Plans for scaled-down urban development of NE Corridor released

1/11/94

The State Government today presented the finalised plans for a dramatically scaled-down urban development of the North-East Corridor and reaffirmed its commitment to protect the special rural character of the Swan Valley.

Planning Minister Richard Lewis presented plans to Parliament to provide the infrastructure for a potential population in the North-East Corridor of up to 80,000 people.

Mr Lewis said this was a dramatic reduction of the previous government's plans for a population of nearly a quarter of a million people in the area.

The Minister said the North-East Corridor amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme, which provides land to house 30,000 people, includes the setting aside of an additional 390 hectares for parks and recreation.  This would be added to the 466 hectares already protected in the Ellenbrook area.

There would also be no urban development in the Swan Valley or in Whiteman Park.

"The Coalition Government, unlike the previous adminstration, has taken a responsible and environmentally sensitive approach to planning in the North-East Corridor," Mr Lewis said.

"The former government made statutory provision for the urban zoning of the new town of Ellenbrook, to accommodate more than 50,000 people, but put nothing in place in terms of roads or other infrastructure to service this development.

"Without the new roads provided for in this amendment, traffic would choke the Swan Valley and impact on existing rural and residential areas.

"In particular, without these new roads there would be the need to widen West Swan Road with dire consequences for adjacent landowners and the special character of the Swan Valley.

"The alternate proposal for Henley Brook Avenue was developed as a result."

Mr Lewis said the Coalition Government had embarked on a comprehensive public consultation process over the proposals.

Some 220 submissions were received which had led to a number of modifications to the original plans.

The amendment would lead to an additional 390 hectares being permanently set aside as parks and recreation.

This included 162 hectares which had previously been zoned Urban Deferred but which now will be protected as parks and recreation.

The route and design of Henley Brook Avenue reflect views put by the community.

Mr Lewis said the local community had originally supported a route extending from the Tonkin Highway as the preferred option for the Perth to Darwin Highway.

However, the Environmental Protection Authority saw this as an unacceptable risk to the State's valuable groundwater resources.

"The EPA has now determined a route between Whiteman Park and future urban development outside of the Swan Valley as acceptable, subject to various studies and safeguards," the Minister said.

"The EPA has also recommended that further studies be undertaken before urban development takes place at Henley Brook and West Swan.

"The Government agrees with this approach and will fund these studies to ensure any development does not harm the environment."

Mr Lewis said a number of Aboriginal sites of significance would be protected under the North-East Corridor amendment, including Yagan's gravesite next to the West Swan Road.

These decisions had been made after a two-day field trip involving Commissioners of the State Planning Commission and members of the Nyungah community.

Media contact: Tony Robertson 222 9595