❓ Mr. Alban inquired about the government's protection of the Swan Valley following the release of a new development plan. The Minister outlined the plan's key aspects, including enhanced aesthetic controls and support for agricultural tourism.
AnsweredQoN 869Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SWAN VALLEY — DEVELOPMENT PLAN
869. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the
Minister for Planning:
I was pleased to see the release last Friday of a new plan
for the Swan Valley. Could the minister please update the house on how the
government is protecting this important area?
869. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the
Minister for Planning:
I was pleased to see the release last Friday of a new plan
for the Swan Valley. Could the minister please update the house on how the
government is protecting this important area?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question. I think all members here would share the view that the Swan
Valley is a very important part of the Perth metropolitan area, particularly
for its agricultural production, tourism, heritage values and history, both
Aboriginal and post-European settlement, and that it is essential to protect
and enhance the character of the Swan Valley to ensure appropriate development
in the future. I think there is also quite a general view these days that
although we have had quite strong protections as a result of the Swan Valley
Planning Act, which was introduced 20 years ago by the then coalition
government in relation to residential subdivision, we can and need to do a lot
better on the aesthetic and designs aspects of some of the buildings, signage
and other development aspects in the Swan Valley. The area attracts more than
600 000 visitors a year and contributes more than $200 million annually to the
Western Australian economy, so it is very important from that point of view. It
is only about half an hour, and less in some parts, from the CBD and is
certainly a wonderful place for people who live there and for those people who
visit.
Over the last three
years or so a process has been underway to review the planning arrangements in
the Swan Valley. I will not go over all of the steps that have been taken, but
we have now, I am pleased to say, got to the point of putting out for public
comment the draft ''Swan Valley Development Plan 2015''. This was
put out for comment last Friday and is open for public comment until 15 December
this year. A lot of work has been put into developing this plan within the
Department of Planning, involving consultation with the relevant stakeholders,
but there can now be the formal public comment period and input from all those
with an interest, both those within the Swan Valley and more widely. In brief,
the development plan is intended to be the new statutory plan that will guide
all proposed development in the area. It will replace the current planning
arrangements. Some of the key aspects include a modest expansion of Herne Hill
into a town centre servicing the Swan Valley. It also provides for four
separate tourism nodes that will provide a focal point for a range of more
intensive tourism activities. There will be a focus on tourism proposals that
support agricultural enterprises. There will be measures to protect
agricultural land from subdivision, and there will also be much stronger
direction on the architectural character, building material, signage and landscaping
for new development. Legislation is also being drafted to give effect to this
Swan Valley development plan that will replace the Swan Valley Planning Act.
Once that act is repealed, it will mean that we will no longer need the Swan
Valley Planning Committee and more contemporary planning arrangements and
controls will be put in place, subject to the very strong protections contained
within the ''Swan Valley Development Plan'', which I hope will be
finalised next year. I encourage anybody with an interest to make comment
during the next two months.
for the question. I think all members here would share the view that the Swan
Valley is a very important part of the Perth metropolitan area, particularly
for its agricultural production, tourism, heritage values and history, both
Aboriginal and post-European settlement, and that it is essential to protect
and enhance the character of the Swan Valley to ensure appropriate development
in the future. I think there is also quite a general view these days that
although we have had quite strong protections as a result of the Swan Valley
Planning Act, which was introduced 20 years ago by the then coalition
government in relation to residential subdivision, we can and need to do a lot
better on the aesthetic and designs aspects of some of the buildings, signage
and other development aspects in the Swan Valley. The area attracts more than
600 000 visitors a year and contributes more than $200 million annually to the
Western Australian economy, so it is very important from that point of view. It
is only about half an hour, and less in some parts, from the CBD and is
certainly a wonderful place for people who live there and for those people who
visit.
Over the last three
years or so a process has been underway to review the planning arrangements in
the Swan Valley. I will not go over all of the steps that have been taken, but
we have now, I am pleased to say, got to the point of putting out for public
comment the draft ''Swan Valley Development Plan 2015''. This was
put out for comment last Friday and is open for public comment until 15 December
this year. A lot of work has been put into developing this plan within the
Department of Planning, involving consultation with the relevant stakeholders,
but there can now be the formal public comment period and input from all those
with an interest, both those within the Swan Valley and more widely. In brief,
the development plan is intended to be the new statutory plan that will guide
all proposed development in the area. It will replace the current planning
arrangements. Some of the key aspects include a modest expansion of Herne Hill
into a town centre servicing the Swan Valley. It also provides for four
separate tourism nodes that will provide a focal point for a range of more
intensive tourism activities. There will be a focus on tourism proposals that
support agricultural enterprises. There will be measures to protect
agricultural land from subdivision, and there will also be much stronger
direction on the architectural character, building material, signage and landscaping
for new development. Legislation is also being drafted to give effect to this
Swan Valley development plan that will replace the Swan Valley Planning Act.
Once that act is repealed, it will mean that we will no longer need the Swan
Valley Planning Committee and more contemporary planning arrangements and
controls will be put in place, subject to the very strong protections contained
within the ''Swan Valley Development Plan'', which I hope will be
finalised next year. I encourage anybody with an interest to make comment
during the next two months.
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