CockburnCoast - Western Australian Planning Commission

CockburnCoast
2.12.5 Contaminated sites
The Cockburn coast's industrial history has resulted in the
contamination of land and groundwater. A preliminary assessment
based on historical and Government records, aerial photography
and previous site investigations (limited to a relatively small number
of properties) has identified known contaminated sites,
contaminated sites that have been remediated to some extent and
potential contaminated sites.
Historically the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has
managed contaminated land and groundwater through the
placement of conditions on approval under planning law and the
Environmental Protection Act 1986 (Part IV - Environmental Impact
Assessment).
These conditions have required specific actions, or for particular
stages in the planning process, the development of site
contamination investigation and management plans, and site
remediation and validation reports.
The Contaminated Sites Act 2003 is now the main mechanism for
identifying and managing known and suspected contaminated
sites. The planning process remains however, the most effective
mechanism for the identification and subsequent management of
unknown contaminated sites. In essence, the land use planning
process operates in parallel to the Contaminated Sites Act 2003.
With the introduction of the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, the
likelihood of formal environmental impact assessment by the EPA for
the contamination can be minimised through the provision of
sufficient information in the supporting documentation at the MRS
amendment stage to demonstrate that the issue can be managed
by the planning approval process.
As a strategic planning document, the district structure plan has:
• Identified local issues relevant to the contamination, such
as the location of proposed sensitive receptors (residential
development, schools);
• Where advantageous, strategically designated areas of
known contamination as less sensitive land uses (although
a comprehensive site investigation will still be required by
these property owners);
• Identified a process for dealing with the contamination
issues at subsequent stages of the planning (e.g. scheme
provisions, local policies); and
• Established procedures to ensure that the potential for
contamination on site and on land surrounding the
development has been considered.
The district structure plan will be supported by an amendment to the
MRS. As a minimum, this process will require for sites to be subject
to investigation for soil and groundwater contamination prior to the
commencement of site works, in accordance with the requirements
of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).
Where required, remediation, including validation of remediation of
any contamination identified, shall be completed to the satisfaction
of the WAPC/or other relevant auhority, on advice from DEC. A
Mandatory Auditor’s Report, prepared by an accredited auditor, will
need to be submitted to the DEC as part of the conditions being
placed on the subdivisioon or development.
2.12.6 Noise and vibration management
A noise and vibration study should be carried out to determine the
noise levels, likely setback and/or noise mitigation techniques
required to develop the site for residential purposes adjacent to or
near the freight rail line and the proposed Cockburn Coast Drive.
This assessment should be undertaken to guide the development of
local structure plans in affected areas and made available to
individual landowners to guide development.
Asessment and mitigation strategies will need to be considered in
local structure planning and the development of built form
guidelines, with conditions applied at the subdivision and
development stage.
2.12.7 Coastal planning
The Cockburn coast district structure plan area include 2.3
kilometres if foreshore, extending from the Island Street groyne to
the northern Port Coogee breakwater. Consideration for physical
coastal processes, coastal use and management of the adjacent
foreshore areas have been a key component in the development of
the structure plan.
2.12.7.1 Coastal processes setback
A physical processes setback line has been established for the
length of coast within this location, in accordance with the
requirements of State Planning Policy 2.6 - State Coastal Planning
Policy, as shown on the district structure plan (see Figure 2.1).
In calculating the setback line, consideration has been given to:
• Response of the shoreline to an extreme storm sequence
(S1);
• Allowance for chronic erosion (S2); and
• Allowance for sea level rise (S3).
Historic coastal works and previously approved setback lines, such
as for the ANI Bradken site, have been included in the calculation.
For further information on the establishment of the setback line,
please refer to the Coastal Processes Assessment Report in the
Appendix.
2.12.7.2 Coastal planning strategy
A key initiative to planning for the Cockburn coastline is the adoption
of a ‘coastal node’ approach to providing recreational areas for local
and regional coastal users. South Beach, Port Coogee, Coogee
Beach and Woodman Point nodes are a connected network of
regional, district and local recreational nodes which provide the
coastal user with a diverse choice of passive and active recreational
opportunities.
The planning and revitalisation of former industrial land at South
Beach and Port Coogee, and now Cockburn coast, brings into focus
the challenge of managing the foreshore reserve in response to
increasing numbers of people, locally and regionally, seeking to use
the coastline for a range of new experiences and recreational
activities.
Increased demand for beach usage associated with urban
development and improved access to the foreshore requires a
specific management plan to address the social and recreational
needs of both local and regional beach users, while respecting and
safeguarding the cultural and environmental integrity of the
foreshore.
44 district structure plan