A $14 million neighbourhood centre, opposed by the Cancer Council for promoting fast food close to a school, has been approved by a development assessment panel.
Broad Vision Projects received approval for its Hammond Park neighbourhood centre plan, to be built on Gaebler Road, opposite Hammond Park Primary School.
The Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel spent nearly two hours considering the $14.5 million application, which has been a contentious topic in the community.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission data shows Broad Vision Projects is owned by a group of Perth businesspeople, including Cygnet West’s John Del Dosso.
Nearly 450 submissions were received during the public consultation period with 60 per cent of responses opposing the development.
Despite the opposition and the City of Cockburn’s recommendation for the development to be refused, panel members approved Broad Vision’s project by a margin of four votes to one.
The proposed development comprises a service station, three fast food outlets with drive-through, a medical centre, a car wash, and parking areas.
Cancer Council WA has called for planning laws to be amended, to restrict fast food outlets opening near a school.
In February, Cancer Council WA cancer prevention and research director Melissa Ledger said the community would be exposed to a high number of fast-food outlets close to homes and schools.
“The proposed fast-food outlets include a drive-through McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks, and a 7 Eleven which will be open 24 hours a day,” she said in a statement.
“In addition, in December 2023, an application was approved for a neighbourhood centre that includes two drive-through outlets just one kilometre away.”
DAP member and Cockburn councillor Tarun Dewan said there was an ethical question to be addressed as to whether the project would impact the health of upcoming generations.
At the meeting, Mr Dewan also said the development would add to the traffic and parking problems in the city.
However, other panel members agreed to tweak the conditions attached to warrant the approval.
