A major commercial hub has been approved for the corner of Ranford and Warton Roads in Southern River, despite ongoing concerns about traffic volumes and a towering pylon sign that initially breached City policy.
The development at 606 Warton Road will include showrooms, fast food outlets, a cafe, shops and a service station with convenience store. It was approved by the City of Gosnells at its July 22 council meeting.
The proposal had previously been deferred to allow the developer to consider feedback from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH). However, DPLH has now confirmed it has not received an updated Traffic Impact Statement or Road Safety Audit for review.
While council supported the revised access arrangements, which include new slip lanes and turning pockets, DPLH clarified that it is not responsible for funding or managing upgrades to the busy Ranford and Warton Road intersection.
“The City of Gosnells is responsible for upgrades to the intersection including the sourcing of funds for any works,” a DPLH spokesperson said.
When asked whether the new access design would adequately manage the expected traffic, the department said that decision rests solely with the City.
In a statement, City of Gosnells Chief Executive Officer Ian Cowie said the site’s size, separation from housing and proximity to a major intersection were factors in staff initially supporting a 14-metre-high pylon sign, despite it exceeding the City’s signage policy.
Council later voted to amend the plan and reduce the sign height to eight metres to protect the visual amenity of nearby residents.
As part of the development conditions, the landowner must also provide detailed landscape plans, which were not included in the original site plan, and decide whether to install public art onsite or pay a contribution towards public art elsewhere in the City. The landowner has not yet indicated which option they will pursue.
Although no upgrades are currently scheduled, the City confirmed that future works to expand Ranford Road and the Ranford-Warton intersection are likely to occur in response to growing traffic demands.
The City said those future upgrades would help increase the road’s capacity but did not provide a timeline.
The development includes 284 car bays, drive-through access, landscaped areas and revised access points to accommodate vehicles, including fuel trucks. It was approved unanimously by councillors, with a range of conditions including reciprocal access, lighting and an updated bushfire management plan.
