Plans to reserve land for parks in Perth's eastern corridor announced

17/9/94

Plans to reserve more than 6,500 hectares of land for parks and recreation in Perth's eastern corridor - including the Avon Valley National Park - have been announced by Planning Minister Richard Lewis.

Mr Lewis said the proposals formed part of a major amendment to update the Metropolitan Region Scheme to show existing and future land uses in the corridor.

The amendment consisted of 31 different proposals for parks, urban, industrial and central city zones spread throughout the shires of Swan, Mundaring, Kalamunda, Bayswater and Bassendean.

Mr Lewis said many of the proposals were a reflection of what was already permitted and in some cases developed in local town planning schemes but not appropriately zoned at the regional level.

"The Avon Valley National Park is an example of one area which is not zoned according to its land use and recognised environmental and recreational value," he said.

"The park is currently zoned rural in the scheme, although it is owned by the State Government and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management."

Mr Lewis said the proposed parks and recreation reservations would further assist in achieving conservation goals, particularly in recognised EPA System 6 areas.

The proposals included setting aside 815 hectares of System 6 reserves and State Forest in Chidlow and Mount Helena surrounding Lake Leschenaultia.

"An additional 275 hectares will be set aside for conservation of flora and fauna in the Beechina Nature Reserve with restricted access," Mr Lewis said.

"This is an important 'A' Class Reserve and is intended to be appropriately zoned to be protected in perpetuity in the Metropolitan Region Scheme."

Other conservation proposals include reserving 119 hectares of System 6 land north of Bullsbrook, currently zoned rural, 72 hectares at Midvale and Middle Swan, land at Guildford, along the Swan River at Viveash and at Ellen Brook.

Mr Lewis said a number of proposals for industrial and urban uses were also being tied together in this major amendment.

"The amendment recognises the importance of the Morley Regional Centre which is proposed in a Central City zone, consistent with zonings at Midland, Fremantle and Rockingham," he said.

"While this will clearly identify Morley's regional role, the development potential and land use zonings in the City of Bayswater town planning scheme will not be affected."

The former Midland Technical College will also be included in the Central City zone covering the Midland Regional Centre.

Urban proposals include rezoning about 300 hectares of various land parcels in Mundaring, High Wycombe, Gooseberry Hill, Maida Vale, Bickley and Wooroloo.

The most significant urban rezoning is 219 hectares in the Vines Estate next to the Ellenbrook urban area to reflect the development potential of smaller lot sizes than in previous stages.

The Eastern Corridor Omnibus Amendment is available for public comment until December 16, 1994 and copies of the plans and proposals will be displayed at the Department of Planning and Urban Development and affected local authorities.

Media contact: Tony Robertson 222 9595