Atlas Brick site, Mirrabooka, not to be rezoned industrial

September 17, 1996

Planning Minister Richard Lewis today confirmed that the Atlas Brick site in Mirrabooka would not be rezoned industrial.

Mr Lewis said the proposal to rezone the site from parks and recreation to industrial had been scrapped following a recommendation from the Western Australian Planning Commission.

The rezoning was included in the draft North-West Corridor Omnibus No. 2 Amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) which was released for public comment in March.

Tabling the final amendment in State Parliament today, Mr Lewis said public consultation was an important part of the planning process which, on this occasion, revealed a community expectation that the area would be converted to parks and recreation, despite the current industrial use.

"The depth of public concern was highlighted at the recent Premier's Community Forum at Ballajura," the Minister said.

"The removal of the proposal to rezone the Alexander Drive site demonstrates that the amendment process is an effective planning mechanism in which people can have great confidence."

Mr Lewis said the proposed rezoning to urban of a 14.6ha public purposes site on the corner of Morley and Bottlebrush Drives in Kiara had also been deleted from the amendment.

"In light of the public submissions, there will be further consultation between the Shire of Swan, the Department of Training and the Education Department on the future of site," he said.

Mr Lewis said community support in relation to other proposals included in the amendment had ensured that nearly 300 ha of land would be reserved for parks and recreation purposes.

A section of the Maylands foreshore adjoining Bardon Park would be classified parks and recreation for the first time, and a significant area in the City of Wanneroo would become parkland.

"The amendment rezones 220ha on the corner of Wanneroo Road and Burns Beach Road from rural to parks and recreation," the Minister said.

"This is a significant step in securing a greenbelt between Lake Goollelal and Yanchep National Park."

Mr Lewis said the proposal to rezone 10.4ha on the Maylands foreshore from urban to parks and recreation recognised the regional significance of Bardon Park.

"The area contains freshwater springs which are essential to maintain the freshwater ecology of the wetlands," he said.

"As well as being environmentally sensitive, the foreshore has importance in relation to European settlement and Aboriginal history.

"The area to be reclassified includes some privately owned properties, including the St Anne's Hospital foreshore."

Other changes included in the tabled amendment will create parks and recreation reservations on almost 30 ha in Sydney Road, Gnangara, and 16ha in Landsdale.

Mr Lewis said other rezonings that had been withdrawn included a reservation for a future link road between Pearson Street and Stephenson Avenue in Woodlands and a proposal to zone urban a 0.5hectare site in Finnerty Street, Karrinyup to allow for the development of retirement housing.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377 or 480 5125 (pgr)