❓ Hon. Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Planning regarding a significant reduction in environmental impact assessments of planning schemes and the relevance of planning schemes given the introduction of the state development assessment unit. The Minister responds, attributing fluctuations to local government and industry activity and affirming the importance of planning schemes.
AnsweredQoN 1105Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PLANNING —
SCHEMES — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
1105. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the minister representing the
Minister for Planning:
I refer to information provided by
the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on the number of
environmental impact assessments of planning schemes and scheme amendments
referred under section 48 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, noting
there has been a steady decline in the number of schemes referred—from
230 schemes in 2016–17 to 76 schemes in 2022–23.
(1) Why has there been such a significant
reduction in schemes being referred?
(2) How many
schemes currently rest with the Minister for Planning and the Western Australian
Planning Commission for finalisation?
(3) Noting the
introduction of the state development assessment unit, which allows
developments that do not comply with planning schemes to be approved, is it the
intent that the minister not support the update of planning schemes because
they are now irrelevant to the Cook Labor government?
SCHEMES — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
1105. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the minister representing the
Minister for Planning:
I refer to information provided by
the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on the number of
environmental impact assessments of planning schemes and scheme amendments
referred under section 48 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, noting
there has been a steady decline in the number of schemes referred—from
230 schemes in 2016–17 to 76 schemes in 2022–23.
(1) Why has there been such a significant
reduction in schemes being referred?
(2) How many
schemes currently rest with the Minister for Planning and the Western Australian
Planning Commission for finalisation?
(3) Noting the
introduction of the state development assessment unit, which allows
developments that do not comply with planning schemes to be approved, is it the
intent that the minister not support the update of planning schemes because
they are now irrelevant to the Cook Labor government?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following response has been provided by the
Minister for Planning.
(1) All schemes and scheme amendments are referred to
the Environmental Protection Authority in accordance with the Planning
and Development Act 2005. The volume each year fluctuates, depending on local
government and industry activity.
(2) As of 20 September
2023, 10 local planning scheme or scheme amendments are currently with the
Minister for Planning or the Western Australian Planning Commission for
finalisation.
(3) When
determining development applications under part 17 of the Planning Development
Act 2005, the Western Australian Planning Commission is required to have due
regard to, among other matters, the purpose and intent of a local planning
scheme.
some notice of the question. The following response has been provided by the
Minister for Planning.
(1) All schemes and scheme amendments are referred to
the Environmental Protection Authority in accordance with the Planning
and Development Act 2005. The volume each year fluctuates, depending on local
government and industry activity.
(2) As of 20 September
2023, 10 local planning scheme or scheme amendments are currently with the
Minister for Planning or the Western Australian Planning Commission for
finalisation.
(3) When
determining development applications under part 17 of the Planning Development
Act 2005, the Western Australian Planning Commission is required to have due
regard to, among other matters, the purpose and intent of a local planning
scheme.
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