The City of Canning council agreed to seek community input regarding the redevelopment of a Willetton park area at last week’s council meeting in a move that could see more than $1 million brought into the city’s purse.
The Hilltop Park playground on Hilltop Rise in Willetton was developed in 2010 on about one-third of a vacant lot.
The city was now considering rezoning the unused land for subdivision into residential blocks with a long driveway.
An independent quantity surveyor report estimated revenue from the subdivision sales would be about $1.18 million.
The city had looked at expanding the playground area to fill the entire lot but the officer recommendation opposed the suggestion because of the risk of increased antisocial behaviour in areas obstructed from public view by the existing playground area and bushland.
A proposal to fill the area with native trees and plants was opposed by the officer because it could create a fire hazard.
The city said money raised from the subdivision could go toward replacing playgrounds, social facilities, planting native trees and improving lighting at other parks in the area.
The recommendation asked the council support the proposal to subdivide the lot and seek community consultation on the matter.
Councillor Lindsay Holland said he would prefer to vote on the matter after public consultation had been sought.
“I can’t abide by the selling of public open spaces,” he said.
Mr Holland said his main concern was the city did not have another park in mind to replace the lost area at the Hilltop Rise lot.
“We should replace public spaces with new public spaces.”
Councillor Ben Kunze said he was keen to see the outcomes of community consultation.
The vote was split 5-5.
Mayor Paul Ng’s vote was required to break the deadlock and he voted in favour.
The city will now contact property owners in the area and place appropriate advertisements for public input.
