Text may be used as quotes attributed to Mr Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman WAPC
The WAPC and Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) are planning for the future of Greater Bunbury, in response to the sustained growth of the region and the recently introduced Greater Bunbury Region Scheme.
Strategic plans will identify new urban areas, employment areas, transport links, servicing requirements the retention of important agricultural areas. The plans will also address environmental protection, regional open space and the impacts of climate change on Greater Bunbury.
The work will complement the current work on the Greater Bunbury commercial centres strategy and lead to a new structure plan for Greater Bunbury.
Greater Bunbury includes the City of Bunbury and shires of Harvey, Dardanup and Capel. It stretches from Lake Preston in the north to Peppermint Beach in the south, and extends eastwards beyond the Darling Scarp.
While this work is progressing, proposals for amendments to the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme to allow new greenfield residential development will be deferred until guidance can be provided by the new Greater Bunbury structure plan.
For the shires of Capel, Dardanup and Harvey, the WAPC has adopted an interim policy position to support local planning strategies that propose consolidation of existing townsites. The WAPC will not support plans for new residential areas in land that is currently rural.
There will be extensive community consultation during the strategic planning process.
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Media contact: Natasha Farrell (08) 9264 7518 / 0408 955 604