Directions Paper - Western Australian Planning Commission

Directions Paper on the Integration of NRM and Land Use Planningland use planning in peri urban areas (e.g.Geraldton and Albany regional native vegetationsurvey projects, EnviroPlanning South West),resources and effort of State agencies thatcould be directed to developing similar projectsare often tied up in providing representationon the committees of regional NRM groups.It is through these committees of the regionalNRM groups that decisions are made aboutwhich projects to fund, therefore representationon them can be advantageous, but oftenthese committees deal with matters that areinconsequential to achieving NRM outcomesthrough land use planning. Notwithstandingthis, land use planning is a very importanttool in achieving NRM outcomes in peri urbanand urban areas and therefore more effectiveand efficient engagement of DPI and localgovernments is required.4.8.3 Whole of government approach toregional planningWhilst there are a number of regional andsubregional planning strategies that have beenprepared with the involvement of relevant StateNRM agencies there is often no commitmentor budget allocated to the implementation ofthe strategy. It was suggested through theregional forums delivered by EnviroPlanningthat a whole of government approach not onlyto the development of regional strategies, butalso to the implementation of the strategies wasrequired. A regional planning synopsis recentlycommissioned by the DPI also recognised theimportance of a whole of government approachto regional planning.4.8.4 Communication and NetworkingApart from the Government Officers TechnicalAdvisory Group (GOTAG) operating in theSouth Coast region, the Integrated Land andWater Planning Group within the MetropolitanRegion, and the Planning Land Use ManagersGroup within the south east Avon, thereare currently very few formal or informalnetworking opportunities for NRM and planningprofessionals within State and local government.It was suggested by a number of participantsat the peri urban workshop and regionalforums delivered by EnviroPlanning, that similarworkshops and forums be held in the future on aregular basis..Recommended actions:• Prepare an agreement through theCouncil of Natural Resource AgencyChief Executives (CONRACE) thatdefines the roles and responsibilities ofSTATE NRM agencies at different stagesof the planning process (eg strategies,schemes, amendments, subdivisions).• Prepare a list of key agency contacts tocorrespond with the relevant roles andresponsibilities for NRM through landuse planning• Facilitate forums with State NRMagencies, local governments andregional NRM groups on the integrationof NRM into land use planning.30