AGENDA - Shire of Roebourne

Ordinary Council Meeting – Agenda 19 October 2009
The current location of the sea container has been measured as 1.3 from the corner
truncation and 1.6 metres from the primary street. The approximate location of the sea
container deduced from its footprint on the proposed site plan is 1.5 metres from the corner
truncation and 2.6 metres from the primary street. It is unclear whether the applicant
intends to further adjust the position of the sea container or submit revised plans reflective
of the current location if approved.
Submission of Supplementary Information
The applicant has submitted the written consent of five neighbours four of whom being
owners and one being an occupier, photos of the rear yard, and a revised site plan to
further support the application. A map showing the location of the objector and supporters‘
properties, photos of the rear yard and revised site plan are attached as appendices to this
report.
Whilst the support of affected neighbours is important where a variation to policy and
accepted practice is being sought, the impact of development within the primary street
frontage is felt by all road users. The written objection tabled at the May OCM still stands.
The photos clearly demonstrate that the applicants have invested heavily in the rear yard
creating a high level of residential amenity. However, the photos reinforce a view
ascertained from the site plans as submitted and review of aerial photography that the rear
yard is of a size able to accommodate the development. Arguably should sea containers
be such an eyesore, there may well not be the level of resistance to place one in the rear
yard.
The extent of screening from exiting trees forms a substantive basis of the applicant‘s
justification for a Residential Design Codes of WA (R Codes) variation and to vary the
provisions of local planning policy DP7 ‗Residential Frontage‘ (the local planning policy).
The applicant has expressed the view that insufficient weight was given to the extent of
vegetation screening the sea container. Whilst an assessment of sight lines has not been
undertaken, it is noted that the trees forward of the sea container are located within the
road verge adjacent to the visual truncation and could well be compromising sight lines.
The sitting height of drivers for which clear sight lines are to be maintained lie between
1.05 metres and 2.4 metres. Should clear sight lines need to be re-established between
this range, the existing trees would offer no effective screen.
Implications of Approval in Proposed Location
The local planning policy discourages outbuildings, sea containers and ground-mounted
satellite dishes within the primary road frontage unless it can be clearly demonstrated that
no alternative location exists, and that the proposed development will not have an adverse
impact on the streetscape. Should Council determine that grassed or landscaped areas
are not deemed to be an alternative location for development, then this sentiment should
be reflected in local planning policy.
The performance criteria contained in the R Codes facilitates the development of
outbuildings that “do not detract from the streetscape or the visual amenity of residents or
neighbouring properties”. It is also noted that the acceptable development criteria that
provides the framework to ensure that performance criteria is met does not allow
outbuildings to be located within the primary street setback area. Should acceptable
development criteria not allow outbuildings within the primary street setback area, it is
difficult to mount an argument for what is essentially an industrial structure.
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