The Liberal candidacy race in Cottesloe appears to be ramping up, with David Honey using social media to campaign against development reform previously supported by rival Sandra Brewer.
The candidacy race in the Liberal Party WA’s Cottesloe electorate appears to be ramping up, with David Honey using social media to campaign against development reform previously supported by rival Sandra Brewer.
A LinkedIn post made by Dr Honey yesterday using ‘Honey for Cottesloe’ branding on photoshopped imagery of the suburb's foreshore, targeted “the Labor government and its allies” for planning law reforms that reduce the ability for local councillors to influence development approvals.
“We must maintain the natural beauty and character of Cottesloe,” the post said.
“Others may look at our community and see nothing but opportunities to make an extra buck by erecting high-rise towers of glass and steel on our beachfront and next to our suburban homes.
“I reject this view. Cottesloe is a community first and foremost.”
It follows two posts along similar lines in December, including one that accused WA Labor of wanting to turn Cottesloe “into a high-rise concrete jungle”.
David Honey says he will continue his criticism of changes to planning laws. Photo: David Honey/LinkedIn
While directed at Labor and consistent with Dr Honey's stance on reform, the latest post has been perceived by some in the comments to be a dig by the former party leader at Ms Brewer, who has temporarily stepped aside from her position as executive director of the Property Council’s WA branch to challenge for Liberal preselection in Cottesloe.
Cottesloe preselection nominations close in a matter of weeks, and Ms Brewer’s history of advocacy for development reform through her role at Property Council is in direct contrast with Dr Honey's position.
Prior to the announcement of her plan to run for preselection in Cottesloe, Ms Brewer and other property industry figures appeared alongside Planning Minister John Carey in October as he announced the second tranche of Labor’s planning reforms at the steps of parliament.
Ms Brewer was also supportive of the reform in posts made to her social media accounts before announcing her preselection run.
She was unable to comment when contacted by Business News, citing party preselection rules.
Asked whether the post was related to the campaign for preselection, Dr Honey told Business News it was a continuation of his ongoing advocacy for local input in planning decisions.
“I am extremely disturbed by the most recent changes to the planning laws, which effectively remove locally elected councillors from any planning approvals in their communities,” he said.
Dr Honey vowed to continue to campaign on the matter.
“I have been a vocal critic of the government's planning law changes since the COVID amendments made in 2020,” he said.
“I have consistently made social media and other comments on Labor's changes since that time and will continue to do so.”
Responses to Dr Honey’s latest post from those in industries favoured by the planning reform include accusations of “scaremongering” and criticism of the post’s use of generic high-rise images, rather than renders of those planned for the area.
At least one response tagged Ms Brewer, who has not interacted with the post or its responses.
Development is likely to be a factor in the Liberal contest for the beachside electorate, where the local government is generally vocally opposed to high-rise.
In August, the Western Australian Planning Commission approved a plan by architecture firm Baltinas to build a seven-storey development on Marine Parade despite objection from the Town of Cottesloe.
Former Town of Cottesloe councillor Kirsty Barrett is also weighing up a tilt at Liberal preselection in the seat, as is entertainment lawyer Richard Evans.
Dr Honey was elected to the Cottesloe seat at the 2017 byelection to replace the retiring former premier Colin Barnett, who had held the electorate since 1990.
The incumbant defeated Labor candidate Gemma West at the 2021 election, with 57.4 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.
Cottesloe preselection nominations close on January 17, with candidates to be chosen to contest the 2025 state election in 15 months' time.
