Natural Resource Management Land Use Planning Project
Land use planning is widely recognised as a powerful and flexible tool through which local and state governments can consider and promote natural resource management matters in their decision-making processes. To improve the integration of natural resource management into land use planning, the EnviroPlanning project was developed.
The EnviroPlanning project is a partnership between the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), Department for Planning and Infrastructure and WAPC and is sponsored by the Australian Government and funded through the strategic reserve component of the Natural Heritage Trust.
The primary objective of the EnviroPlanning project is to improve the integration of natural resource management into land use planning, with the delivery focused on local government in consultation with the natural resource management regions, relevant state government departments and interested community organisations.
The major components of EnviroPlanning include:
1 Local Government Partnership Program
EnviroPlanning has provided funding and technical assistance to local governments and other stakeholders to develop new ways to make strategic and statutory land use planning more responsive and effective as a tool for supporting natural resource management. The following case studies provide examples of how the EnviroPlanning project has supported local government and other stakeholders to improve the integration of NRM issues into land use planning.
- Shire of Busselton Local Environmental Planning Strategy
- City of Wanneroo Water Management Strategy
- South East Avon Voluntary Regionalisation of Councils Local Planning Policy for Tree Farming in Low Rainfall Areas
- Geraldton Regional Flora and Vegetation Survey
- Albany Regional Flora and Vegetation Survey
- Environmental Component of the Whitby Mundijong District Structure Plan
- Dawesville to Binningup Strategic Environmental Planning Project
- Land Use Management Plan for the Morseby Ranges
Download the following document for more information on projects that have been supported through the local government partnership program.
EnviroPlanning Local Government Partnership Program
2. Directions Paper
The Directions Paper on the Integration of NRM and Land Use Planning provides a new way forward in achieving natural resource management outcomes through the Western Australian planning system by demonstrating best practice integration of natural resource management into land use planning. This directions paper is the synthesis of work undertaken by the EnviroPlanning project since 2007, and combines the outcomes of workshops, studies, reviews, audits and grant funded programs.
At its meeting 16 December 2008, the WAPC endorsed the key findings and recommendations of the directions paper and requested that it be made available to relevant agencies and key stakeholders with a focus on process improvements. Please find the directions paper at the following link if you have any questions or further comments to make please feel free to contact the named officers.
Directions Paper and Comment Form
3. Land use planning awareness program
The land use planning awareness program involves increasing the awareness and potential to address natural resource management issues in the land use planning system and highlighting opportunities to integrate natural resource management into local government planning strategies, schemes and policies.
In 2008, EnviroPlanning facilitated forums Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Northam and Perth on integrating natural resource management and land use planning. These forums highlighted many issues, opportunities and constraints that EnviroPlanning has included in the directions paper. Further forums are being conducted from March to April 2009 to communicate the key findings and recommendations of the directions paper. A review of each of the six NRM regional strategies has also been undertaken and can be accessed here.
Progress reports
December 2007 (
44 Kb)
September 2007 ( 58 Kb)
EnviroPlanning contacts
- Project Manager: Ryan Taylor 9264 7923
- Senior Project Officer: Ann Noordermeer 9264 7741
- Senior Project Officer (Swan Region): Danielle O’Neill 9264 7847
Links to Natural Resource Management Regional Groups