The City of Canning will take its second shot in three years at revitalising the Burrendah precinct in Willetton but residents say they want to be involved this time.
At their May 17 ordinary meeting, Canning councillors agreed to dump the masterplan adopted by the city in July 2013 and develop a new one at a cost of $80,000.
The masterplan area takes in the Willetton Basketball Stadium, Willetton Library, a childcare centre, Southlands Shopping Centre and Willetton Bowling Club.
Willetton Progress Association chair Jim Reddyhough said residents were not consulted during the development of the last masterplan and urged the city to reach out to them this time.
“The current concept, which we’ve had on the books for several years now, we didn’t have any say in that at all,” he said.
“It was either a case of we accept the plan or we fight against it.
“The only thing I can say is that if someone else is going to design it they ought to give residents a chance to look at a rough sketch of it before they even start drawing a decent drawing of it.
“It would be far better if we were consulted earlier on.”
Mr Reddyhough would like to see the aged care homes stay in the precinct with ease of access to a new or upgraded library and shopping centre.
He also urged the council to push for no loss of car parking space in any expansion of the shopping centre.
Canning chief executive Lyn Russell said the council would speak to residents and other stakeholders when developing the new masterplan.
“A part of the process will include community engagement with a broad range of stakeholders including the progress association,” she said.
She said the city was committed to revitalising the precinct and had already done so with upgrades to the sports club, new bowling club and financially assisting the basketball association prepare a feasibility study and business plan.
