Town of Cambridge Response to SDAU Decision on Ocean Village

Published on 31 March 2025

The Town of Cambridge is disappointed with the Western Australian Planning Commission’s (WAPC) decision on 20 March 2025, to approve the Ocean Village development in City Beach via the Part 17 Significant Development Application pathway.

The Town has prioritised the development of a number of planning frameworks to enact our Local Planning Strategy (LPS) and meet the State’s strategic planning objectives, including appropriate density targets. Council, at its September 2024 Ordinary Meeting, recommended the application be refused as it did not align with our LPS, the amenity of the surrounding neighbourhood, and our community’s aspirations for the area.

Mayor Gary Mack and Luke Gibson (Director Planning & Community Services) attended the WAPC Part 17 Significant Development meeting and made a deputation on behalf of the Town, highlighting concerns about design, height, and built form bulk and scale, and the impact on our surrounding community.

The Significant Development Application pathway, introduced during COVID-19 under Part 17 and now continued through Part 11B, provides the WAPC with extraordinary discretion. The Town urges local Members of Parliament to advocate for the removal of these powers, which currently allow major development decisions to bypass local governments, reducing the ability for our communities to have meaningful input and influence over decisions that affect our homes and neighbourhoods.

The Town remains committed to working with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to ensure LPS 2 and future development align with the expectations of our community and Council while achieving the State’s density targets and strategic planning objectives.