❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the WA government's planning policies regarding development in areas prone to natural disasters, referencing a statement by the CEO of Insurance Australia Group. The government outlines existing policies and ongoing reviews.
AnsweredQoN 3999Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the report in
The West Australian
of 12 April 2011, that while speaking at the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia in Sydney, the chief executive of Insurance Australia Group, Mike Wilkins, said development should not be allowed in areas of ‘unacceptable danger’?
(2) Has the Western Australian Government taken steps to identify areas of unacceptable danger?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), what steps have been taken?
(5) Has the Western Australian Government invested in digital elevation mapping, so that those with potential exposure to floods are aware of the risk of building in these areas?
(6) If no to (5), does it intend to make this investment and when?
(7) If yes to (5), please give details.
(8) With reference to Mr Wilkins’ statement that Governments may need to resume land where the risk is extreme and the cost of coverage or other protective action is simply uneconomic, what is the Government’s position in this regard?
(9) Will the Minister initiate changes to planning and zoning laws to help people become more resilient to disasters?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) If yes to (9), what changes are proposed?
The West Australian
of 12 April 2011, that while speaking at the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia in Sydney, the chief executive of Insurance Australia Group, Mike Wilkins, said development should not be allowed in areas of ‘unacceptable danger’?
(2) Has the Western Australian Government taken steps to identify areas of unacceptable danger?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), what steps have been taken?
(5) Has the Western Australian Government invested in digital elevation mapping, so that those with potential exposure to floods are aware of the risk of building in these areas?
(6) If no to (5), does it intend to make this investment and when?
(7) If yes to (5), please give details.
(8) With reference to Mr Wilkins’ statement that Governments may need to resume land where the risk is extreme and the cost of coverage or other protective action is simply uneconomic, what is the Government’s position in this regard?
(9) Will the Minister initiate changes to planning and zoning laws to help people become more resilient to disasters?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) If yes to (9), what changes are proposed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 June 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Planning
Response time
27 days
(1-4) The Government includes planning for natural disasters as a fundamental element in the preparation of all statutory and non-statutory planning documents, specifically town planning schemes and amendments and local planning strategies.
For bush fires, the interim
Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines
provides detailed provisions and requirements to be used by governments to determine those areas that are most vulnerable to bush fire where development should be restricted.
In the case of storm surge susceptibility, studies are required to accompany planning proposals where vulnerability to inundation is evident. Where inundation could occur, storm surge studies need to demonstrate where that inundation may occur and new permanent buildings should be constructed to take account of the effects of storm surge (including wind and wave set-up). The State Coastal Planning Policy (SPP 2.6) also provides assistance in determining appropriate setbacks in coastal locations.
(5-7) The Department of Water is currently custodian of the 1 in 100 (year event) flood map.
(8) Land use planning takes into account the impact of natural hazards and disasters when locating land uses or determining applications for development. Every planning proposal is assessed on its own merits, specific to the development proposal and location, in line with existing planning policy.
(9-11) The Department of Planning is currently reviewing
SPP 2.6 State Coastal Planning Policy
and the
Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines
(ed. 2) and intend to release edition 3 of the guidelines in 2011 on completion of the enquiry into the Roleystone Fires. On completion of the
Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines
,
SPP 3.4 Natural Hazards and Disasters
will be reviewed.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
For bush fires, the interim
Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines
provides detailed provisions and requirements to be used by governments to determine those areas that are most vulnerable to bush fire where development should be restricted.
In the case of storm surge susceptibility, studies are required to accompany planning proposals where vulnerability to inundation is evident. Where inundation could occur, storm surge studies need to demonstrate where that inundation may occur and new permanent buildings should be constructed to take account of the effects of storm surge (including wind and wave set-up). The State Coastal Planning Policy (SPP 2.6) also provides assistance in determining appropriate setbacks in coastal locations.
(5-7) The Department of Water is currently custodian of the 1 in 100 (year event) flood map.
(8) Land use planning takes into account the impact of natural hazards and disasters when locating land uses or determining applications for development. Every planning proposal is assessed on its own merits, specific to the development proposal and location, in line with existing planning policy.
(9-11) The Department of Planning is currently reviewing
SPP 2.6 State Coastal Planning Policy
and the
Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines
(ed. 2) and intend to release edition 3 of the guidelines in 2011 on completion of the enquiry into the Roleystone Fires. On completion of the
Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines
,
SPP 3.4 Natural Hazards and Disasters
will be reviewed.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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