Bitter political stand-off over controversial Perth Park escalates after mayor’s scathing review of plans

The bitter political stand-off over the proposed $217.5 million Perth Park racetrack has continued, with tensions between the Town of Victoria Park and the State Government deepening after the council formally recommended the project be refused. At a special council meeting on Monday night, the council voted unanimously to oppose the development application for part of the motorsport precinct planned for Burswood Park. The development application applies to land north of Roger Mackay Drive, including sections of Victoria Park Drive and Camfield Drive, which is under the town’s control. The council’s decision further widens the gap between local and State government ahead of the final decision to be made by the WA Planning Commission. Victoria Park mayor Karen Vernon, who has never shied away from sharing her strong opinions of the project, delivered a scathing review of the development application. “It was the worst DA I’ve ever seen,” she said on her social media. “The applicant’s report was a mix of political spin, repetitive narrative from the promotional website, so-called road plans that made little sense, half the drawings not to the required scale and no designs of the entire racetrack to allow an understanding of how the two roads owned by the town fitted into the overall design.” Ms Vernon said the council’s refusal recommendation was due to insufficient material to meet requirements under the Metropolitan Region Scheme, as well as missing technical reports and incomplete design details. Public comment on the development plans is open until April 2, but the town has said it had been directed to provide their recommendation before submissions had closed. “I think the most egregious aspect of this DA is the State Government’s refusal to allow us to consider the public consultation before making our recommendation,” Ms Vernon said. She argued the town had been forced into making a decision without understanding community input. Ms Vernon also raised concerns about noise and environmental impacts, particularly given the project’s proximity to residential areas and the Swan River foreshore. “This development proposal is located near significant residential populations that are sensitive to noise, yet there is no acoustic noise modelling report,” she said. “The adjoining parkland and the Swan River foreshore are home to birds and native wildlife, yet there are no environmental reports to explain the likely impacts or how they would be managed.” Labor’s spokesperson for the project, Daniel Pastorelli said Ms Vernon’s comments were inaccurate and accused her of being politically motivated. “It’s not surprising but yet again we’re seeing this mayor engage in commentary that is inflammatory, grossly exaggerated and ignores clear facts about this project,” he said. “For example, the mayor claimed there was no noise modelling report, despite the fact it was submitted as part of the development application, in addition to the EPA application.” Mr Pastorelli said the mayor “can be opposed”, but her ongoing “position of protest” did nothing to serve the residents of Victoria Park, and claimed “many of whom support this project”. Mr Pastorelli also noted the town’s withdrawal from earlier planning discussions. “I’d also remind the mayor that the Town of Victoria Park was represented on four separate planning groups for Perth Park before they pulled out,” he said. “I have no doubt Victoria Park residents would prefer the town still have a seat at the table. “The early works underway at Perth Park are occurring on a section of the site under the control of the Burswood Park Board that has all the relevant approvals in place.” WAPC will make its final decision on the application after the consultation period closes.