A dispute between Satterley Property Group and the state’s peak planning body is set to enter its fifth year with a hearing to be held in the later part of 2025.
A dispute between Satterley Property Group and the state’s peak planning body is set to enter its fifth year with a hearing to be held in the later part of 2025.
The Nigel Satterley-led company sought to overturn the Western Australian Planning Commission's refusal, delivered in 2020, of a structure plan which proposes housing on a 555-hectare lot in North Stoneville.
In its reasons for refusal, the WAPC said the developer had not adequately demonstrated plans to mitigate the threat of bushfire in the area.
The matter has been ongoing in the State Administrative Tribunal, heard by senior member Stephen Willey.
However, the matter will be referred to deputy SAT president judge Henry Jackson for a four-week hearing in September 2025.
Business News understands the matter needed to be heard by a SAT member of a higher position.
At a hearing today, Dr Willey told the tribunal that Judge Jackson wanted to get the matter over with as soon as possible.
"His Honour [Judge Jackson] is aware of the fact that this matter has been in the tribunal for four years and two months," he said.
Dr Willey ordered for additional applications or documents to be filed in January.
But lawyer for Satterley Property Group, Paul McQueen, said more time was needed after his client found out senior consultants engaged for the matter would be on extended leave.
"I resist an order of their [WAPC's] desire to lock in a date for the evidence [to be submitted] now," he told the tribunal.
Mr McQueen said his client needed more time to evaluate the state government's updated bushfire policy framework, which was released in September.
Satterley Property Group's proposed plan for the area included about 1,000 lots in the Perth Hills.
The proposal has been met with significant community backlash, particularly from the Save Perth Hills group which repeatedly voiced concerns of the developer's seemingly inadequate bushfire plan for the area.
At the SAT hearing today, Save Perth Hills spokesperson Debra Bishop said Satterley Property Group had enough time to consider the updated bushfire policy framework which had been two years in the making.
"Satterley had years to make an adequate bushfire plan," she said.
A directions hearing has been scheduled for January 31.
The SAT hearing also come after the federal government granted environmental approval for the North Stoneville application in September.
Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek wrote to WA Premier Roger Cook, announcing that the Stoneville Townsite Development has been approved under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.
Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence, Shire of Mundaring president Paige McNeil and deputy shire president Trish Cook have doubled down on the concerns expressed by community group Save Perth Hills over the bushfire risks and traffic impacts associated with the development.
The Anglican Diocese of Perth has owned the land, north of Mundaring, for the past 140 years.
