❓ Hon Giz Watson raises concerns about remnant bushland rezoning during the Directions 2031 strategic assessment. Hon Helen Morton declines a moratorium, citing existing protections and assessment processes.
AnsweredQoN 1019Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DIRECTIONS 2031 — REMNANT BUSHLAND CONSERVATION
I refer to the strategic assessment of the matters of national environmental significance plan being prepared in conjunction with the “Directions 2031: Draft Spatial Framework for Perth and Peel” report. (1) Will the minister ensure there is a moratorium on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted? (2) If no to (1), how will the minister ensure that there is not a rush of rezoning that would pre-empt the protection of the remnant bushland containing matters of national environmental significance? Hon HELEN MORTON
I refer to the strategic assessment of the matters of national environmental significance plan being prepared in conjunction with the “Directions 2031: Draft Spatial Framework for Perth and Peel” report. (1) Will the minister ensure there is a moratorium on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted? (2) If no to (1), how will the minister ensure that there is not a rush of rezoning that would pre-empt the protection of the remnant bushland containing matters of national environmental significance? Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(1) Will the minister ensure there is a moratorium on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted? (2) If no to (1), how will the minister ensure that there is not a rush of rezoning that would pre-empt the protection of the remnant bushland containing matters of national environmental significance? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(2) If no to (1), how will the minister ensure that there is not a rush of rezoning that would pre-empt the protection of the remnant bushland containing matters of national environmental significance? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(1) Will the minister ensure there is a moratorium on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted? (2) If no to (1), how will the minister ensure that there is not a rush of rezoning that would pre-empt the protection of the remnant bushland containing matters of national environmental significance? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(2) If no to (1), how will the minister ensure that there is not a rush of rezoning that would pre-empt the protection of the remnant bushland containing matters of national environmental significance? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(1) No moratorium will be put in place on the rezoning of remnant bushland in the Perth and Peel regions while the strategic assessment is conducted. The across-government process being undertaken for the matters of national environmental significance plan—the MNES plan—is intended to ensure that the strategic assessment and sub-regional structure plans are developed in a consistent and informed manner. The MNES plan will be released for public comment towards the end of 2012. Given the time frame required to adequately undertake a strategic assessment for the Perth and Peel regions, it is not considered appropriate for the strategic assessment to delay interim planning decisions. (2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
(2) Considerable areas of regionally significant bushland are already protected through the conservation reserve system and Bush Forever. Any proposal for rezoning of remnant bushland not within the reserve system or a Bush Forever area will still have to follow due planning process whereby environmental issues are given due regard. Under division 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, proposed scheme amendments are required to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority. Under section 48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, any rezoning proposal—scheme amendments—are referred to the EPA for the determination of the level of assessment required. All development proposals that impact on matters of national environmental significance need to be referred to the Australian government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment.
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