Bid to end low density housing

Residents of older Perth suburbs have emerged victorious from a stoush with the State Government over a proposal to can 100-year-old covenants that protect the low-density character of their neighbourhoods.

The City of Stirling has welcomed Planning Minister John Day's decision not to change the covenants for Mt Lawley, Menora and Coolbinia, which permit only one dwelling on each block.

Council director of planning and development Ross Povey said the outcome was good because it maintained the status quo and created certainty.

"It is good for the area because it gives reassurance to landowners and residents, who see the covenants as preserving the quality of their suburbs," Mr Povey said.

"The land was developed a long time ago so the area is characterised by larger lots and old-style housing, which can now be maintained."

The council said it was ordered last year by Mr Day to re-advertise District Planning Scheme 3 with the removal of an exclusion zone that covered the three suburbs.

"We were surprised we had to re-advertise the plan with the new covenants considering we had already opened it to the public for submissions once," Mr Povey said.

The affected residents responded to the draft scheme first with irate phone calls, petitions, a Save the Covenants Action Group and finally with threats of legal action.

As far as they are concerned, the issue has probably been put to rest for at least a decade.

The revised planning scheme is expected to come into effect in August, replacing the previous scheme gazetted in 1985.