Staff asked to continue a public hearing on a 26.81-acre, three-building industrial park (Planning Case 25-272) at 5037 Petata Street to allow input from an adjacent city; commissioners voted to continue the hearing to Oct. 6.

A major development application for a 104‑room Holiday Inn Express was continued to Nov. 5 after county planning staff said they received a late resubmittal and needed time to review; the applicant warned new state timelines may make permitting more difficult.

The City of Swan council in Perth is preparing to allocate $50,000 for an independent review of its planning department after several residents raised concerns about how planning issues have been handled over the past six years. The review, proposed by local resident Gavan Troy at the February annual electors’ meeting, aims to assess processes, procedures, report preparations, and delegation of authority, with particular attention to planning matters in The Vines area. While council staff previously indicated that past decisions adhered to regulatory requirements and community input, councillor Rod Henderson successfully moved for the independent review to proceed, with the motion carried 13-2. A dedicated Planning Process Review Committee, expected to consist solely of five council members and two deputies, will oversee the review, determine its scope, select an independent consultant, and present findings to council later in the year. Staff anticipate the allocated $50,000 will cover a high-level assessment of department operations rather than a detailed analysis of individual development applications. The initiative reflects the council’s commitment to transparency and ongoing improvement, aligning with best practices for local government operations.