21 April 2006

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

All business premises in the South-West Region will be included in a major survey by the WAPC.

The WAPC wants a complete picture of the trends in urban development and the issues that need to be included in regional plans.

As the State’s regional planning authority, the WAPC collects and publishes information about land supply, population growth and urban development throughout Western Australia.

This latest land use and employment survey is a big undertaking.  Six contract staff will be employed for approximately four months to survey the whole of the South-West Region.

Businesses will be asked about the activity the business conducts, how much floor space the business occupies and how many people work there.

Where people work plays a role in determining where they live and how they travel to work, both of which influence future urban growth and the provision of infrastructure.

Predicting growth and demand helps businesses plan for changing markets, and helps governments plan for roads, public transport, schools and health care facilities.  It enables existing data collections to be updated.

The WAPC will use the data to prepare a regional commercial strategy, to support future strategic planning initiatives and statutory planning decisions and provide direction to local governments in preparing commercial strategies and local planning strategies.

Information specific to employment is confidential and is not given out to external parties.  Participation in the survey is not compulsory.  The WAPC encourages all businesses to participate in providing the essential information for effective long term planning of the region.

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Media contact: Natasha Farrell 9264 7518 / 0408 955 604