Lot 62 is a 33ha site that stretches along a 1km section of the Canning River in Roleystone.
This section of the river flows all year round and supports 4 species of native fish, large
populations of marron and freshwater mussels, and is prime habitat for native water rats.
The adjacent river valley is very steep with gradients of up to 1 in 3, and over 80% of the
lot is covered in dense vegetation.

Critically, this stretch of river has been spared from the effects of large development that
have silted up all the deep pools and channels immediately downstream from Lot62. This is land
that has historically been set aside and remains "un-subdividable" due to its highly sensitive
and highly visible location. The current amendment would allow for the redevelopment of a large
180 bed multi-story holiday resort complex, and still retain the "un-subdividable" rural zoning.

Short and long term pollution of the river
The steep site and deep clays that are present on the site means that runoff will be extremely
difficult to control and the development of this sensitive site will result in sedimentation of
the river. The highly impermeable clays only allow for minimal filtration and the large runoff
into the river will become contaminated with herbicides and pesticides. Contamination of runoff
into the river is currently not effectively monitored or regulated by any organization and is a
major threat to the health of the river.

Unstable site
The small area of Lot62 that has been cleared shows clear evidence of recent landslips and
landslides which have been observed occurring on the site during heavy rainfall. This is the
planned site of the resort. This area has a hight subsoil water flows which have caused subsoil
erosion and cavities, and in dozens of locations these cavities have collapsed forming a
pockmarked landscape.

Department of Environment advice
The Department of Environment's advice to the city is that is does not support and development
within 30m of minor watercourses, three of which cut the area of the proposed resort. Compliance
with this and local government policy not to develop within 50m of permanent waterway (i.e. the
Canning River) would literally mean that there is no place for a medium0high density resort
development.

Sewerage disposal into the river
There is no mains sewerage system and the small site and highly unfavourable geology severely limits
the disposal of high volumes of effluent. The proposed septic system involves pumping the treated
effluent into the river. The proposed system has never been approved in WA, is high maintenance,
complex, and preliminary advice from the Health Department is that the rated output "Class A re-use"
is not high enough to be disposed of in the rive due to the high nutrient levels. There is no plan
to cope with the effects of a spill and the responsibility of maintaining the complex and expensive
system should the owner fail to do so will fall on the local government.

Infrastructure limitations and loss if Amenity
The local infrastructure in the valley, which is limited by valley geography, is currently under
pressure and is unable to cope with the projected increase in traffic. High density development of
the highly visual location will forever damage the valley amenity. It runs counter to the recently
approved Town Planning Scheme and many of the Cities planning policies which contain the cities
vision for land use.

So why rezone?
The applicant owns undeveloped sites that have been rezoned for holiday accommodation adjacent to
the Lot62. Another site is simply not needed and there is no benefit to the community or city in
this rezoning or development proposal. The benefits to the applicant however are obvious; rezoning
will immediately increase the value of the property.

Paul Mutton Upper Canning Valley Progress Association