Residents oppose Clifton Park townhouses

Plans for residential development next to a nature reserve have surprised Clifton Park residents who live near the riverside park.

The residents presented a petition against it with more than 180 signatures to the Harvey Shire Council on Tuesday.

The owners of the land on Lucy Victoria Avenue, have submitted a detailed plan for the land, which is about 6700sq m and includes wetlands.

They plan to build 14 townhouses and retain a small area of vegetation.

The State Government bought 15ha of land to be conserved next to the site in 1992 and in 1994 Dewsbury Pty Ltd bought the land now up for development.

The proposal includes a 3.45m retaining wall and land fill to make the wetlands viable to build on.

Dennis Courtney was the inaugural chairman on the committee formed to manage the reserve. He said there were several issues that concerned residents.

"There are a number of concerns, including the visual aspect, traffic for the area and the impact this development will have on the wetland," he said.

"The wetland is already under stress and it's a resting place for migratory birds.

"This is just a toe in the water for the company who also owns Point Duoro across the road and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out they'll develop over there too."

Residents also fought for the land when the owners requested a rezoning in 2010 to pave the way for higher density development.

The council rejected the application to change the rezoning, but it was later approved by the WA Planning Commission.

Harvey shire president Tania Jackson said because of the rezoning, the only way to stop development was to purchase the land.

Dewsbury Pty Ltd director Peter Ng said this was an option.

"The land is not currently on the market, however if an attractive offer was made it would be considered," he said.

Mr Ng said he had not seen the petition from Clifton Park residents and did not want to comment on the public concern.