The implementation of the strategic planning frameworks to govern Perth’s future urban growth were discussed in detail at an Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) breakfast this morning, where Director General of the Department of Planning; Lands and Heritage Gail McGowan presented on the government’s plans to over 350 guests.
“Given the strategic nature of the planning frameworks and the numerous stakeholders involved in delivering them, it is critical that we have a clear implementation plan which provides additional guidance and certainty to the property development industry, community and local governments,” UDIA WA CEO Allison Hailes said.
“A lot of further work is required to interpret and translate the documents into more detailed plans and policies that can be used at a local level to guide development assessment and decision making in the years to come. Whether it is through local town planning schemes, quality precinct planning, or strategic aggregation of lands in priority areas, there’s much more work to be done” according to Ms Hailes.
“The state government’s Sub Regional Planning Frameworks for the Perth and Peel Region identify what land will be developed and for what purpose, out to 2050, and include targets for the number and location of homes and jobs that are to be delivered in each local government area,” Ms Hailes said.
“These documents are intended to guide the future development of Perth, so it is critical that we understand how the state government is planning to implement the frameworks and how they are to be used by local government in achieving the set targets,” Ms Hailes said.
“Perth’s growth, the need to attract more people here and the idea of creating a new ‘brand’ for Perth have all been hot topics of discussion over the past few weeks,” Ms Hailes said. “These documents are critical in providing the basis for how we move forward.”
“For example, the outer metropolitan Shire of Murray is earmarked to accommodate 61,180 additional dwellings in the next 30 years, and Rockingham is expected to increase by 51,130 dwellings,” Ms Hailes said.
“You’ve also got more central areas such as Stirling, which is allocated an extra 60,330 dwellings, Canning an extra 19,530 dwellings and Melville 18,480 dwellings.”
“These areas and many more are expected to provide a significant number of new dwellings and jobs so it is important that each local government puts a plan in place as to how those targets will be achieved,” Ms Hailes said.
“Another critical aspect is infrastructure planning and coordination and ensuring these areas have the infrastructure capacity to accommodate more dwellings in a very practical sense,” Ms Hailes said. “We are talking basic services such as water, sewer and electricity networks that need to be up to the task.”
“It is not only important for industry and government to plan ahead, it is also critical for local communities to understand how their local area might change or be impacted,” Ms Hailes said.
“Community engagement is so important to achieving support and understanding from local residents in terms of what they can expect and how greater densities might improve or add value to their area,” Ms Hailes said.
“We also need to move away from the existing plethora of policy and regulation and go back to a plan led system,” Ms Hailes said.
“If we are to achieve the infill targets that have been set, we will need neighbourhood and precinct plans that provide a clear outline of what is expected in an area and how it will be achieved,” Ms Hailes said.
“We don’t want to see poor outcomes and ad hoc attempts at urban infill that don’t create optimal outcomes for existing and new residents or that don’t improve the local amenity,” Ms Hailes said.
“Obviously the implementation of these frameworks is a massive task incorporating all levels of government and the private sector working together. It is pleasing to know that the WAPC is committed to continually reviewing the effectiveness of the frameworks and will undertake a comprehensive review in three years, to ensure that they are achieving the outcomes set,” Ms Hailes said.
Ends.
For more information:
Gemma Osiejak
UDIA WA Executive Manager Communications & Marketing
E: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au
M: 0421 506 819