29/4/03
Acting Planning Minister Tom Stephens today foreshadowed new uses for land in Caversham and Herne Hill.
Mr Stephens said Planning Minister Alannah MacTiernan's decision followed a lengthy process of consultation since three areas were identified as potential village sites under the Swan Valley Planning Act.
One of those areas, at Caversham, would be rezoned from rural to urban as a result of that consultation and following advice from the WA Planning Commission.
A second area, at Herne Hill, would be reclassified to allow rural living with a minimum lot size of four hectares.
Mr Stephens said there has been no determination on the third area, Middle Swan. However, the planning commission would undertake a more detailed six-month planning study.
The acting Minister said the aim was to end uncertainty and stimulate new investment.
"These decisions will allow affected land owners in Caversham and Herne Hill to make decisions on the future of their holdings," he said.
"The three areas of land are identified in the Swan Valley Planning Act as 'Area D', which allows for rural villages but doesn't describe what this means in detail."
As a result of the Government's decision, Caversham 'Area D' land would be removed from coverage by the Act and rezoned in the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) as Urban or Urban Deferred.
"The land adjoins an existing urban area and is close to appropriate infrastructure," Mr Stephens said.
"This will require an amendment to the Act and further consultation before the MRS is amended.
"Additional work will need to be done to identify suitable buffers between the future urban area and the surrounding existing rural land uses.
"There is also a recommendation that the Herne Hill 'Area D' be transferred to 'Area C' to allow for small scale rural activities and lifestyles, with a minimum lot size of four hectares.
"Providing certainty on the future of this area will stimulate renewed interest in a range of tourism-related and boutique rural enterprises.
"The commission and the Swan Valley Planning Committee argued the area is too small to support a sustainable village and the likely impact on the Swan Valley landscape and the cost of providing infrastructure added to its unsuitability. The City of Swan also raised concerns.
"The study of Middle Swan 'Area D' will examine the suitability of this land being developed for urban purposes, the extent of future development and the incorporation of suitable buffers, as with Caversham. A portion of the Middle Swan area is adjacent to urban development and existing social and transport infrastructure."
Mr Stephens said Planning Minister Alannah MacTiernan's decisions followed examination of a 2000 Rural Villages Study of Planning Options for the development of 'Area D' and consideration of public comment.
The areas designated as 'Area D' Precincts in the Swan Valley Planning Act were designated to accommodate 'villages in a rural setting'. However, the Act provided no detail on the number, size or make up of such villages.
The 2000 report was commissioned to examine various options for rural villages in the Swan Valley and was advertised for public submissions in May 2000. The Swan Valley Planning Committee and the WA Planning Commission considered the report and submissions over a two-year period.
Minister's office: 9213 6400
