Tourism Planning Taskforce Report - Western Australian Planning ...

Chapter 8Taskforce recommendationsTable 3 demonstrates how tourism uses maybe dealt with in a range of zones. Theinclusion of specific purpose zones or the fullrange of tourist zones within the land usetable of a specific local government schemewill depend on the character of tourism in anarea, the range of tourism sites, and will notbe required in all town planning schemes.Residential uses are included to show theirpermissibility within the various zonesconsistent with the principles of the taskforcerecommendations.While tourism development occurs primarilyon land zoned specifically for that purpose, italso occurs under alternative zonings such ascommercial, town centre and mixed use zonessuch as commercial/tourism. Land zoned forsuch purposes was not within the scope of theterms of reference of the taskforce and assuch, have not been considered in detail orincluded in the sample zoning table. Thecontinued use of such zones in appropriatelocations in providing for a mix and intensity ofdevelopment that includes tourism uses issupported. Such zones are not considered anacceptable substitute for the zoning of landspecifically for tourism purposes in recognitionof the need to retain high-value tourism sitesfor that purpose. In the preparation of a localplanning strategy / town planning scheme,such zones should be viewed as providing anancillary role only in providing future tourismdevelopment opportunities.Tiered zoning frameworkThe taskforce has concluded that in order toprovide for the sustainable operation of arange of tourist accommodation types, it isnecessary to provide for a more detailedzoning structure that clearly sets out theextent and type of development that can beachieved in the specific tourism zone. It isproposed that this is achieved through theintroduction of a tiered zoning structure whichlimits the range of development permissible ona site to the capability of the site taking intoaccount the planning context and its identifiedtourism function.Recommendation 13:i) That the guidelines and requirements forthe preparation of town planning schemesbe revised to provide for local governmentsto adopt a range of tourism zones, whereappropriate taking into account the localtourism industry and range of tourism sites,with provisions specific to each zone. Thezones shall be based on thecategorisations of: Caravan Park andCamping Grounds, Cabin and Chalet,Tourist/Resort, Motel, Hotel, TourismInvestigation and Tourist/Accommodation.That the continued use of mixed use zonesthat provide for tourist accommodationuses in addition to other uses is supportedonly as additional to and not as a substitutefor, the identification and zoning of existingand new sites specifically for tourismpurposes.ii) That all new and reviewed town planningschemes contain a standard provision thatrequires all units in a touristaccommodation development to beavailable for tourism letting, and that limitsthe length of occupancy of touristaccommodation, short-stay accommodationand other forms of tourism development ontourist zoned land to three months in any12-month period.iii) That the tiered zoning framework, includingthe model provisions specific to each zone,be introduced in the recommended SPP,Land Use Planning for Tourism.Definitions for tourism usesThe Model Scheme Text Schedule 2 -Dictionary of Defined Words and Expressions(2) contains a limited number of definitions fortourism related use classes (see Section 3.1,p24). The introduction of additional definitionswas considered necessary in implementationof the taskforce recommendations to providefor consistency on development types.In the development of a tourism complex, it isexpected that it will provide a range offacilities and amenities for guests, with townplaning schemes generally providing for theinclusion of commercial components wherethese are ancillary to the tourism use. Theinclusion of commercial facilities in thedevelopment of land zoned for tourismpurposes should be designed primarily toenhance the tourism experience available atthe location. The use of the street level ofmulti-level tourism facilities for commercial80 Tourism Planning Taskforce Report