The State Government has released for public comment plans to formalise a Protection Area around one of Western Australia's most important industrial areas.

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett has today released a draft of the Planning and Development Legislation Amendment (Western Trade Coast Protection Area) Bill 2015, saying it would resolve ongoing uncertainties for land owners and industry.

"This bill is intended to provide certainty for land use planning around the Western Trade Coast industrial area, which is a vital driver for the State's economy employing thousands of people," Mr Barnett said.
 
"It will also protect the Western Trade Coast from encroaching residential development, and help to provide some separation between industrial activities and new sensitive land uses."
 
The proposal has two parts: draft legislation to amend the Hope Valley Wattleup Act 2000 and the Planning and Development Act 2005 to formalise the Protection Area; and proposed regulations to set out classes of prohibited land use with the Protection Area.

Planning Minister John Day said a buffer has been contained in planning policy in varied forms since 1992, and was extensively reviewed by the Western Australian Planning Commission prior to endorsement in 2010.
 
"Following consultation, the Western Trade Coast Protection Area will be formalised in legislation," Mr Day said.
 
"The proposed regulations would prevent new sensitive land uses like residential housing, short-stay accommodation, hospitals, schools and child care centres within the Protection Area. However, this proposal would still allow non-sensitive land uses like business and commercial activities, and would only affect new developments rather than existing approved land uses."
 
Interested parties are invited to submit their comments by Friday, December 4, 2015. Submissions from land-owners, businesses and other stakeholders will help to determine the boundaries of the Protection Area and final list of prohibited land uses under the proposed regulations.
 
It is anticipated the final legislation will be introduced into State Parliament in early 2016.


Fact File

• The Western Trade Coast comprises the Kwinana Industrial Area, Rockingham Industry Zone, Latitude 32 Industry Area and the Australian Marine Complex

• The draft legislation and proposed regulations can be viewed via this link.