Release of Bunbury-Wellington Region plan

November 10, 1995

The State Government has released a plan to manage rapid growth and change occurring in the heart of the South-West.

Planning Minister Richard Lewis today launched the Bunbury-Wellington Region Plan, which provides a strategic framework for the development of the area over the next 20 years.

Mr Lewis said the plan established common priorities across all levels of government and the community and set out clear guidelines for land use in the region, which consisted of the City of Bunbury and the Shires of Capel, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Collie and Harvey.

"The South-West is growing faster than any region outside the Perth metropolitan area and the Government recognises the need to protect the identity of the area with careful forward planning," he said.

More than 108,000 people are expected to live in the Bunbury-Wellington region by the year 2011, while the population of Greater Bunbury is forecast to almost double to 63,680.

Mr Lewis said the plan reinforced Bunbury as the focal point for the region, especially in terms of commercial, administrative and transport services.

"The importance of Greater Bunbury to the region called for the preparation of a separate structure plan for the area to identify relevant planning policies and guidelines," he said.

"The structure plan sets aside suitable land for significant residential expansion, industry, major transport links to the port and conservation and recreation areas."

The plan advocates the establishment of a separate service corridor to the Bunbury port, incorporating a heavy haulage route and a strengthening of the city's role as the regional commercial focus.

Urban development strategies will ensure that adequate land with full services and infrastructure will be available ahead of demand within Greater Bunbury and each of the major and minor towns of the region.

Mr Lewis said the lower west coast would become a focus of urban development as a major alternative to Perth and much of that growth would be centred on Greater Bunbury and the Bunbury-Wellington region.

"The region's mild climate and its diverse natural features have proved attractive since the days of early settlement in this State," he said.

"Almost 1,300 hectares (11,700 lots) of housing land have been identified in the region, including the provision of more than 1,000 hectares (9,000 lots) in the Greater Bunbury area, which provide a choice of locations, housing types, lot sizes and price ranges, along with urban renewal and residential infill.

"Guidelines for rural land use will help protect the region's rivers and estuaries from degradation."

The release of the region plan, which makes more than 300 recommendations, follows widespread public consultation and close liaison with local government authorities and other State Government agencies over a period of five years.

The Minister said the Bunbury-Wellington Regional Planning Study was the most comprehensive and complex planning exercise ever conducted outside the Perth metropolitan region.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 221 1377 or 222 9595