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Ron Van Delft
18 Troy St
BASSENDEAN  WA  6054

31 December 2007

Dear Sir/ Madam

Subdivision approval, corner Scadden and Troy Streets, Bassendean

I understand from the attached plan (Figure 1) that a subdivision has been approved at the corner of Scadden and Troy Streets Bassendean that permits construction of a road in an area that has been planted out and considered as part of the Broadway Arboretum since 1993 (Figure 2). 

The area in question was planted with Esperance Sandplain species by the Town of Bassendean. 
Such plantings are becoming increasingly important as people search for alternative plants that will
grow without irrigation in the reduced rainfall conditions being experienced in Perth as a result of
climate change.  A key concept in developing the Broadway Arboretum was that plants from every
region in South-Western Australia would be represented.

I write to express my extreme disappointment at the loss of the Esperance Sandplain vegetation type
from the Broadway Arboretum, particularly as this now means that not every vegetation region in
South-Western Australia is represented. 

I write to request a response explaining why this part of the Broadway Arboretum was not protected,
and accordingly have addressed this letter to both the Western Australian Planning Commission and
the Town of Bassendean.  I am also interested in finding out if there are proposals to relocate the Esperance Sandplain vegetation type to another part of the Broadway Arboretum or another nearby
area within the Town of Bassendean.

A response is needed to quell speculation in the community about why the Esperance Sandplain vegetation portion of the Arboretum has not been protected.  Blame is being directed by community members (rightly or wrongly) to both the Town of Bassendean for not converting the road reserve
into part of the Arboretum, for not advising the Western Australian Planning Commission of the
existence of the Arboretum and to the Western Australian Planning Commission for either not
consulting or ignoring advice from the Town of Bassendean.

I recognise that a decision has been made that cannot be overturned. 

I look forward to your response

Yours faithfully

Ron Van Delft

cc:        Martin Whitely MP; Bassendean Preservation Group; Cr Tina Klein

Figure 1:  Plan of subdivision

Figure 2: Broadway Arboretum – Plan showing vegetation type provided to residents in 1993

WA State Government Politicians
Western Australian Planning Commission
Town of Bassendean
Bassendean Preservation Group
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