Perth's metropolitan coastline is a significant natural asset enjoyed by much of the city's population. Future development that will occur on the coast to meet increasing demands cannot happen in a haphazard manner and strategic regional planning must recognise the opportunities and constraints along the metropolitan coastline. There are areas where development can occur, where it should be sensitively placed and managed, or where it possibly should not take place at all.

This has been recognised by the Western Australian Government through the consultation carried out during the formulation of 'Coasts WA: Better Integration. The Western Australian Government's Response to the Coastal Taskforce Review' (2003). Identified as a priority coastal planning and management action under the Western Australian Planning Commission's Coastal Planning Program, and Dialogue with the City's draft Perth Planning Strategy, the Perth Coastal Planning Strategy (PCPS) has been initiated by the Coastal Planning and Coordination Council (CPCC) to ensure that future planning decisions are integrated and sustainable. It will assist in implementing and refining the Draft Coastal Zone Management Policy (MoP 2001), the State Coastal Planning Policy (SPP No. 2.6)(WA Govt 2003) and Dialogue with the city by developing a broad strategic framework for the metropolitan coast, identifying long-term opportunities and a range of actions required to realise them.

Government policy states that the use of coastal resources should be equitable and take account of the likely needs of future generations. Demands for housing, tourism, recreation, commercial and other activities along the coast should be accommodated, provided this can be done within the bounds of ecological sustainability, and within standards which are acceptable to the community (Draft Coastal Zone Management Policy, 2001).

It is acknowledged that much of the coast is already developed, so the PCPS will consolidate the current council plans dealing with the coast to identify any synergies or inconsistencies that may exist. Where there is more limited development, such as north of Ocean Reef and south around Rockingham, the PCPS will consider strategic directions being developed by state government agencies. Community surveys, which may have been limited to the immediate council area in the past, will be assessed and if broader comment is required, this will be sought from the wider Perth metropolitan community. This information will be compared to the directions being proposed with an assessment of their compatibility.