Minister brings creation of satellite city closer

7/9/00
The creation of a satellite city north of Perth with a population five times the size of Bunbury moved a step closer today.
Planning Minister Graham Kierath today visited the St Andrews area, north of Perth, to open a site office for the community to get information on what is planned and also contribute their ideas and opinions.
Mr Kierath said the St Andrews project was a 30-year plan by the State Government and the City of Wanneroo, in conjunction with the Japanese Tokyu Corporation which owns the 6,000ha site.
"The site office will help ensure that the community is kept informed and given easy access to make a contribution to the development of the project," he said.
Tokyu Corporation Australia chief representative, Mr Arthur Ikeda, said the site office at the company's Club Capricorn Resort, south of Two Rocks would be open to the public every Wednesday and by appointment.
Mr Ikeda said in addition the St Andrews' newsletter, the first of which was published last week, is available on the project website http://www.ideaproject.com.au.
He said it was important that the community have the opportunity to keep informed about the progress of the St Andrews project which is intended to eventually create 55,000 homes for a population of 150,000 people.
"We have already spent 10 years working on the project and we are committed to it reaching fruition," Mr Ikeda said.
"Our purpose is the creation of a framework which will enable sustainable urban and economic development to occur in this area."

Mr Kierath said a key facet of the project was to ensure that there were industries and jobs to sustain the population.
He said a three-day workshop in March this year began investigating the type of industries that should be attracted to the area and hopefully provide 60,000 jobs.
"It will be a completely new city where now there is little more than sand dunes," Mr Kierath said.
"With a new city, we have the opportunity to attract new industries such as research and electronics.
"That is where a facility such as the site office is important in ensuring that any ideas are not lost in the process."
A second workshop will be held later today at the Phil Renkin Community Centre in Two Rocks.
Media contact: Zac Donovan (08) 9213 6400