A crime-plagued Aldi in Perth has been denied permission to install security shutters as a “last resort” measure to protect the store from a high number of break-ins and vandalism, after an expert argued it would “create a hostile space”.
A crime-plagued Aldi supermarket in Perth has been locked in a battle with the local council after a simple request was denied.A crime-plagued Aldi in Perth has been denied permission to install security shutters as a “last resort” measure to protect the store from a high number of break-ins and vandalism, after an expert argued it would “create a hostile space ”.
Following a spate of incidents at the Aldi in Byford, a suburb in Perth’s southeast, the German discount supermarket lodged a development application for security shutters that would help obscure and protect the glazed shopfront while it is closed from 10pm to 6am. But the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale rejected the plans in July last year, arguing that the shutters would compromise the “character of the locality” and increase the expectation of crime in the area. “A 24-metre long stretch of blank shutters on a shop front tends to send a message, particularly to pedestrians in the evening and night-time, of an unsafe environment,” planning expert Heather O’Brien, giving evidence for the council, told the State Administrative Tribunal of WA.“The addition of blank shutters over the windows of Aldi during its closing hours would not be compatible or consistent with the existing locality or the design of the existing building. In my view the blank shutters would create a hostile space, detracting from the existing character of the locality.”“The applicant’s main argument is the shutters are required as a ‘last resort’ to address incidents of vandalism and theft experienced at the Aldi shop,” the tribunal said in its ruling. “However, on the evidence before me … the proposed development is not in any way a last resort in the sense provided for in .” Aldi told the tribunal that it had experienced eight incidents of vandalism, break-in or attempted break-in between April 2022 and June 2023, resulting in damage to the glazed shopfront and theft of goods.Nathan Stewart, an expert planning witness called by Aldi, said that while the proposed added security measure would not be ideal, “I do not think the impact of the closed shutters is significant and a high quality urban design outcome is still achieved”. Mr Stewart also suggested that closed shutters were a preferable amenity outcome to broken windows being visible in the town centre. But the tribunal rejected this argument. “I do not accept the proposition one or two damaged glazing panels has a greater negative amenity impact than covering the entire glazed shopfront each night,” the tribunal said. “This is because repairs are made quickly and, on the evidence before me, damage is limited to very few of the panels of the glazed shopfront.”While Aldi had argued the shutters were needed as it had already tried many other methods to prevent crime, including CCTV and 24-hour lighting, the tribunal found there were more options available including further improved lighting, “more prominent CCTV and possible modifications to the glazed shopfront”. “While I accept incidents of vandalism and theft have occurred … on the evidence before me, other alternatives and improvements exist which have not been tried and therefore the proposed development is not, I find, a last resort,” the tribunal said.See when the nation’s major supermarkets and retailers will open on Anzac Day in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and more.Shoppers, workers and grieving community members have said it feels strange to be back at the scene of the horrific attack.One of Australia’s major banks has announced a huge change to how thousands of people do their banking – and it’s coming soon.
Glazed Shopfront Urban Design Outcome Development Application Byford Agence France Presse Oceania Serpentine-Jarrahdale Preferable Amenity Outcome Senate Inquiry Security Shutters Expert Planning Damaged Glazing Panels Getty Images Inc. Aldi Inc. Heather O’Brien Aidan Patrick Australia And New Zealand Perth State Administrative Tribunal Town Centre Hostile Space Added Security Measure Planning Policy Closed Shutters German Discount Supermarket Supermarket Pricingaustralia Nathan Stewart Google Inc. Australia Negative Amenity Impact Furious Fight
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Qantas flight from Melbourne lands in Perth after engine shut down following 'large bang'Passengers flying from Melbourne to Perth suffer a scare as pilots are forced to manually shut down one of the plane's engines, with one of those on board saying there was a 'very, very' loud bang.
Read more »
NDIS worker accused of indecently assaulting Perth elderly aged care residentThe 27-year-old man was employed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme to work at aged care facilities around Perth and allegedly assaulted the elderly resident at a home in the western suburbs.
Read more »
Perth and Melbourne lead the way amid record population growthNew data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has broken down the record population growth which has occurred across Australia's capital cities.
Read more »
Hero neighbours brave house fire to rescue Perth familyTrapped inside the home was a father and his three children, including his teenage son who lives with epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
Read more »
Perth property prices: East coast buyers bet on AUKUS, power Perth’s property boomPerth is the country’s hottest property market as migrants converge with east coast investors betting that major defence contracts will boost rents and returns.
Read more »
NASA's Ingenuity helicopter sends last message from Mars to EarthThe helicopter, called Ingenuity, has transmitted its final message to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the red planet's surface, the space agency says.
Read more »