New land use policies for Albany region

10/6/94

Planning Minister Richard Lewis today released new land use policies for the Albany region to promote and guide development into the next century.

Mr Lewis said both the Regional Strategy and the Residential Expansion Strategy would help plan for the future growth of Albany as well as the neighbouring shires of Denmark and Plantagenet.

"Regional planning is extremely important in stimulating development and providing for population growth outside of the Perth metropolitan area," the Minister said.

"The Government is committed to creating lifestyle and employment opportunities in regional areas which offer a more than attractive alternative to living in the metropolitan area."

Mr Lewis said the regional strategy was a vision of the future which would provide a framework for social and economic development.

He said a strategy was needed because the projected population growth for the Albany region was set to rise from 34,000 in 1991 to 46,000 by 2001 - with a doubling of the population in the Shire of Albany.

"This region has many qualities which need to be safeguarded to ensure a prosperous future for the area and its people," he said.

"The region strategy sets out long-term goals for the protection of rural activities, conservation and future urban and commercial expansion."

The Minister said the Residential Expansion Strategy would specifically direct the future residential growth of Albany as the regional centre of the Great Southern.

"This strategy identifies the areas preferred for residential development and will help guide servicing agencies in ensuring an adequate supply of serviced residential land," he said.

"At present, there is enough residential and future urban land in Albany to create more than 4,700 lots.  Depending upon the rate of growth, up to 5,600 additional lots may be needed by the year 2001."

Both strategies were prepared by the Department of Urban Development in consultation with local authorities.

Media contact: Paul Plowman (09) 222 9595