17 February 2006

Text may be used as quotes attributed to Mr Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman, Western Australian Planning Commission

The WAPC is alarmed about the rapid increase in speculation in rural land in the Peel Region.

There appears to be highly unrealistic expectations of urbanisation in parts of the region, particularly in the farming areas east of the Peel Harvey estuary.

Land owners, developers, investors and speculators need to understand that there are no plans to convert extensive areas of rural land to urban zoned land.  There are no current plans to approve major new subdivisions in the area.

Members of the public are warned that investment schemes based solely on the prospects of rural land being rezoned and subdivided may be purely speculative.

The Peel Region, centred on Mandurah, has outstanding natural and other attractions and is experiencing sustained urban growth.  From next year it will have a fast, frequent rail service connecting it to the entire Perth Region.  Construction of the Perth Bunbury Highway will dramatically improve access to Perth, Bunbury and the South-West.

The WAPC is working with state agencies, the Mandurah and Murray councils and the community so that the resulting growth can be sustainable.

The WAPC will seek to minimise the loss of farmland, to maintain agricultural production and jobs.  The WAPC will manage urban development to ensure that it creates communities, brings local employment, delivers affordable housing, reduces travel demand, supports public transport, minimises impacts on rivers, lakes and estuaries and protects bushland.

All of these principles apply in Perth, where 50 years of regional planning and the operation of the Metropolitan Region Scheme has enabled governments to manage urban growth in the long-term public interest.

The Peel Region now has the Peel Region Scheme. The WAPC assures the community that it will be used to prevent sprawl and to avoid loss of the region’s precious environmental assets.  New urban development will be planned with the community and will meet much higher standards of urban design and environmental performance.

Land owners, developers, investors and speculators are warned that the community demands excellent planning and sustainable development and expects the WAPC to ensure that plans serve the long-term interests of the region.

ends

Media contact: Natasha Farrell 9264 7518 / 0408 955 604