24 July 2007

The WAPC has released the Lower Great Southern Strategy to provide guidance for the future planning of the region.

WAPC Chairman Jeremy Dawkins said the strategy addresses broad planning considerations across the City of Albany and shires of Denmark, Plantagenet and Cranbrook. 

"The incredible landscape values, natural resources and development potential of the region are attracting an increasing population.

“Significant population growth and economic development pressures have resulted in various uses competing for the same land resources.

"The strategy addressed the critical balance between job creation and land use requirements of the agriculture, forestry, tourism and fishing sectors while maintaining the quality of the life of residents.

“The strategy provides a coordinated approach to plan for important infrastructure such as industrial areas, regional roads, protection of the port and access to it, protection of the airport and its buffers, priority agricultural and basic raw materials resource areas.

"The strategy includes a regional land use plan that identifies broad land use categories for specific locations," Mr Dawkins said.

Categories identified in the land use plan include:
· settlement hierarchy
· conservation reserves
· agricultural land
· rural
· water supply areas
· industrial areas
· infrastructure
· mineral and construction materials

Community Advisory Group Chair Albany MLA Peter Watson said the regional land use plan could be used as a starting point in the investigation of a region scheme.

"The strategy provides a strong planning framework to guide the future growth and development of the region and a region scheme will strengthen this.

"During the consultation phase the community and major stakeholders highlighted the need for a region planning scheme, especially to set aside priority areas for regional open space and major infrastructure development.

"The government has responded and will establish a planning coordinating committee to investigate the form and extent of a region scheme and make recommendations to the WAPC on ways to develop and realise the scheme.
"The committee will also oversee and guide implementation of the strategy.

"The strategy has been prepared following comprehensive consultation with the community and stakeholders and this will continue through the implementation phase.

"Evaluation, monitoring and review of the strategy will provide further opportunity for strong community and stakeholder participation, and I encourage residents to play a role," Mr Watson said.

The strategy is available from the WAPC website.

ends

Contact: Natasha Farrell 9264 7518/0408 955 604