Seven years after the City of Subiaco crossed swords with the State government over a contentious high-rise development, it is once more facing a potential showdown over density.

This time it is the western suburbs council’s suburban streets that are in the sights of the WA Planning Commission, which has proposed rezoning significant parts of Subiaco, Shenton Park and Daglish. If the plan goes ahead it could mean an extra 9000 homes across the city.

Some streets that now allow for a single or two-storey house would have apartment blocks of at least four storeys and potentially up to six if development bonuses were allowed.

The highest density would be around Daglish and Shenton Park train stations and parts of Hay Street and Rokeby Road.

Local resident Genevieve Binnie is the founder of the Save Subi group, which is fighting the proposed changes.

She said the draft local planning scheme, which is out for public comment until next month, could destroy heritage-rich suburbs.

“We’re looking at the potential destruction of at least 50 per cent of Subiaco, Daglish and Shenton Park,” she said.

“We’ve got so little architec-tural history in Perth.

“We’re not saying we’re against development at all, we’re saying it’s got to be in the right places.”

Subiaco mayor Penny Taylor said the city’s alternative plan, which was changed by the WAPC, would still have met its infill targets with about 6200 new homes.

“We know what the State is trying to achieve — the city has a number of areas that fall within walkable catchments of the train stations of Shenton Park, Daglish, Subiaco and West Leederville train stations, which makes them prime locations for increased density,” she said.

“However, the city had already met housing targets with our original proposal, prior to the WAPC modifications.

“This, along with community feedback, presents a strong case for a more reasonable outcome for the whole of Subiaco.”

The Subiaco council clashed with the government over plans for the former Pavilion Markets site.

The then council, of which Ms Taylor was not a part, was ultimately overruled by the government but the development never eventuated.

Save Subi and the council believe high-density development at the Subiaco Oval and Princess Margaret Hospital sites could minimise it elsewhere. Planning Minister Rita Saffioti appeared to suggest compromise was on the table.

“Together with specific feedback on the proposed scheme, the community is also requested to identify areas which they believe should have greater density,” she said.

“For example, proposed new developments around Subiaco Oval and the PMH site may be able to offset the need to develop housing in other parts of Subiaco. This is all up for further discussion.”