Directions Paper - Western Australian Planning Commission

Directions Paper on the Integration of NRM and Land Use PlanningPlanning Strategy (1997) is:To protect and enhance the key natural andcultural assets of the State and deliverto all West Australians a high quality oflife which is based on environmentallysustainable principles.The State Planning Strategy contains a numberof strategies aimed at securing a high qualityenvironment. The strategies listed below providebroad enough scope to allow for developmentof more detailed direction on NRM through theremainder of the SPF:• Increasingly use energy sources whichhave minimal impact on the environment;• Prevent further loss in biodiversity;• Ensure that air quality is protected;• Ensure that water resources areconserved and their quality protected;• Ensure that land and soil is safeguardedand that degradation does not occur;• Reduce consumption of materials andpromote recycling;• Promote planning, management andprotection of resources;• Protect landscape, open space andpublic access;• Enhance the quality of life for all WesternAustralians; and• Protect the State’s cultural heritage.DPI is currently undertaking a review of the StatePlanning Strategy as it is more than 10 years old.The review provides an opportunity for the StatePlanning Strategy to better address number ofcontemporary environmental planning issues,such as sustainability and climate change.5.1.3 State planning policyState Planning Policies (SPP) are preparedunder Part 3 of the Planning and DevelopmentAct 2005, and are directed towards broadgeneral planning matters and facilitating thecoordination of planning throughout the Stateby local governments. SPP’s can be made forany matter which may be the subject of a localplanning scheme, and can be prepared toapply to either the whole State or for a specifiedportion of the State. Local Government musthave due regard to the State Planning Policieswhen preparing or amending local planningschemes and making decisions on planningmatters.State Planning Policy No. 1 is the overarchingSPP that brings together State and regionalpolicies and plans into a State PlanningFramework. SPP No. 1 outlines the keyprinciples for sustainable land use anddevelopment including principles relating to theenvironment, community, economy, infrastructureand regional development.Under this policy are sector policies dealingwith the key principles of the framework(numbered SPP2-6), which includes SPP No.2 – Environment and Natural Resources Policy.Supplementary policies are numbered assubsets of the sector policies.The Environment and Natural Resources SPPdefines the “principles and considerationsthat represent good and responsible planningin terms of environment and natural resourceissues”. It has three primary objectives whichare;- To integrate environment and naturalresource management with broader landuse planning and decision making;- To protect, conserve and enhance thenatural environment; and- To promote and assist in the wise andsustainable use and management ofnatural resources.SPP No. 2 therefore, further establishesenvironmental considerations as validplanning considerations. The supplementaryenvironmental polices cover a range of issuesincluding water resources, biodiversity, andprotection of agricultural land (as well as soiland land quality), with many of these policiesrequiring implementation through the local32