it will face further protests, and that the community, “will not give up without a fight,” said Mr Kaye.