Melville council votes no to a funding plan to build much-wanted park amongst Canning Bridge high-rise

Local News, PerthNow - Melville

The push to create prized parkland in the Canning Bridge district has again stalled, with a split City of Melville council this week voting down a concept design for the Mt Pleasant super block, along with its $1.7 million price tag.

It means the project to convert a riverfront block that runs between The Esplanade and Kishorn Road into parkland remains in limbo, with no funding allocated either this year or into the future.

Hundreds of petitioners and a packed public gallery for Tuesday’s council meeting were not enough to sway council to support its own officers’ recommendation to get the ball rolling.

PerthNow Digital Edition.Your local paper, whenever you want it.Read now

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

It is the latest development in a protracted fight over the council-owned space, which has at times been earmarked for both lucrative development and highly desired green space for the growing precinct to enjoy.

In recent times it has been used as a carpark.

The council voted 12 months ago for the block’s future to be public open space containing new trees, a children’s playground and seating.

City staff then put the idea out for public consultation and produced a concept design and costings required to create and maintain the park, which the council was first asked to support in February.

Staff had asked for $100,000 to be allocated immediately and $1.6m from next year’s budget, money that some councillors and senior staff claim could be clawed back in a matter of years through a rates uplift from the park improving the area.

“Being close to a park increases property values, increases gross rental value and increases rates payable,” Cr Clive Ross said, suggesting that financial parity could occur within just four years.

But more elected members disagreed than agreed with his stance and a 5-6 vote defeated the recommendation that would have kick-started the long-held park dream into reality.

“We need much more bang for our buck from this site”, Cr Scott Green said, reiterating that the council previously favoured leasing the prime land and spending the revenue on other vital projects.

The non-funding decision came after the council in February had voted to defer any further spending decisions until this month.

OTHER NEWS

32 minutes ago

Terrified calf called Beau Lucy who was rammed by police squad car after escaping is recovering but could 'die from shock', farmer's partner reveals - amid fury at 'heavy-handed' cops

32 minutes ago

Video: Terrified calf called Beau Lucy who was rammed by police squad car after escaping is recovering but could 'die from shock', farmer's partner reveals - amid fury at 'heavy-handed' cops

32 minutes ago

Viral video of sorority girls 'strolling' to X-rated rap sparks fury over 'cultural appropriation'

33 minutes ago

Brands and politics have become melded in the public mind: Edelman

34 minutes ago

Scoring from unlikely sources helps the Oilers stay alive in the Stanley Cup Final

34 minutes ago

Soccer-Cuddles and kicked backsides needed to lift Scots, says Clarke

34 minutes ago

11 Celebs Who Turned Down White House Invites (And Why)

34 minutes ago

Gardener warned about 'adorable' plant that could take over backyard: 'Don't be fooled or tempted by its beauty'

34 minutes ago

Deadly Toll in Greece as Heat Waves Sweep the Country

37 minutes ago

Guy Haymes death: Why Jayson Brett Dal Molin didn't face court after being charged with murder of much-loved surfer on Sydney's northern beaches

37 minutes ago

RPG Devs Can't Add Dating System Because Team Lacks 'Real Life Experience'

38 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu turns down Olympics wild card – but Andy Murray in Team GB squad

38 minutes ago

Mathematician Reveals 'Equals' Has More Than One Meaning in Math

38 minutes ago

Candidates race into France's snap legislative poll but one convicted for spousal assault withdraws

38 minutes ago

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says use of Russian assets from Ukraine is not 'theft' despite Putin's claims

39 minutes ago

Maine police kill armed man after a night of gunfire and burned homes

39 minutes ago

How Apple, Microsoft and 3 other tech giants can make money with AI geared to consumers

39 minutes ago

Guy Haymes death: Why Jayson Brett Dal Molin didn't face court after being charged with murder of much-loved surfer on Sydney's northern beaches

42 minutes ago

‘We Thank PM Modi’: Sharad Pawar’s Remark With Allies Stings BJP

42 minutes ago

Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren to Star in ‘Last Five Years’ on Broadway

44 minutes ago

Celtics Fans Send Desperate Plea to Jayson Tatum Ahead of NBA Finals Game 5

44 minutes ago

Inside Finland’s first NATO mission with UK forces in show of strength to Putin

44 minutes ago

Las Vegas Raiders post-minicamp starting offense projection: Who's QB?

44 minutes ago

Six MAD Shorts heading to the Toronto Arab Film Festival

44 minutes ago

Kate Middleton's 'perfect' Father's Day photo of Prince William and their children sends royal fans into a frenzy as they say they're left in tears over sweet 'we love you, Papa!' message

44 minutes ago

Dozens of firefighters tackle raging inferno inside flat in London tower block - as four people are rushed to hospital

44 minutes ago

Biden slams the Supreme Court and rips into Trump at Jimmy Kimmel-hosted celebrity fundraiser attended by Obama, George Clooney and Julia Roberts

44 minutes ago

Eat more protein and less carbs if you want to lose weight and feel less hungry, new study suggests

47 minutes ago

'Dan Hurley just used and abused the Los Angeles Lakers.' — Skip on Hurley deciding to stay at UConn

48 minutes ago

Hamburg police shoot man with axe and ‘Molotov cocktail’ ahead of Euro 2024 game

49 minutes ago

Houston native making Hollywood dreams come true, and wants to bring some of it back to Space City

49 minutes ago

Scorching heat, rising humidity in Chicago's forecast Sunday, along with threat of storms

50 minutes ago

CBIC mounting multi-modal awareness against frauds in name of Customs

50 minutes ago

He's played 70 games for Ten Hag: Man Utd eye 42m Branthwaite rival

50 minutes ago

WNBA All-Star Fires Stern Message To Players Who Want Caitlin Clark To Fail

50 minutes ago

Jack Draper WINS his first ATP Tour title as new Brit No 1 comes from a set down to beat Matteo Berrettini in the Stuttgart Open final

50 minutes ago

Woman who spent 43 years in prison has conviction overturned as case takes shocking twist

50 minutes ago

Serbia vs England - Euro 2024: Live score, team news and updates as the Three Lions quest to 'Bring Football Home' gets underway against a Serbian team led by Mitrovic and Dusan Tadic

55 minutes ago

Data analyst reveals the state where gas prices are expected to increase to $10 per gallon

55 minutes ago

Video: Three Lions fans' booze-up kicks off ahead of England's Euros clash with Serbia TODAY - with new video showing supporters singing chorus of '10 German Bombers' in defiance of FA and police