CHRIS THOMSON

Government planners have recommended the state planning watchdog refuse an application by the City of Wanneroo to approve its non-conforming and controversial aluminium boardwalk at Yanchep.

In a report to the WA Planning Commission’s powerful Statutory Planning Committee, the planners conclude the boardwalk – which has been the subject of local protests – is “visually intrusive”.

In April 2008, the city received WAPC approval to build a boardwalk in the Yanchep coastal foreshore reserve to link Compass Circle and Foreshore Vista.

However, the alignment of the walkway as built differed from that approved by the WAPC.

The state planners advise that if the structure were retrospectively approved it would establish an undesirable precedent for similar boardwalks at other foreshore parks.

The committee will consider the planners’ recommendation of refusal on Tuesday morning.

The City of Wanneroo has estimated its boardwalk would cost $300,000 to $400,000 to remove.