Part of Harmony Fields in Maddington could be opened up for future housing under a rezoning proposal backed by the City of Gosnells.
Council voted unanimously at its July 28 meeting to begin the process of rezoning 11.53 hectares of City-owned land at Ballard Place from Public Open Space to Urban Development.
If approved, 13.61 hectares of Harmony Fields would remain as public open space.
The land proposed for rezoning is currently undeveloped and unirrigated.
City of Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said the number of homes that could eventually be built on the site was not yet known.
“The proposed rezoning to Urban Development does not include a density coding, so the number of future lots is not yet known,” he said.
If the amendment is later adopted by Council and approved by the Minister for Planning, a Local Structure Plan would be prepared to determine future density, lot numbers and development of the site.
Mr Cowie said the rezoning process would generally take between 12 and 18 months, with community consultation on the rezoning and a draft master plan likely later this year.
Residents would also have another opportunity to comment when a future Local Structure Plan is prepared.
Council also agreed to prepare a master plan covering the whole of Harmony Fields, including the land proposed for housing and the remaining public open space.
The move followed an amendment from Cr Serena Williamson, who said the wider area was used for formal sport, walking, casual recreation, exercise and general play.
The City said the master plan would consider the future of the entire Harmony Fields site rather than focusing only on housing.
The City has not yet identified any significant environmental values, mature trees or habitats that would need to be protected, with that work to occur through the master plan and Local Structure Plan processes.
According to the City, relevant traffic, drainage, servicing and other technical investigations would be undertaken if the rezoning is ultimately approved, to inform the Local Structure Plan.
The City has previously said the land has not been developed for active recreation because there is no viable water source available for irrigation.
Mr Cowie said groundwater remained limited in the eastern part of the City and State groundwater allocations also restricted the City’s ability to irrigate additional parks.
“The City is seeking to balance the need for public open space with the demand for well-located housing,” he said.
“Any reduction in public open space at this site would be offset by new public open space delivered through other developments in Maddington.”
The City’s Public Open Space Strategy states Maddington currently has about 10.7 percent public open space, and the level would remain above 10 percent if the rezoning goes ahead.
According to the council report, the City’s infill dwelling target is 12,800 homes, with Maddington identified as one of six suburbs to accommodate population growth.
No decision has been made on whether the city would eventually develop or sell the land if the rezoning is approved.
