Jandakot Groundwater Protection Policy finalised

23/6/98

The State Government has finalised the Jandakot Groundwater Protection Policy to maintain quality drinking water for future generations.

Planning Minister Graham Kierath said the policy provided guidelines that would be applied through local government town planning schemes over the Jandakot Groundwater Mound.

A Statement of Planning Policy was prepared by the Western Australian Planning Commission in conjunction with the Water and Rivers Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection and local government.

"The Jandakot Groundwater Protection Policy aims to protect groundwater and associated wetlands," Mr Kierath said.

"It follows the recent introduction of a new zone called Rural -Water Protection into the Metropolitan Region Scheme.

"The moves to protect groundwater stem from the 1994 Parliamentary Select Committee on Metropolitan Development and Groundwater Supplies."

Mr Kierath said the recommendations of the select committee had guided a whole-of-Government approach to protect groundwater.

Under the new policy, there would be a minimum lot size of two hectares and subdivision potential would continue to be guided by the Jandakot Land Use and Water Management Strategy.

"Current activities in the area will continue at their existing approved levels," the Minister said.

"However, a number of land uses may have some level of restriction on future development and will need to be referred to the Water and Rivers Commission before being approved by the local government.

"The 21 uses in this restricted category include equestrian activity and stables, kennels, extractive industry and some horticultural uses such as floriculture, orcharding and viticulture.

"Golf courses and turf farms will not be permitted."

Mr Kierath said any future development plans would be assessed on their merits against the overriding objective of avoiding contamination of groundwater.

The Jandakot Groundwater Protection Policy is published in a special Government Gazette available from the State Law Publisher and the Ministry for Planning.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133