Planning Minister John Day today released a broad planning framework to guide the South-West region’s development over the next 20 years.
“The South-West has undergone a rapid and sustained change to the makeup of its population and economy in recent decades, with significant population growth predicted for the region in the next two decades,” Mr Day said.
“The South-West Framework provides a big-picture view of the region’s future, focusing on its major challenges and the prime opportunities to ensure growth and development are achieved in a way that improves people’s lives and enhances the region’s unique character and environment.
“The framework addresses the scale and distribution of future population growth, environmental issues, transport, infrastructure, water resources, agriculture, tourism and the emerging impacts of climate change.
“It will also inform investment decisions by the public and private sectors.
“The framework contains eight important themes, expands on key principles outlined in the State Planning Strategy, including planning for sustainable land use and development, and brings together many policies specific to the South-West.
“It will guide the preparation of local planning strategies in an economically diverse region that features a growing population base and developing sectors including manufacturing, mining and tourism.”
The South-West Framework incorporates the City of Bunbury and the shires of Augusta-Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Busselton, Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup and Nannup.
It has been prepared following an extensive public comment period that generated important feedback from local stakeholders and community groups.
The South West Framework can be downloaded from http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/publications or phone 9264 7777.
Minister's office - 9213 6600