Attachments 11.4 and 11.5 - City of Busselton

LAND inSights
ATTACHMENT A – DRAFT LEPS ITEM 11.5 COUNCIL 12/10/2011
Executive Summary
Development in areas of High or Extreme fire risk is generally not supported under
State policy. Fire management in Western Australia generally requires the reduction of
fuel loads and to reduce the risk of fire to facilitate development, the removal of
vegetation is promoted (WAPC, 2001). While from a fire management perspective this
may be acceptable, clearing of vegetation for fire management will have detrimental
impacts on biodiversity as described above. It is therefore recommended the
management of fire risk in the Shire is not solely dependent on the removal of remnant
vegetation but for new development is also linked to the location of that development.
This may effectively mean that some areas will not be able to be developed further or
areas historically identified for development may not be able to proceed. As discussed
later in this document, in certain areas such as Commonage, alternative and innovative
mechanisms for development could also be considered so as to allow some form of
development but not at the expense of protecting the important remnant vegetation.
• Threatened species
The south-west of WA has been identified as a biodiversity hotspot because of the
variety of endemic plant and animals found in the area. It is important that future
planning decisions do not have a detrimental impact on the biodiversity status of the
Shire. Therefore, future development should avoid areas which contain threatened
species such as DRF, priority flora and threatened fauna. It is also important that if
future development is proposed for an area of remnant vegetation that appropriate
surveys are conducted in order to determine whether significant flora, vegetation and
fauna are present.
• Dieback
The known and potential dieback areas are also associated with areas of native
vegetation. Although some forms of land use are permitted in these areas, it does
pose a major constraint to development and can result in strict management guidelines
being enforced. If development is proposed in an area that contains or is close to
remnant vegetation, it is recommended that it is tested for dieback regardless of
whether it has been identified as a dieback area or not.
3.3 Objectives
The planning framework of the Shire shall:
1. Maintain and enhance the quality and quantity of remnant vegetation throughout
the Shire.
2. Ensure that protection and enhancement of biodiversity assets in the Shire is
considered early in the planning process.
3. Protect and enhance the biodiversity ‘hotspot’ status of the Shire.
No. Action Priority
BD1 Protect and enhance biodiversity values as part of town planning scheme O
amendment, development guide plan, subdivision and development application
VER 1 – FINAL DRAFT
Shire of Busselton Local Environmental Planning Strategy
Report 3 – Objectives, Strategies and Actions
November 2010
Page 28