Neds digs in on Norn Bidi project
Congratulations to the City of Nedlands councillors who at the March council meeting supported a motion to continue the Norn Bidi Trail construction project in Allen Park Swanbourne, despite urgings from the children’s hospice developer to shelve the project for the next 2½ years.
This project, on A-class reserve between the hospice site and the WA Bridge Club, is well advanced.
The trail is due to be completed by the middle of this year, marking the completion of key elements of the Allen Park master plan.
Instead of shelving the project, the council has instructed City staff to communicate collaboratively with the hospice developer and request that they amend an element of their construction access plan so as not to impede the trail project.
This demonstrates that the City of Nedlands is willing to work collegially with developers to achieve great outcomes for everyone.
However, a word of warning: Is it too early to celebrate the completion of the Whadjuk Trail?
Experience to date with the hospice project has indicated that at every stage of the process it has been rubber-stamped by our developer-friendly state government.
The powers of local government regarding planning have been reduced and A-class reserve land has been reclassified to C-class and fire warnings ignored.
Currently there is the ongoing farce of the department of planning, land and heritage (DPLH) going through the motions of considering submissions on the Metropolitan Planning Scheme amendment necessary for the hospice project to proceed.
DPLH describes it as a “technicality”, so of course the amendment will be adopted.
Denzil McCotter Walba Way, Swanbourne
Third time may be the charm for the Norn Bidi Trail in Allen Park, Swanbourne, after councillors last week “reaffirmed” their desire for the path to go ahead.
Hopes are high that work will start within weeks and that the trail will be finished by June.
Nedlands councillors have been trying for several years to build the wheelchair-friendly path which will link Allen Park bushland to the beach.
But plans have so far been stymied by the proximity to the proposed children’s hospice, SandCastles Boodja Mia.
The hospice project managers said the Norn Bidi would impact construction of the hospice and asked for it to be delayed until after the hospice was built.
They also asked for part of the A-Class reserve to be used as a ring-road turnaround for heavy trucks, but councillors were against this.
Construction parking and access will take over about half of the WA Bridge Club carpark, and the informal parking area on an unpaved lot on Odern Crescent.
Parts of the carpark will be reclassified from Parks and Recreation reserve to Public Purposes – Special Uses, to facilitate the changes.