Directions Paper - Western Australian Planning Commission

Directions Paper on the Integration of NRM and Land Use Planning• Broad scale planning –strategic and moststructure planning, region schemes andtheir amendments, whole of municipalitytown planning schemes and some townplanning scheme amendments.• Local area planning – subdivision anddevelopment, some town planningscheme amendments and detailed localstructure plans.The Guidance includes a checklist ofenvironmental factors and outlines a processto assist the appropriate consideration ofenvironmental issues for both scales of decisionmaking. In implementing these steps however,there is a need for support from relevant stateagencies (eg DEC, DoW, DAFWA) to assistlocal government in determining priorityenvironmental issues to be considered inthe decision making process, as the levelof expertise required to adequately assessthe implications of development on theenvironment may not always be present withinthe decision making authority. It is suggestedthat an opportunity exists for relevant agenciesto provide this direction through regionalworkshops for those areas experiencingincreasing development pressure. This conceptis further discussed in Section 5.2.Parts B, C and D of the Guidance providemore detailed advice on specific environmentalfactors or issues that may need considerationin land use planning. Useful information withinthese sections includes potential impacts andthreats to environmental assets, checklists forbroad scale and local scale planning, a list ofother relevant EPA guidance documents andpolicies, advice on when a proposal affectingthe assets should be referred to the EPA andmeasures to manage or protect environmentalassets.Whilst the Guidance Statement provides a goodbasis for land use planners, there is a lack ofawareness of the document and understandingof how the document can be used. Thecomprehensive nature of the document means itis difficult to ascertain which components are tobe addressed by the local government withoutdirection from the EPA or DEC, and the size itselfcan be daunting for a land use planner. Thisis not to suggest that the Guidance Statementshould be reduced in size, rather that anawareness raising and training program wouldbe beneficial.Recommended action:• Promote and allocate resources forimplementation of EPA GuidanceStatement No. 33.4.4 Department ofEnvironment andConservation (DEC)The Department of Environment andConservation (DEC) is the lead agencyresponsible for the protection and conservationof many aspects of the State’s environment,including the management of the State’s nationalparks, marine parks, conservation parks, naturereserves, State forest and timber reserves.The Department was formed in July 2006bringing together functions of the Department ofEnvironment (excluding functions transferred tothe Department of Water) and the Departmentof Conservation and Land Management.Legislation administered by the DEC includes;• Carbon Rights Act 2003,• Conservation and Land Management Act1984,• Contaminated Sites Act 2003,• Environmental Protection Act 1986,• Environmental Protection (Landfill) LevyAct 1998,• National Environment Protection Council(Western Australia) Act 1996,• Reserves (National Parks andConservation Parks) Act 2004,• Reserves (National Parks, ConservationParks and Other Reserves) Act 2004,• Reserves (National Parks, ConservationParks, Nature Reserves and OtherReserves) Act 2004,22