COCKBURN’s new suburb of Treeby is on hold after council deferred advertising its plan for the site for two months.

Recently councillors voted 6-2 against adopting the draft structure plan as Treeby’s boundaries are still unclear due to the widening of Jandakot and Solomon Roads, with land negotiations currently taking place.

The development, which threatens 10 hectares of Bush Forever land, will not go out for public consultation until May, by which time the council expects the negotiations to have been resolved.

Cr Steven Portelli voted against the deferral, arguing that Treeby aligned with the city’s plan for urban infill near Cockburn Central shops and transport.

“It will be beneficial for the city and the sooner it’s out for feedback, the better,” he said.

Last week, the Chook reported that Treeby will have 3500-3800 houses and a small shopping centre, with almost 95 per cent of the Bush Forever site to be retained.

Cockburn council planning director Daniel Arndt said the draft structure plan did not commit the city to any land acquisition.

“The only implications of not releasing the draft are on landowners and their ability to move forwards until we have it in a concrete structure plan.”

by CHARLIE SMITH