Budget funding for planning studies of key country areas

19/6/95

The State Government will spend nearly $500,000 over the next year planning for the development of country regions throughout Western Australia.

Planning Minister Richard Lewis said the funds included in the State Budget would see key country regions targeted in a number of planning studies.

"This initiative is part of the Government's ongoing commitment to promote State-wide growth and development," the Minister said.

The new WA Planning Commission will co-ordinate the work as part of an overall State planning strategy which will be supported by individual region plans.

Mr Lewis said funding had been approved to prepare new development strategies for the Goldfields and Wheatbelt areas in conjunction with the relevant Regional Development Commissions.

"Rapid economic growth in the Goldfields has resulted in a number of planning problems such as lack of land for housing and other related issues which will need to be addressed," he said.

"Work on the Central Coast and Gascoyne Coast regional strategies will continue and they are expected to be completed this year."

The Minister said planning guidelines for the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge and reviews of the Shark Bay and Geraldton region plans would also be completed in the next financial year.

"In the South-West of the State, plans will also be prepared for the Mandurah-Pinjarra growth area, the Great Southern and Warren-Blackwood regions and a Coastal and Lakelands study is looking at the area between Dawesville and Binningup," he said.

Mr Lewis said regional planning was important to anticipate future needs for infrastructure, services and community facilities needed to accommodate growth and enable better coordination between Government agencies in the provision of essential services.

"Each region has its own unique opportunities based on natural resources, the environment and local industries," he said. 

"The studies are designed to capitalise on these opportunities while responding to different development pressures."

The region plans will assess the suitability of land for different uses such as urban, industrial, rural and conservation purposes and will involve ongoing consultation with the local communities and Shires.

Mr Lewis said strategic planning at the regional level was important to develop guidelines and policy frameworks to promote the growth of the State's regions and assist local authorities with more detailed planning.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377