CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Dr TRISH COOK (Bullwinkel) (10:35): I rise today to highlight a huge win for the Perth Hills environment and community, and it's also a win for common sense. The WA State Administration Tribunal has upheld their refusal for the proposed North Stoneville Structure Plan. I acknowledge the work that the tribunal has done in its rigorous consideration of this matter.
As a former Shire of Mundaring councillor and deputy president and the federal member for Bullwinkel, I have consistently opposed this particular proposal because of the unacceptable bushfire safety risks that it posed to future residents and the broader community. The development would have seen major residential real estate established across 535 hectares of fire-prone bushland in the Perth Hills.
It would have caused the destruction of 60,000 trees, which are importantly part of the habitat for the endangered black cockatoos. The site had insufficient bushfire evacuation options, and it relied on strained water supplies and strained local infrastructure. Importantly, this is not about opposing development; this is about supporting appropriate development.
We all know we need more homes, but they must be built in the right places and planned with the appropriate infrastructure and local conditions in mind. I want to thank the local community group, Save Perth Hills, who have worked tirelessly over many years to ensure local voices were part of the planning considerations as well. I'm proud to have stood with my community in Perth Hills throughout this 35-year-old campaign, and I welcome this as a win for us all.
I also rise to talk about the remarkable work of Comfort Quilts Against Cancer. They're a not-for-profit charity based in my electorate of Bullwinkel in the Wheatbelt town of Northam. They provide free, hand-made care packages to patients undergoing treatment in their fight against cancer.
As a nurse, I know what comfort and sense of hope these care packages can bring to people undergoing treatment. I recently had the pleasure of visiting their workshop, where I met Maureen and Ros, two dedicated volunteers who care deeply. I saw firsthand the quilts, scarves and beanies that they make across a huge network of volunteers and send to patients right across WA and Australia voluntarily for free.
Each step of the process—from sourcing materials, assembly and postage costs—relies on the compassion of everyday Australians who want to provide a symbol of comfort and hope to what is often one of the most challenging times in people's lives: undergoing cancer treatment. To the founder, Bronwyn; to Maureen and Ros; and to everyone involved with Comfort Quilts Against Cancer, thank you for generosity and compassion.