Tag Archives: Cottesloe

Coastal Planning Western Australia

Reading the draft State Coastal Planning Western Australia policy document it appears that the new policy for coastal planning in part seems to be based on some ‘convenient truths’ that support current government positions on coastal development.

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Limits on Building Heights

The first anomaly in the new draft policy document for coastal planning Western Australia, compared with the old document is the conditions covering “the maximum heights adjacent to coastal boundaries of 5-storey maximum. This limit to be less where community support for lower height is evident.’

This limit has disappeared from the new document, leaving the question of height completely open to interpretation.

Ambiguity Leads to Misinterpretation

The correct interpretation simply did not happen with Cottesloe Beach LPS3 proposed planning scheme. This omission to references to height limits appears to conveniently suit the current government’s stance.

Height Limits for Coastal Planning Western Australia

If credibility is to be achieved with this document height limits based on objective criteria must be clearly defined in scientific terms. The final writing of the Coastal Planning Western Australia policy document represents a unique chance to protect our coastal environments for generations and reflect great credit on the Barnett Government.

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Cottesloe Foreshore Plans For Development

Often the truth is missed in a good story. This is clearly the case with the media portrayal of the Cottesloe Foreshore Plans and issues surrounding the new proposed planning scheme and the rules guiding future development along Marine Parade. As a follow up to the recent public meeting at the Civic Centre Hall, regarding the beachfront, the Cottesloe foreshore plans and the ensuing media frenzy, I have decided once and for all put my opinion clearly for the public record where I stand on this issue.

As explained many times to the Town of Cottesloe, my employer on this issue, I am not here to have my opinion ‘bought’ to serve official opinions with which I do not necessarily agree. In being commissioned for the work for the Town of Cottesloe I have made my position very clear that my opinion is a professional one and but it cannot be twisted to suit any dogmatic standpoint in this important argument about future development along the foreshore and commercial strip along the beachfront.

2004 Solar Study Cottesloe Foreshore Plans

Image WSW Cover My presentations made since 2004 have really been consistent. The problem is that some of my principles have been respected when it has suited the political stance of many in the Council – others conveniently ignored and in some cases, simply corrupted. The same could be said of the pro-development government personnel who attended the Enquiry by Design, and who are in my opinion, if anything, more political and fundamentalist about developmental action.

When it came to planning strategies at the Enquiry by Design (‘EbD’) consultation process some 5 years later, Councillors and officers alike ignored reason, in regard to a review of the development zone and the principles for protecting a future beach alignment. Then to make matters worse, the State Government ignored their own advice regarding ocean level rises in submitting their own version of 3D envelopes for beachfront development.

At the public meeting on the 16^thMarch, 2011, along with private discussions with the Council I pointed out as clearly as I could that the ‘elephant in the room’ is ocean rises due to Climate Change. But it is a rather like the ‘Inconvenient Truth’ : people listen, are stunned, yet do not even try to join up the dots to deduce what this means for any town planning scheme. Even at the EbD this key issue was virtually ignored in the final design concepts and most importantly, not addressed in the draft scheme LPS3, when it clearly is the single most important influence on our coastline development and beach amenity for the rest of this century and beyond.

Apart from ocean rises there are going to be even more serious threats to the beachfront, our culture and the business world that must be seen in the context of opening the doors to big developers to take over the beach front built environment. After 2035 the global population is now predicted to diminish dramatically till the end of the century. There only 25 years left of ‘boom’ times for this planet as energy sources are greatly degraded and changing life as we currently know it dramatically.

Proper Decision Making Process

Why is it not being dealt with? Why is all the argument concentrated on height and view of the beach, when the current location of the commercial zone will be overlooking sea walls by the end of the century? It make one wonder how fervent minds can be deluded by their own locked-in fears and perceived solutions. For what duration are we planning and designing the future commercial zone and foreshore?

What has not been clearly published in the papers is that I am not actually ‘anti-development’ at all. My firm Ecotect-Architects, worked hard as a paid consultant at the Enquiry by Design (EbD) to ensure that maximum development could be achieved, while at the same time serving the public interest for now and well into the future.

