Planning Minister John Day today released an industrial land strategy for public comment to ensure the necessary planning was in place to meet the industrial land needs of the Perth and Peel regions for the next 20 years.
"The Industrial Land Strategy 2009 Perth and Peel is the State Government's road map to meet demand for industrial land to service business investment and population growth," Mr Day said.
"The strategy, which focuses on general and light industry needs, provides the framework to ensure ongoing economic growth and sustainability for these regions.
"The study area covers approximately 805,633 hectares in Perth and Peel, of which 13,798 are currently zoned for industrial purposes.
"The strategy focuses on the identification and de-constraining of land suitable for industrial activity for the long term to facilitate an industrial land bank. This will help ensure land shortages encountered in the mid-2000s will not occur again.
"For example, this will enable companies winning contracts from the Gorgon project to locate on larger lots to facilitate transport depots, machinery and concrete batching plants, fabrication and servicing facilities."
Forty sites have been identified that have the potential to be developed for industrial land uses, including sites which are extensions to existing industrial areas; and six sites, comprising more than 4,000 hectares, have been short-listed as priorities for detailed feasibility assessment.
For these priority sites an implementation plan to facilitate future development will be prepared outlining the necessary approvals and studies required.
The Minister said work had also commenced on a study into the industrial land needs for the State's South-West.
"This study will consider the regional needs for industrial land to support economic growth, particularly for the agricultural and food production sector as well as the significant mining production in the region," he said.
Public comment on the Industrial Land Strategy 2009 Perth and Peel is invited until Friday, March 12, 2010.
Following the consultation period, a final industrial land strategy will be prepared, following the blueprint for future industrial land use planning.
