The State Government is considering potential future land use and zoning for the western section of the land corridor originally reserved for the Roe Highway extension.
On 7 July 2023, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) started public consultation on an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) relating to re-zoning Roe Highway Primary Regional Roads reserve in Hamilton Hill, Coolbellup and Bibra Lake.
A copy of the proposed amendment (MRS Amendment 1404/41) can be found on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s website.
Cockburn Council’s decision (September 2023) supported the State Government amendment with a number of recommended changes. One key recommendation by Cockburn Council was to include an east-west ‘green link’. You can read more in the Council minutes (item 14.1.2) from 14 September 2023.
The City’s local planning scheme will also need to be changed to reflect the MRS intent.
The MRS Amendment was considered by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) at its meeting on Wednesday 17 January 2024.
A copy of the agenda and minutes (including a summary of the deputations made) can be sourced directly from the Western Australian Planning Commission Agenda and Minutes page of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
Following WAPC consideration, the MRS Amendment was referred to the Minister for Planning and remains under consideration by Government.
Questions about the MRS amendment should be directed to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage on 6551 8002 or [email protected]
Next steps
Local planning scheme amendment/zoning
At the December 2023 Council meeting the Council resolved to initiate an amendment to the City’s local planning scheme (TPS3) to reflect the proposed MRS amendment (Council Meeting - Minutes 14 December 2023).
The scheme amendment proposes:
- Replacing the current Roe Highway reservation with a Development zone, which will require the preparation of a local structure plan prior to any subdivision or development occurring.
- Outlining the area for which a local structure plan would be required
- Introducing a special control area, which will require the structure plan to provide for:
- a green (ecological) link from the east to the west;
- appropriate education, recreation and local commercial areas;
- an appropriate mix of residential densities; and
- local road linkages
The scheme amendment will require the State government’s permission to publicly advertise the amendment (Environmental Protection Authority, WAPC and Minister for Planning).
The Council has also re-iterated to the State government that a lead agency (such as DevelopmentWA) be appointed to prepare the local structure plan for the area.
The City will continue to advocate for the community in respect to the future development of the area.
As of the 18 April 2024, the City is still waiting on a decision by the Minister for Planning on whether the Amendment can be advertised as initiated or in a modified form.
Structure Plan - more detailed planning
This Local Planning Scheme Amendment is not a structure plan. A structure plan provides more detail such as where housing or parks are to be located and key road links. This will happen later and will take time. Read more about this process here.
This process is typically instigated by submission of a draft proposal by the landowner (or a consultant engaged on their behalf).
A number of different State Government Agencies, including Main Roads Western Australia, the Western Australian Planning Commission and Department of Communities, collectively own the majority of the existing corridor.
Questions about the local planning scheme and structure plan processes can be directed to the City on 08 9411 3444 or [email protected]