THE Environment Protection Authority has poured cold water on proposed extensions to an Upper Swan transport depot, claiming it could have harmful effects on an already endangered species.
The EPA has recommended that if the proposal is rejected by the City of Swan, the site be monitored to prevent unauthorised activity.
Jan Bant, chairwoman of Friends of Western Swamp Tortoise, was against the development.
“The more developments there are means the more chances there are of spills,” she said.
Ms Bant also said the group was against any extensions to the area.
The proposal maps out an extra 70 parking bays for cars, trucks and trailers that will cover 1.2 hectares and a caretaker’s residence at the depot on Great Northern Highway.
After a four-week assessment, the EPA concluded low-level oil leaks from vehicles and accidental oil, fuel or hydraulic fluid spills could contaminate water in a nearby reserve.
EPA chairman Paul Vogel said the safety of the tortoises was the Authority’s top priority.
“The EPA has been advised that the existing transport depot on the site was built prior to the proponent obtaining the necessary planning approval and that planning approval was given retrospectively,” he said.
“Aerial photographs also appear to indicate that the proponent has commenced parking trucks in an area outside the area (that was) the subject of the retrospective planning approval.
“If the current proposals were implemented, the EPA requests that relevant state and local government agencies monitor the site to prevent any unauthorised implementation of the proposal and report any breaches of the Environmental Protection Act to the Department of Environment and Conservation.”
A two-week public appeal period on the contents of the EPA report closed on Monday.
City of Swan acting chief executive Scott Hollingworth said the City was processing the application for an extension and was making referrals to other agencies.
The City of Swan did not respond to Advocate questions about breaches of parking approvals. Applicant Adrian Brajkovich did not return Advocate calls for a comment.