Published on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 11:59:51 AM

The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) has upheld the refusal of Structure Plan 34 – North Stoneville, finding that the proposal could not be “saved” through modifications. The Tribunal’s decision centred on community safety, associated with unresolved bushfire and evacuation risks, as well as significant concerns about traffic impacts and the reliability of the supporting technical evidence.

In its decision, the Tribunal found the Structure Plan did not demonstrate that bushfire risk could be managed to an acceptable level and was not satisfied that the evacuation modelling reliably demonstrated residents could evacuate safely, or that the traffic assessment showed the surrounding road network could operate acceptably.

The proposed urban development covered 535 hectares at Lot 48 Stoneville Road, Stoneville. It proposed 1,001 lots for approximately 2,800 people and has been the subject of significant community opposition and a complex planning process over many years.

Satterley Property Group submitted a proposed replacement for Structure Plan 34 in 2018. The Western Australian Planning Commission refused the proposal in July 2020, and Satterley applied to SAT for a review of that decision the following month. Revised versions were considered during the review process, including after the WAPC reconsidered and again refused the proposal in December 2023. The Shire supported refusal of the Structure Plan in the SAT proceedings.

Shire President Paige McNeil said Council’s position had been guided by the community’s long-held concerns about bushfire risk, evacuation capacity and the potential loss of habitat for endangered black cockatoos through environmental clearing.

“On behalf of Council, I thank our community for its steadfast commitment to raising and advocating its concerns. Many of those concerns are reflected in the Tribunal’s decision.”

“Community safety remains central to Council’s position, particularly in relation to bushfire risk, evacuation and the capacity of the surrounding road network during an emergency,” President McNeil said. “Council is also committed to protecting and enhancing the unique biodiversity, extensive tree canopy and natural character of the Perth Hills for future generations.”

In 2020, Mundaring Council resolved to support rezoning the land from Urban to Rural Residential, reflecting Council’s view that a lower-density planning outcome may be more appropriate for the site.

Any future proposal would need to address bushfire evacuation, protection of environmental values, traffic impacts, infrastructure capacity and the local character of the area.

The Shire will continue to consider future planning proposals in line with State Planning Policy, community safety, environmental stewardship and the long-term wellbeing of the Perth Hills community.

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