THE master plan for what’s claimed to be one of Australia’s largest industrial redevelopment projects was released for public comment last week.
Located between Fremantle and Rockingham, the Hope Valley Wattleup Redevelopment Project was initiated in 2000 by Graham Kierath, planning minister in the Court Government.
The aim was to release 1,000 hectares of land that could be redeveloped for industrial uses.
A number of government studies had identified that a major redevelopment project was required to meet the growing demand for general industrial land within the metropolitan area over the next 20 to 30 years.
The project, which has been overseen by LandCorp, involved the closure of Hope Valley and Wattleup towns. In the long term about 500 families would be relocated in order to pave the way for the industrial expansion of nearby Kwinana.
Today, LandCorp has acquired more than 80 per cent of the properties in both town sites.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the 1,000ha project area would yield an estimated 10,000 jobs.
“It also delivers on Labor’s commitment not to allow for expansion of heavy industry into the area and to develop a mixed use, commercial and industrial development,” she said.
“Rural uses allowed under existing laws can continue.”
Ms MacTiernan said the redevelopment was vital to the State’s economic growth.
“This integration and the project’s strategic location will help generate economic prosperity for Perth’s south-west corridor, with benefits flowing throughout the State,” she told WA Business News.
A highlight of the proposed master plan is the development of eco-industrial park concepts.
These will promote more efficient use of infrastructure and re-use, and recycling of industrial by-products as inputs for other activities.
Also planned is a distribution centre to service the rapidly growing southern suburbs of Perth and the South West region.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA director of industry policy, Bill Sashegyi, said the Hope Valley Wattelup redevelopment project would be critical to support demand for industrial land over the next 20 years.
“In order to meet the challenges facing the industry we need ideally located land,” he said.
“It [Hope Valley Wattleup redevelopment project] gives our industry the best of opportunities and will attract industry into the area.”
The public has three months to comment on the proposed master plan, with submissions to be lodged by Thursday March 4 2004.
