Greens halt Whiteman Park sell off

Media Release, 27 June 2007

The Legislative Council’s decision to stop plans to build houses on Whiteman Park is a victory for the environment, said Greens WA MLC, Giz Watson.

The Greens successfully led a disallowance motion to prevent rezoning of the southern part of Whiteman Park, located in the Swan Valley. ∗

“We have drawn a line in the sand,” Ms Watson said. “It’s very important that the Government be prevented from selling off our parks and reserves for housing.

“The decision is a victory for the local community and a much needed win for the environment.

Members of the local community were instrumental in sourcing material that showed the originals owners’ intention when they sold the land to the government.

“There was a mutual understanding that the land they were selling was to be owned and used by the community in perpetuity”, Ms Watson said.

“I would also like to thank the Liberal and National Parties for their support for the motion,” Ms Watson said.

∗The second of the five proposals of the Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment 1027/33 was “to transfer 249 hectares of park and recreation reservation from the southern portion of Whiteman Park, referred to as the Marshall Road precinct, and 82 hectares of adjoining rural zoned land to the urban zone.”