Plan for new villages near Byford and Mundijong sites finalised

October 24, 1995

The State Government has finalised a proposal to create two new urban communities, capable of housing 60,000 people, close to the existing Byford and Mundijong town sites.

Planning Minister Richard Lewis today tabled in State Parliament a major amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme which proposed the rezoning of 2,687 hectares of rural land for urban use.

Mr Lewis said the two villages would be made up of smaller neighbourhoods of about 5,000 people, supported by primary schools, local shops and offices and community facilities.

"The amendment will guarantee future housing land supplies in the area", he said.

The South-East Corridor, south of Armadale Major Amendment, was released for public comment on April 7 and 148 submissions were received from residents, local interest groups, environmental bodies, local government and State Government agencies.

The Minister said the Western Australian Planning Commission evaluated the issues raised and recommended some modifications to the amendment proposals.

"Importantly, rural buffers will separate Byford from Armadale and Mundijong and help preserve the area's rural character," he said.

"The importance of the trotting complex at Byford has been recognised and the associated land will remain rural."

Mr Lewis said the proposed amendment reserved 419 hectares of land for parks and recreation at a number of locations including Whitby Falls, Serpentine National Park and Darling Range Regional Park.

"As part of its major amendment program, introduced in 1993, the State Government has now set aside more than 12,500 hectares of housing land in the MRS which will accommodate around 114,000 home sites," he said.

"The success of the major amendment program will ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable housing land in the Perth metropolitan area in years to come."

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 221 1377 or 222 9595