Whiteman Park to expand

25/11/03
Today, the State Government advertised an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme that will result in Whiteman Park growing to nine times the size of Kings Park.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said more than 1,000ha of rural land would be rezoned parks and recreation and added to the existing western boundary of the park.
"The proposed new zoning of 1,081ha is covered in native vegetation, of which approximately 500ha has been identified in Bush Forever as regionally significant," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The land has also been identified as being a high priority for protection, due to potential contamination of the Gnangara Groundwater Mound.
"It is these conservation values that underlie the recommendation that this land be rezoned parks and recreation and included within Whiteman Park.
"Other proposals in the amendment include the rezoning of 331ha of degraded land from 'rural' to 'urban' and tidying-up road reserves surrounding the park.
"The land identified for rezoning to urban, situated on the northern edge of Marshall Road, has been degraded through clearing and farming practices and has little or no conservation value, while being surplus to the park's requirements.
"Funds generated from the sale of the urban land will be used for the conservation and development of the newly expanded park and other necessary infrastructure improvements in the region.
"The changes to road reservations will effectively complete the regional road network in this area by directly connecting Hepburn Avenue to Tonkin Highway, by realigning Tonkin Highway north of Marshall Road.
"Land no longer required for Tonkin Highway, following the realignment of Hepburn Avenue will be rezoned rural."
The amendment has been released by the Western Australian Planning Commission for public comment until Friday, March 5, 2004.
The amendment is available from the WAPC's Internet site: http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au
Minister's office: 9213 6400