Warren-Blackwood Rural Strategy MINISTER’S FOREWORD
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Prepared by Department for Planning and Infrastructure Published by August 2004 Cover photos courtesy: 1. Western Australian Planning Commission. 2. Western Australian Planning Commission. 1 3 3. Water and Rivers Commission. 4 4. Nicci Tsernjavski, CALM. 5 5. Western Australian Planning Commission. 2 Graphic divider photos courtesy: page 1. Peter Tille, Agriculture Western Australia. page 27. Richard Moore, CALM. page 95. Caroline Hatherly, Agriculture Western Australia. page 99. Roger Hearn, CALM. page 109. Peter Tille, Agriculture Western Australia. Disclaimer This document has been prepared by the Western Australian Planning Commission.Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith and on the basis that the Government, its employees and agents are not liable for any damage or loss whatsoever which may occur as a result of action taken or not taken (as the case may be) in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to herein. Professional advice should be obtained before applying the information contained in this document to particular circumstances. © State of Western Australia Published by the Western Australian Planning Commission Albert Facey House 469 Wellington Street Perth,Western Australia 6000 Published August 2004 ISBN 0 7309 9570 8 Internet: http://www.planning.wa.gov.au email: [email protected] Tel: (08) 9264 7777 Fax: (08) 9264 7566 TTY: (08) 9264 7535 Infoline:1800 626 477 Copies of this document are available in alternative formats on application to the Disability Services Co-ordinator Western Australian Planning Commission owns all photography in this document unless otherwise stated. ii Warren-Blackwood Rural Strategy MINISTER’S FOREWORD The Warren-Blackwood Region is a rich and diverse area; in many ways it is a regional icon of the State. It is renowned for its high karri forests, diversity of vegetation, the remote south coast, and its topography and landscape variety. The area is highly productive in terms of agriculture, forestry and mining and has been a main contributor to the development of the State’s economy. These natural assets and its close proximity to the Perth metropolitan area have also made it a popular tourism and recreation destination, with it being increasingly recognised as a desirable place to live. The natural and developed advantages of the region need to be conserved and enhanced to maximise the opportunities for current and future generations. There is a wide range of land and water management issues confronting the region. Although no particular issue alone is regarded as critical at this stage, it is important that resources are managed carefully to arrest and reverse any trends of degradation. This Strategy is one of the first regional planning documents to embrace the principles of sustainability at its foundation. It aims to provide the best balance between social, environmental and economic factors. In particular, it has brought together the natural resources themes of land, water and biodiversity, emphasising their interdependence and the need to consider each in relation to development and land use outcomes. The fourth theme of the coast is also integrated in the Strategy framework. The Strategy has been developed with a detailed level of ongoing public consultation and community input. Specific consultation exercises on the main issues and draft strategy were successful with the outcomes modified to represent a position supported by the community. The level of community ownership that has resulted is the key to its sustainability. The Strategy introduces new concepts of natural resources management into rural land use planning and provides opportunities for sustainable development in accordance with community-established targets and best management practices. It promotes a concept of responsible land management above regulation and land use control, a system that can continue to evolve with changes in agriculture and environmental targets. In releasing this Strategy, I would like to acknowledge and thank the study management group members for their efforts and dedication over the three years of its development, and the technical advisory group which provided essential support. Most importantly, I thank the community for its valuable contribution of knowledge and ideas to the Strategy which is a tribute to the efforts of all parties. I commend this Strategy to the community of the Warren-Blackwood Region and look forward to your continued involvement in its implementation for your benefit. Alannah MacTiernan MLA Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Warren-Blackwood Rural Strategy iii CONTENTS MINISTER’S FOREWORD . iii SUMMARY . vii SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . xi PART 1 - BACKGROUND . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 3 1.1 The Warren-Blackwood Region . 3 1.2 Warren-Blackwood Regional Planning Strategy . 3 1.3 Warren-Blackwood Rural Strategy . 4 1.4 Study Process and Public Consultation . 4 1.5 Study Management . 5 1.6 Responsibilities with the Strategy . 6 2.0 PLANNING CONTEXT . 7 2.1 Government Policies . 7 2.2 State Sustainability Strategy . 7 2.3 State Planning Strategy . 7 2.4 Regional Development Policy . 8 2.5 Statement of Planning Policy No. 2.5 . 8 2.6 Natural Resources Management Policy . 9 2.7 Natural Heritage Trust Objectives . 9 2.8 South West Catchments Council Strategy . 10 2.9 State Salinity Strategy . 10 2.10 Blackwood Basin Group Strategies . 11 2.11 Other Resource-Protection Initiatives . 11 2.12 Local Planning Strategies . 11 3.0 EXISTING RESOURCES AND IMPLICATIONS . 13 3.1 Physical Description . 13 3.2 Demographics . 15 3.3 Urban Development . 16 3.4 Regional Economy . 16 3.5 Land Resources . 18 3.6 Water Resources . 19 3.7 Biodiversity Resources . 21 3.8 Coastal Resources . 22 3.9 Land Tenure and Land Use . 23 3.10 Transport Network . 24 PART 2 - THE RURAL STRATEGY . 27 4.0 VISION AND PRINCIPLES OF THE STRATEGY . 29 4.1 A Rural Vision for the Region . 29 4.2 Objective of the Strategy . 29 4.3 Sustainability . 29 4.4 Natural Resources Management Principles and Planning . 29 4.5 Other Natural Resources Management Initiatives . 30 4.6 Balance . 30 4.7 Economic Development . 30 4.8 Environmental Protection . 30 4.9 Social Opportunity . 31 4.10 Diversification/Intensification . 31 4.11 Protecting Productive Capacity . 31 4.12 Efficiency and Effectiveness . 31 4.13 Fairness and Equity . 31 4.14 Community Ownership . 31 4.15 Education and Awareness . ..