The Enquiry by Design Process

The process was well conducted by Andrew Jackson of the Town of Cottesloe to be able to influence a change in direction for Cottesloe within the proposed LPS3. What the people of Cottesloe and the wider general public need to understand is that the EbD was a guideline to framing the LPS3 as a draft.

I believe a lot more work by independent consultants, acting under the Authorities’ inputs and guidance, could have delivered the best planning rules and guidelines for developers, before it became law. At the same time it would have served the community interest. It appears that misguided advice by some public servants convinced the government that they could do better to serve the ‘big development’ lobby.

As we now know their efforts have produced results which are primitive, unprofessional and offending to most of the community. They do not incorporate sustainability in any way.

Overshadowing the beach

This EbD delivered community consultation as well as representation by the key landowners/developers of the two main sites in question: the Ocean Beach Hotel and the Cottesloe Beach Hotel. Unfortunately it seems that the powerful developer lobby has convinced the politicians that somehow the EbD was “orchestrated by community groups with a twisted view of what is good for the community”. Many community groups with varying opinions and the land owners along with their commissioned consultants, were given ample time to present their viewpoints during the process.

For those who did not contribute or attend the Enquiry by Design, my presentation is downloadable from here, to show clearly what all the government people, consultants, councillors and general public as well as community interest groups offered to the process. For those who did attend, perhaps you may like to refresh your memory

Where from here now?

Future For Cottesloe Foreshore Plans and the Beachfront

I believe that we need a credible sponsor for a select group of consultants, managed by Ecotect-Architects, to devise a developed concept and acceptable plan, from which proper 3D envelopes will establish what can actually work and serve the public interest and local residents. It needs a tick of approval by all parties. Some compromise may be needed. For sure the scheme is not even close to having served due process or any chance whatsoever of gaining public support.

This needs to be sponsored by an appropriate independent party to design a stage-by-stage solution that will serve as a guide to finalizing the LPS3 and future amendments as well as provide the solid principles for any future scheme in the future so the beach facility will be available to our children and grandchildren and their offspring.

What say you?

I know I am prepared to put some spadework in to make sure this happens.

Refer to my strategy plan presented to council in order to counter the objectionable submission that amends the LPS3.

Please be aware that although my presentation was involved in the Enquiry by Design, we were ‘conveniently’ left out of the final process and final drafting of the LPS3. The subject of ocean rises never made it to the table and was therefore ignored, as it was by the main planning consultants during the process.

Reference Documents

Cottesloe Solar and Shade Analysis 2004

Predicted Sea Level Change in WA 2009/10

Cottesloe 2011 Planning Scheme Review

Garry Baverstock’s Letter To the Town of Cottesloe Mayor

Regional Government

The secret to solar and renewable, as well as general sustainable and clean forms of energy, to be successfully introduced in this 21^st century is the effectiveness of policies and legislation of regional governments. One of the immediate concerns with inaction at this level will be the horrific damage that will be caused from ocean level rises. These are already happening and accelerating.

Throughout the planet, Climate Change due to the excessive use of fossil fuels is increasingly causing problems for our coastline developments. The key to solving and adapting to unwanted changes in sea levels is effective Regional Government.

All around the planet sea levels will raise by varying amounts and the reasons for this is the forces of gravity from the moon, the sun and large planet like Jupiter and the bulging of oceans at the equator (mainly due to the gravitational effects of the moon). Of course the moon caused tidal variations will create odd spasmodic changes in sea levels, never experienced by mankind before in the period that human kind has lived in earth. It will wreak havoc on all costal developments starting from 2020 onwards.

There is a wake up call for all governments (particularly in the developed world) to start taking into account sea rises for the next 100 years.

This will mean that some development will have to be demolished and moved inland and buffer zones created for all new developments (it goes without saying that they should be as carbon ‘neutral’ or ‘minus’ as possible).

