Problems in the planning system will continue unless the community is more involved, according to Lisa Thornton, a community independent running for the seat of Churchlands.

The expensive process of developing local planning laws was wasted if they were overruled by “unelected and undemocratic” panels appointed by the state government, Ms Thornton said.

She said a proposed 23-storey apartment development at the rundown Ocean Village Shopping Centre in City Beach highlighted the flaws in the system.

“I think the frustration of residents is that they haven’t been fully involved in the decision-making, which highlights a broader issue with our planning system,” she said.

“Planning is a science but it’s not rocket science, so let’s not underestimate the intelligence of our community.”

The $200 million project by development company Blackburne is currently being assessed by the State Development Assessment Unit, which will make a recommendation to the WA Planning Commission.

Ms Thornton said she had door-knocked the area and most locals liked the idea of apartments, shops and an entertainment precinct. But they were concerned about the height and scale of the Blackburne project.

The current approval structure for large development projects was established during the COVID crisis.

“It was only meant to be temporary, for shovel-ready projects, because we wanted to keep our economy going,” Ms Thornton said.

“That made sense at that time so that we could be nimble, but we need to pivot and adjust.”

If elected, she would advocate for a third-party right of appeal on planning decisions.

“Currently, if a planning decision is made, only the developer can appeal that decision,” she said.

“Local councils and communities don’t have access to that right of appeal.

“The only access that they have to challenge that is the Supreme Court, and that is extremely expensive.

“We need to bring the whole process closer to the community and local government.”

Liberal candidate Basil Zempilas said third-party appeal rights would not be necessary if state planners adhered to an orderly planning framework.

Greens candidate Caroline McLean said communities should be able to “push back” on developments that did not “feel right for them”.

“Developers can appeal decisions they don’t like so it’s only fair the community has this right as well,” she said.

Victoria and NSW have third-party right of appeal laws, which worked well and allowed for big projects to be planned in consultation with the community.

Only a handful of businesses remain at the Ocean Village centre, most running on monthly leases. The site is surrounded by reserve with mature tuart trees which locals were concerned might be removed.