❓ Question regarding the Department of Planning and WA Planning Commission's role in land use and growth around the proposed Forrestfield-Airport Link train stations. The Minister outlines the department's lead role in strategic planning for transit-oriented development, focusing on higher-density residential and mixed-use developments.
AnsweredQoN 547Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FORRESTFIELD–AIRPORT
LINK — DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING'S ROLE
547. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the Minister for
Planning:
Following the Minister for Transport's
update to the house on the Forrestfield–Belmont–airport link,
can the minister please advise the house on the role the Department of Planning
and the WA Planning Commission will play to ensure that appropriate land use
and growth occurs around the proposed train stations along the line?
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Thank God you're involved, at least!
LINK — DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING'S ROLE
547. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the Minister for
Planning:
Following the Minister for Transport's
update to the house on the Forrestfield–Belmont–airport link,
can the minister please advise the house on the role the Department of Planning
and the WA Planning Commission will play to ensure that appropriate land use
and growth occurs around the proposed train stations along the line?
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Thank God you're involved, at least!
AnswerView source ↗
I am pleased to have the expression of confidence. I thank
the member for the question. Obviously from her electorate's point of
view, she has a very strong interest in this project, which is obviously very
important to not only expanding public transport in the eastern suburban area,
but also the potential for urban development above the underground stations
that will exist, in particular at the Airport West site and in the Forrestfield–High
Wycombe site at the eastern end of the rail link. I am pleased to advise that
the WA Planning Commission through the Department of Planning will be the lead
agency to ensure that the strategic planning around those proposed stations
occurs in a manner reflective of modern transit-oriented development
principles. In particular, we are seeking to achieve the provision of
higher-residential densities and mixed-use developments within walking distance
of the stations; high-quality, diverse and affordable forms of housing and
developments; and increased employment opportunities. Obviously, employment
opportunities will ultimately arise from the businesses that will be
established around those two stations, but another important aspect that should
not be lost on the opposition is the employment-generating aspects of projects
like this and Elizabeth Quay —
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the second time.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : It
finally seems to have dawned upon the opposition that with the downturn in
construction in the resources sector, and therefore the availability of more
people to be employed in Western Australia, there is a need to provide those
employment opportunities, and that projects such as this rail link, Elizabeth
Quay, Perth City link and others are extremely important to ensure that we do
not have excessive levels of unemployment in Western Australia. Projects such
as this, together with the other projects I mentioned, obviously create
thousands of direct jobs. As some of the more economically educated people in
the opposition would understand, there is a strong multiplier effect as well
through indirect employment opportunities that ensure that unemployment levels
do not rise excessively in Western Australia. That aspect should not be
overlooked in relation to these projects, together with the obvious public
transport and urban development benefits.
To conclude, I am pleased to advise
that the Shire of Kalamunda, in relation to the Forrestfield station, which is
within the Shire of Kalamunda, and the City of Belmont are both working with
the Department of Planning and the Planning Commission to develop the
opportunities that arise with development above ground and around those
stations. We will see two very substantial developments aboveground,
particularly residential development and mixed-use development at the Airport
West site and around the Forrestfield station. The Forrestfield station is
close to the freight rail line, which needs to be taken into account, but it
will provide for substantial business development opportunities, and, at a
little further distance from the station, substantial residential development
opportunities as well.
the member for the question. Obviously from her electorate's point of
view, she has a very strong interest in this project, which is obviously very
important to not only expanding public transport in the eastern suburban area,
but also the potential for urban development above the underground stations
that will exist, in particular at the Airport West site and in the Forrestfield–High
Wycombe site at the eastern end of the rail link. I am pleased to advise that
the WA Planning Commission through the Department of Planning will be the lead
agency to ensure that the strategic planning around those proposed stations
occurs in a manner reflective of modern transit-oriented development
principles. In particular, we are seeking to achieve the provision of
higher-residential densities and mixed-use developments within walking distance
of the stations; high-quality, diverse and affordable forms of housing and
developments; and increased employment opportunities. Obviously, employment
opportunities will ultimately arise from the businesses that will be
established around those two stations, but another important aspect that should
not be lost on the opposition is the employment-generating aspects of projects
like this and Elizabeth Quay —
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the second time.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : It
finally seems to have dawned upon the opposition that with the downturn in
construction in the resources sector, and therefore the availability of more
people to be employed in Western Australia, there is a need to provide those
employment opportunities, and that projects such as this rail link, Elizabeth
Quay, Perth City link and others are extremely important to ensure that we do
not have excessive levels of unemployment in Western Australia. Projects such
as this, together with the other projects I mentioned, obviously create
thousands of direct jobs. As some of the more economically educated people in
the opposition would understand, there is a strong multiplier effect as well
through indirect employment opportunities that ensure that unemployment levels
do not rise excessively in Western Australia. That aspect should not be
overlooked in relation to these projects, together with the obvious public
transport and urban development benefits.
To conclude, I am pleased to advise
that the Shire of Kalamunda, in relation to the Forrestfield station, which is
within the Shire of Kalamunda, and the City of Belmont are both working with
the Department of Planning and the Planning Commission to develop the
opportunities that arise with development above ground and around those
stations. We will see two very substantial developments aboveground,
particularly residential development and mixed-use development at the Airport
West site and around the Forrestfield station. The Forrestfield station is
close to the freight rail line, which needs to be taken into account, but it
will provide for substantial business development opportunities, and, at a
little further distance from the station, substantial residential development
opportunities as well.
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