Some wheel progress on park homes

Plans to build a retirement village near Treendale are back on the track after the developers submitted new designs for the project.

Harvey Shire Council voted 12-1 to accept the new plans from T&R Homes WA for the Edenlife park-home-park development for over 55s.

The development at Lot 9001 Leisure Drive, Australind, will include 186 homes over 8.3ha and a clubhouse with heated indoor pool, gym, library, bowling green and cinema.

Progress on Edenlife was stalled earlier this year following a State Administrative Tribunal decision relating to a dispute in the City of Armadale.

In this case the tribunal affirmed the city’s decision to refuse a park-home park licence based on the wording of the Caravan and Camping Ground Act 1995.

The tribunal determined that a “park home” needed to be capable of being towed on a public road.

The legal definition of a park home means the structures must have a chassis, wheels and tie-down points.

After seeking legal advice, Harvey Shire Council voted in July to refuse the original proposal from T&R Homes WA, with the view of working with the developer to find a way to revive Edenlife.

T&R Homes WA submitted new plans to the council, with the tick of approval from legal advisers.

Shire of Harvey chief executive officer Annie Riordan said any new applications for this development which complied with the Act could be approved by the chief executive officer.

“This item arose from the council resolution to refuse two applications to assemble park homes that were determined at the meeting on June 25, because they did not comply with the requirements of the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act and Regulations,” she said.

“The same applicant has now provided a fresh application for a park home design that does not require an exercise of discretion to be determined by the council.”

Ms Riordan said the developers had demonstrated the project was able to comply with the Act.

“The proponent has now provided designs for specific park homes that comply with the requirements and the decision to proceed with this particular development is one for the proponent to make,” she said.