Future of Perth and Peel mapped out
Landmark plans that define the future shape of Perth and Peel for the next 35 years have been released for public comment.
Planning Minister John Day said ‘Perth and Peel@3.5million’ identified where new homes and jobs could be located for the 3.5 million people who will live in the metropolitan area by 2050.
“While the current population of Perth and Peel is just over two million, an extra 1.5 million people are expected to be living here within 35 years,” Mr Day said.
“The State Government has a plan that will provide certainty and create a more compact, liveable and consolidated city. Perth and Peel@3.5million considers what our city will look like in the future and identifies the most appropriate areas to develop the extra 800,000 new homes needed to accommodate these people.”
The Perth and Peel regions stretch more than 150 kilometres from Two Rocks in the northern suburbs to Bouvard in the south.
The Minister said the current outward sprawl of the city was unsustainable and accommodating a substantial population increase would require a shift in thinking.
“This continued outward growth is placing significant pressure on our resources, infrastructure, services and the natural environment,” he said. “This means almost half the 800,000 new homes we will need in the future must be created through appropriate density and infill.
“Our population density is particularly low, with about 3,500 people per square kilometre, compared with Melbourne at 10,800 and Sydney at 14,700, so we have capacity for greater residential density.
“These draft plans make better use of existing infrastructure by co-locating jobs and homes close to public transport and amenities. Greater density and mixed-use developments in activity centres will also ensure we create a more compact and consolidated Perth and Peel.”
Mr Day said the plans would give people more choice in their housing options; to stay in the suburb they grew up in; to live and work in a preferred suburb and to live in the type of home most suitable for them.
“A house with a backyard will always be an option, however the Government is enabling more housing choices to suit the lifestyle and budget of all West Australians,” he said.
“The draft plans will ensure we maintain and enhance Perth and Peel’s vibrancy and liveability and I encourage everyone to have their say.”
Once finalised, the sub-regional structure plans will be used by State agencies and local governments to guide residential and industrial development and supporting infrastructure.
Fact File
- There are four draft plans covering the North-East, North-West, Central and South Metropolitan Peel sub-regions
- The plans encompass 33 local government areas
- 47% of new homes to be met through infill development, predominantly in the Central sub-region, with 53% through greenfield development
- There is enough zoned land to meet future housing and employment demand with more than 60,000 conditionally approved residential lots and 26,000 hectares of land available for urban development
- The draft plans have been prepared by the Department of Planning on behalf of the WA Planning Commission
- Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, July 31
For more information, visit http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/3_5million