Structure plan for Perth foothills released

Village-style individual communities separated by rural land are proposed for Perth's foothills in a plan released today by Planning Minister David Smith.

"The Foothills Structure Plan provides a comprehensive approach to planning and development in the foothills," Mr Smith said.

"More than 370 community submissions were received and the plan was modified to incorporate some of their ideas.

"The most significant change was the inclusion of the eastern-most portion of the Bushmead rifle range as a landscape protection area."

Mr Smith said the plan included consolidation and expansion of established urban settlements at High Wycombe, Maida Vale and Forrestfield.

Plans for new communities were included in Bushmead-Helena Valley and Wattle Grove, along with new employment areas at Hazelmere and High Wycombe.

The plan also proposed the retention of special rural zones for non-urban purposes to provide rural or open breaks between the urban communities.

"Land along the Helena River will be set aside as a recreation reserve," Mr Smith said.

"It will form part of a system of regional reserves and landscape protection areas extending from Guildford to the Darling Scarp."

Mr Smith emphasised that the structure plan was purely an advisory document.  It did not change the existing status of any land in the foothills.

The plan established broad principles for future development, but it could be changed at any time to take account of opportunities and constraints that emerged.

Copies of the Foothills Structure Plan can be purchased from the Department of Urban Planning and Development, 469 Wellington Street, Perth.