City delays Middleton Beach decision

The City of Albany council has failed to make a decision on the controversial Middleton Beach development, leaving the prominent site in limbo once again.

Councillors voted on Tuesday night to postpone a decision on a scheme amendment and structure plan for the area which includes the former Esplanade Hotel site, which has sat vacant since the most recent hotel was demolished in 2007.

Cr Greg Stocks moved a motion to postpone the decision for further community consultation.

This came after residents raised further concerns about the maximum height of 12 storeys that would be permitted under the plan as well as concerns over limited parking space and destruction of the area’s character.

The plan before council would allow for a potential hotel developer to propose a five to 12-storey building.

Development Services executive director Dale Putland warned the council against postponing the decision as it could take “matters out of our hands” and into that of the WA Planning Commission.

Mr Putland said the City had already exceed the required community consultation period and would need valid reasoning for the decision.

Chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the community consultation would not be available to the entire public.

“The decision of council to lay the item on the table will allow the City to undertake additional advertising of the Middleton Beach Development Plan to increase community awareness and extend the opportunity to anyone who missed the chance to make a submission to have their say,” he said.

“The City will not be accepting additional submissions from anyone who has already made a submission.

“New public submissions on the proposal will be accepted until 5pm on Monday, June 13.”

Middleton Beach Group Jane Mouritz said she was very impressed with the council’s decision to postpone the development but said the consultation needs to be an open discussion.

“(It) doesn’t need to be based on just consultations it need to based on round table discussions,” she said.

“(The proposal) needed further thought and consultation and further consideration.

“We don’t want to be like every other coastal city but we can learn from they have done.

“What we are after is a Middleton Beach that is unique, that is special, that is iconic and still retains the natural beauty and ambience we have now.”