ANSTEY–KEANE
DAMPLAND — BUSH FOREVER SITE
538. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Planning:
I refer to the Bush Forever policy, introduced in 2000.
(1) Can the minister advise when
statutory protection for Bush Forever sites might happen?
(2) Is the
minister aware that the Environmental Protection Authority has released
guidelines recommending infrastructure including roads should not proceed
through large consolidated naturally vegetated sites such as Bush Forever site 342,
Anstey–Keane dampland?
(3) Will the
department oppose the development of infrastructure through urban remnants such
as Bush Forever sites, as per the EPA guidelines outlined in ''Environmental
Protection Bulletin No. 20: Protection of naturally vegetated areas through
planning and development''?
Hon HELEN MORTON
replied:
I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) ''State
Planning Policy 2.8: Bushland Policy for the Perth Metropolitan Region''
provides a policy and implementation framework that ensures bushland protection
and management issues in the Perth metropolitan region are appropriately
addressed and integrated with broader land-use planning and decision-making.
This is the principal planning policy governing the consideration of Bush
Forever sites in the metropolitan area and sets differing policy measures for
Bush Forever areas according to their zoning.
(2) The Department of Planning is aware of the guidelines.
(3) The
Department of Planning assesses all proposals in accordance with relevant
environmental and planning policies. The proposal for the development of Keane
Road through Anstey–Keane dampland is currently before the
Environmental Protection Authority for consideration. The Minister for
Environment will make a determination on this proposal in accordance with
environmental legislation and policies. If the Minister for Environment
determines the proposal is environmentally acceptable to proceed, the City of
Armadale is the decision-making authority for the development approval under
the Planning and Development Act 2005 as the works constitute public works
under section 6 of that act.