A City of Canning councillor said he did not care for suggestions he should back away from a controversial Shelley development in order to strengthen his re-election in October.
Patrick Hall is a councillor for the Bannister Ward, which includes the suburbs Rossmoyne, Shelley and the northwest corner of Willetton.
Mr Hall and fellow Bannister representative Ben Kunze have been targets of criticism since preparations for a Shelley Beach foreshore Master Plan began last year.
Last month the city released results from an independent survey of 3300 properties, which asked them about the foreshore area including whether they supported a cafe development.
Only 758 residents responded to the survey but 66 per cent of those respondents supported the cafe proposal.
However, opposition groups have maintained their stance.
Mr Hall said during a recent meeting another councillor had even suggested he back down from the proposal in order to help his chance at re-election at the October council elections.
He said he would decide soon whether to run again but his position on the area’s development would not change just to garner votes.
“It would be inappropriate of me to consider the timing of an election and sit on my hands for six months to let it go by,” he said.
“I’d rather do some good on it than no good at all.”
Mr Hall said opponents had unfairly painted him and Mr Kunze as supporters of a cafe development.
He said the city had heard there was interest in developing the area and the survey was sent out to gauge how much public support there was for it.
“I have not come out publicly saying I support a cafe, I have never supported it,” he said.
“I am supporting whatever the majority of residents support and I feel that’s my role as an elected member.
“I can sleep comfortably at night if the community votes overwhelmingly against the cafe.”
Mr Hall’s family has lived in the area for more than 50 years and he called his parents “pioneers of Canning”.
He said if the community did vote in support of any development he would ensure it would not degrade the area.
“No one knows and loves that foreshore more than I do and people who are talking about saving the beach park are misunderstanding the situation,” he said.
“It’s under no threat while I live and breathe.
“I love the place, that’s why I’m a councillor and I’ve spent a great deal of time advocating for people in the area.”
