By Emma Young
A fight is looming over a residential tower development planned for Joondalup golf course, with neighbouring residents mounting a coordinated attack and the local council divided.
Joondalup Resort plans to build three buildings of 14, 12 and six storeys on the golf course, integrated with the existing hotel.
Joondalup Resort’s plan is for the area’s “desired future character”. But residents nearby are more worried about the area’s current character. Credit: Artist's impression
The buildings would be separated from the nearest dwelling by 165 metres, but a marked departure from the existing character of the low-density suburb dominated by single and double-storey homes.
Action group Connolly SOS, formed in response to the plans, has letterboxed 1700 homes and gathered 539 objections to the proposal lodged with the City of Joondalup (which also received 77 in favour) and set up a website and mailing list supporting their campaign.
A May 27 Council meeting, where the City will consider endorsing the proposal to the WA Planning Commission, promises to be lively after the policy committee last month voted against the development – four councillors against with three, including Mayor Albert Jacob, for it.
The public made deputations at a Council briefing on Tuesday night.
Connolly SOS chairman David Smith said anyone living on level two upwards in the proposed development would be looking directly into neighbours’ backyards despite the separation.
He said council was obliged to take local character and amenity into account in planning decisions and this impacted both.
“When they talk about high density and apartment living it makes reference to areas in the CBD with proximity to trains and buses and buildings,” he said.
“You have to walk a considerable distance to get to the train station.
“And this building will not be a cheap building … people wanting to downsize will have to fork out millions.”
Joondalup Resort’s tree canopy plan. Credit: Christou
Residents are also concerned about tree canopy, though the site is mostly already cleared.
Joondalup Resort says it will remove “only a few” trees whose potential habitat significance would be assessed during any future development approval process.
Councillor Daniel Kingston voted against the plan at the policy meeting.
He told WAtoday the development would add nearly 200 dwellings to a suburb with just 1400.
He said Connolly was a bowl shape with the golf course in the centre and houses built with backyards facing the course, and that the development would have “that imposing aspect and that surveillance” over neighbouring house, but not in the same way an immediately adjacent building would.
He said WAPC guidance was for 10 per cent of a suburb to be public open space, but Connolly had only 4 per cent with the golf course closed to public use.
“Where will these new residents recreate?” he said.
“I don’t think it’s an appropriate development in that location.”
Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said on Tuesday ahead of the council briefing that it was the job of the Council right now to listen and take on everyone’s views.
“It’s not the time to take a hard and fast position,” he said.
“It would be inappropriate to provide any comment prior to Council making a decision.”
He said a five-storey plan was recently approved in Connolly and such dwelling types might better suit downsizers.
“Many people are looking for townhouses or grouped dwellings, they still want to have similar amenities, they want a small garden … many people over 60 will say this isn’t what they are looking for,” he said.
“And it probably won’t be in a price range for younger people either, so you have to wonder who is the core market here?”
City planners recommended council endorse the plan as “appropriate” after a 2021 local planning scheme amendment paved the way for higher density.
They said while it differed from the area now, it was appropriate for “desired future scale and character” and several factors softened its impact including the split and tiered architectural form, the site being geographically lower than its surrounds, and the surrounding mature trees.
A spokesman said Joondalup Resort was committed to open and transparent community engagement.
He said the 165-metre separation distance, which far exceeded the R-codes’ recommended minimum of 12 metres’ separation between developments over nine storeys, combined with the existing perimeter tree canopy, provided extensive screening and minimises any potential overlooking issues.
“Regarding concerns about the area’s suitability for higher-density development, it is important to evaluate broader urban planning considerations, including evolving infrastructure, transport options and community needs,” he said.
“While public transport accessibility and local amenities are factors in determining appropriate density, developments are assessed within a comprehensive planning framework that considers long-term sustainability and urban growth.
“Joondalup Resort remains committed to delivering a well-considered and sensitive development.”
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