Here are some papers that used Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia as a case in point:

Cottesloe Solar and Shade Analysis 2004

Predicted Sea Level Change in WA 2009/10

Cottesloe 2011 Planning Scheme Review

Garry Baverstock’s Letter To the Town of Cottesloe Mayor

Green Cards to be Dealt at Cottesloe’s Old Bridge Centre

21 November 2009

Jacinta Goerke
Journalist

A NEW type of cards is soon to be played at the once well-patronised Rosendorf’s Bridge Centre located on Railway Street in Cottesloe.

As of early December the new ‘bridge’ will no longer be home to shuffling decks, calling spades and keeping score, but to the hustle and bustle of professionals working toward building a more sustainable future.

Swanbourne Railway Station near the new Swanbourne Business Centre

Centre owners Ms Julia Hayes and Mr Garry Baverstock said the new ‘bridge’ is to be renamed ‘The Swanbourne Business Centre’ where a serviced office Perth can be leased by business people committed to doing something positive about the environment.

“From the outset we wanted to turn the ‘old bridge’ into a centre of sustainable excellence where professionals working in green industries could come together to share ideas, network and use a common secretarial service while remaining independent,” said Ms Hayes.

“We’re aware new ideas and innovative ways of doing things often emerge when neighbouring executives share ideas.

“This means we’re keen to hear from people who specialise in areas such as environmental law, climate science, sustainable building practices, engineering, town planning, real estate development and other business activities such as ethical investment and financing and complementary trades and professionals,” she said.

Ms Hayes said the sustainability and green industry was rapidly growing and specialists were keen to connect and lease premises alongside like-minded professionals.

She said the new Swanbourne Business Centre in the Swanbourne Village was complementary to ‘all things green’ because it had been retrofitted to comply with quality green building principles to ensure energy efficiency and natural comfort.

“The office walls have double insulation, there is a well-appointed natural ventilation system and a low energy cooling system in place, ceiling fans are installed and low energy lighting complements natural light in each room,” she said.

“The office building also takes advantage of the northern orientation in which natural daylight is harnessed to light, heat and provide maximum comfort in each office.

“And the upstairs’ location has excellent views across to the village shops and the ocean in the distance,” she said.

Ms Hayes said tenants and people external to the centre would be able to access the secretarial support service for typing, photocopying and possibly use temporary office/work stations.

She said this business model of sharing secretarial services and office equipment in one central location worked well in Asia and among medical, allied health and legal specialists.

Mr Baverstock, a well known local eco architect, said there were savings to be made in sharing larger professional offices and identities.

“Daily social and professional contact is often lacking when people work from home and, with huge advances in the internet, it’s no longer necessary for businesses to employ full-time secretaries and lease expensive office equipment,” said Mr Baverstock.

“Paying a higher price for a smaller office and sharing facilities can be much cheaper than business as usual in one’s own office suite or complex.

Mr Baverstock said many people were now taking advantage of the recent slow down in activity to restructure and downscale the floor area of their offices.

“In fact, I think the people of Swanbourne are ready for an eco-oriented village and this is just one more step towards that sustainable vision,” he said.

Mr Baverstock said the Swanbourne Railway Station was across the road, the post office and other key shops and cafes were within a short walk.

Mr Baverstock and Ms Hayes said the new centre was once a vibrant bridge club and part of the heritage of the location.

“There is also a bridge in front of the building and the centre will provide a bridge of business opportunities for people ready to grow their businesses in a sustainable and efficient manner,” he said.

However, not all will be lost from the old bridge days said Mr Baverstock.

“I’m sure some of the ‘lingo’ will still be heard and used,” he said.

“For example, we’re looking for ‘partners’ who can play their cards right, keep score on the environment and regularly call trumps.

“But to call a spade a spade; please no ‘dummies’ (a term bridge players will understand); ‘just genuine people who want to contribute to the Cottesloe business scene and community,” said Mr Baverstock.

Image-
Name: Transperth Swanbourne Train Station
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Transperth_Swanbourne_Train_Station.jpg
Image released into the public domain

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