City of Wanneroo to formally oppose $35m Woodvale shopping complex proposal
Concerns over traffic congestion and environmental impacts have prompted the City of Wanneroo to oppose a proposed $35m shopping complex in Woodvale.
The Woodvale Corner proposed at the corner of Wanneroo Road and Woodvale Drive was released for public comment in March.
Plans for the 34,952sqm site include an Aldi supermarket, two drive-through fast-food outlets, a service station, a gym, a childcare centre, a cafe/restaurant, and a self-storage facility.
Locals immediately took issue with it, launching a Facebook page called 'Stop Traffic Chaos On Woodvale Drive' which quickly gained more than 500 followers and led to a packed community forum.
During question time at last week's council meeting, city director of planning and sustainability Mark Dickson clarified the city's position on the development.
'I would like to make it very clear that the city will be making a submission on this proposal strongly objecting to the development proposed,' he said.
'We don't support an activity centre in this location.'
Mr Dickson said the city believed the proposed development, as it stands, would impact the viability of other centres and failed to meet State planning policies.
'There are significant traffic impacts on Woodvale Drive and Wanneroo Road intersection, and the network isn't designed to cater for the quantum of traffic that's already using the road, and this will only exacerbate the traffic issues,' he said.
'The environmental information that's been submitted with the proposal is weak in our view, and needs further information so that we can satisfy ourselves that there won't be any significant environmental concerns.'
The site is on the border of the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo and there has been consultation between them, particularly regarding shared assets such as Woodvale Drive and Yellagonga Regional Park.
'For residents within the City of Joondalup, we have also been liaising with our colleagues, including the director of planning at the City of Joondalup, and we share the same concerns,' Mr Dickson said.
'I also understand that they will be making an objection when the matter is considered by the WA Planning Commission.'
City of Joondalup CEO Mark Pearson confirmed to PerthNow the city's intent to make a submission to the WA Planning Commission but with a focus on resolving challenges rather than opposing the development.
'The city's submission will focus on assessing the impact of the development rather than proposing alternative uses for the site,' he said.
'This submission will consider the potential impacts of the Woodvale Corner development on local traffic, the environment, and its alignment with principles of orderly and proper planning.'
As the land is zoned for urban development under the city's district planning scheme, a project on the site is inevitable, but Wanneroo mayor Linda Aitken said the city's submission to the WAPC would argue the area is better suited for housing rather than a shopping centre.
'This submission will outline the city's objection to the proposed development and that a low-density residential development would be more appropriate for this location,' she said.
'This would help protect existing vegetation and reduce traffic impacts on nearby roads.'
In the development application, the applicants said 'the city's officers have not raised any fundamental concerns with the proposal and the land use more broadly, instead have provided beneficial and constructive advice and feedback along the way'.
Mr Dickson said at last week's council meeting the claims made did not fully represent the city's official stance on the proposed development.
'At no point in time, notwithstanding the planning report that accompanied the development proposal, has the City of Wanneroo supported commercial development on this site,' he said.
'The city has raised concerns with regard to the proposed commercial development and has at no point supported commercial development on that site.'
The development application prepared by Urbanista Town Planning for SPG Capital Fund 10 Pty Ltd, a private equity firm that purchased most of the land in 2023, expects the proposal to generate 7650 vehicle trips per day, increasing traffic on Woodvale Drive to 13,380 vehicle trips daily.
'If the proposed commercial development goes ahead in its current form, significant upgrades to Woodvale Drive would be needed to ensure the road remains safe and functional,' Ms Aitken said.
According to the development application, Main Roads WA has given approval for the modification of the Wanneroo Road and Woodvale Drive intersection, following detailed discussions.
Given that it is classed as a significant development, the fate of the $35 million proposal will be decided by the State Development Assessment Unit later this year.
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