Introduction
The State Government released the Perth and Peel @ 3.5 Million strategy and the associated South Metropolitan Peel Sub-regional Planning Framework in March 2018.
The intent of the sub-regional framework is to plan for the future growth of the Perth metropolitan and Peel region to accommodate a projected population of 3.5 million by 2050. The sub-regional framework is intended to provide guidance for:
- the preparation of amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme, the City of Rockingham Local Planning Scheme, the upcoming Local Planning Strategy, district and local structure plans, and activity centre structure plans; and
- The staging and sequencing of urban development to inform public investment in regional, community, social and service infrastructure.
The sub-regional framework can be viewed on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
The sub-regional framework has confirmed the intended footprint for urban expansion within Karnup. The area shown for future urban development is identified to be delivered post 2031.
In addition to the timeframe specified for development, the sub-regional framework requires local government and the Western Australian Planning Commission to prepare a District Structure Plan in advice of rezoning and development.
We are committed to progress preparation of the District Structure Plan at its earliest opportunity, where appropriate. We are currently liaising with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to understand technical detail in relation to key implications of the frameworks.
It is also noted that the State Government has suspended the preparation of the Strategic Assessment for Perth and Peel Regions (SAPPR). We are liaising with State Government agencies to determine if there are any implications from the announcement. Further details are contained below.
Why prepare a District Structure Plan?
In areas likely to experience significant growth like Karnup, it is important to have a plan in order to understand where future land use, like housing, should be located. It is also important to coordinate the provision of future services and infrastructure like major roads, water reticulation and waste water infrastructure.
The need to prepare a District Structure Plan is outlined within the South Metropolitan Peel Sub-regional Planning Framework. The sub-regional framework states that a District Structure Plan is to be prepared by local government in collaboration with the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) as a precursor to rezoning and development.
The Karnup District Structure Plan is intended to identify:
(a) Future residential suburbs
(b) Areas to be protected such as bushland, streams and other wetlands
(c) The location of future high schools
(d) The location of future hospitals and other community facilities
(e) Area to be set aside for shopping centres
(f) Commercial and employment areas
(g) Major sporting ovals and facilities
(h) The location of major roads and potentially light rail transit lines
(i) Connections and integration with the planned Karnup train station being progressed by the State Government as part of Metronet.
We will appoint a team of consultants to prepare the District Structure Plan for Karnup. The team will comprise town planners, engineers, retail economists, landscape architects and environmental scientists.
What is involved in preparing a District Structure Plan?
The process of preparing the District Structure Plan is quite long. Prior to designing the structure plan, it is necessary to complete a number of studies and assessments, including:
(a) environmental
(b) district water management
(c) engineering and servicing
(d) economic and retail
(e) transport
(f) community needs.
Once the studies have been completed, the team will be able to enter the design phase.
Once the design phase and initial consultation is completed, the District Structure Plan may be lodged with the City for assessment, followed by formal advertising and endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
In July 2011, the Western Australian Ministers for Planning and Environment and the Commonwealth Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities agreed to undertake a Strategic Assessment of the Perth and Peel regions of Western Australia (SAPPR), or otherwise known as the Green Growth Plan.
The Strategic Assessment assessed the impact of the future development proposed under the following state land use planning documents on 'matter of national environmental significance' (MNES) listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act:
- Directions 2031 and Beyond - Regional Planning Framework for Perth and Peel
- The Western Australian Planning Commission's (WAPC) forthcoming sub regional structure plans for the southern metropolitan and Peel, north-west and north-east, and a central consolidation plan
- A revised State Planning Policy - Basic Raw Materials.
The State Government sought public comment on the draft Green Growth Plan from 17 December 2015 to 13 May 2016. The City provided a submission on the document.
On 6 April 2018, the State Government advised that it had suspended the project. The following information was published:
"The State Government has decided to suspend work on the Strategic Assessment of the Perth and Peel Regions (SAPPR) until a critical review of the ongoing costs, risks and benefits for Western Australia is completed and can be considered by government. A lot of important and complex work has been completed as part of the SAPPR process and some outcomes have been delivered - including helping inform the sub-regional planning frameworks which were recently endorsed by the State Government.
However the project presents many policy, legal and financial challenges which have been proving difficult to resolve, amongst the competing priorities of the government. As a result a re-evaluation of the project is the responsible step forward.
In the coming months, an independent review will consult across governments, and with industry, local governments and non-government organisations.
SAPPR sought to secure up front environmental approval for future development and raw materials extraction for an identified development footprint for a 30-year period. It represents the largest and most complex land use reconciliation work, attempting to balance certainty for development and long term environmental protection".
South Metropolitan and Peel Sub-Regional Structure Plan
In March 2018, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage finalised the South Metropolitan Peel Sub-Regional Planning Framework.
A sub-regional framework is the highest level strategic document prepared by the WAPC. It provides a broad spatial land use framework for future coordination of medium to long-term land use and major infrastructure development of numerous land holdings often covering more than one local government area.
The key aims of the framework are to:
- achieve a more consolidated urban form and development within the sub-region
- meet long-term housing requirements
- strengthen key activity centres and employment nodes to meet the future needs of industry, commerce, and the community
- identify requirements for key community and social infrastructure such as those required for health and tertiary education
- provide transport linkages that connect people with key centres of activity and employment, and access to areas beyond the Perth and Peel regions
- facilitate and support a future regional transportation network and facilitate the provision of service infrastructure
- identify sites to meet the growing requirements for regional sport and recreation facilities
- recognise that the Peel-Harvey catchment requires sensitive land use planning and that management of drainage and environmental issues is paramount
- protect areas with regional conservation, environmental and landscape value
- establish the elements and functions of the green network in supporting an active and healthy community
- encourage and guide increased connectivity between areas of open space or conservation through integrated green network
- protect areas with basic raw materials for timely extraction
- provide ongoing consideration of water supply and protection of public drinking water source areas
- retain land for rural and agricultural purposes
- guide the staging and sequencing of future development.
The sub-regional framework is currently being reviewed by our Strategic Planning Team to consider implications of the urban footprint and staging requirements for urban land and development.
Can landowners comment?
We are committed to consultation with landowners in the design and development of the District Structure Plan. When the project recommences, a key component of the preparation of the plan will include community engagement.
Where to from here?
Before the project can recommence, we will need to complete a comprehensive review of the outcomes and development timeframes contained in the framework to inform the manner in which the project will proceed.
The timing for recommencement is also reliant on the timeframe for when funding for the project will be made available through the City's budget processes.
This web page will be updated periodically to reflect the progression of the Structure Plan.
In the interim, contact us with any enquiries on 9528 0333.