Future planning priorities for Pickering Brook and Surrounds

Closed 29 Apr 2022

Opened 28 Feb 2022

Contact

6551 8002

pickeringbrook@dplh.wa.gov.au

Overview

The draft Part 2 Report – Facilitating Sustainable Economic Opportunities – is now open for comment. 

The draft Part 2 Report of the Pickering Brook and Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy (the Strategy) will provide planning guidance on potential tourism uses, identify opportunities for new and existing agritourism, and facilitate the sustainable growth of tourism activity and agriculture production in the area. 

It recognises the area’s tourism and agriculture industries are important contributors to the State and local economics and deliver employment and business opportunities for the community. 

Following extensive planning investigations, the Working Group has prepared 24 planning recommendations and related actions grouped into three focus areas:

  1. Facilitating sustainable growth 
  2. Cultivating a tourist economy 
  3. Securing the agricultural future 

There are 19 priority recommendations (shaded in the report) that could be initiated within 12 – 18 months of the final Strategy’s release. 

The remaining recommendations are to be considered for inclusion in future business programs over a longer period (within five years after the release of the Strategy). 

The recommendations and actions are subject to funding approval by State and local government. 

Documents

 

More Information

In June 2018, the State Government announced a dedicated Taskforce to investigate planning and economic development opportunities in the Pickering Brook and Surrounds. 
The Taskforce – led by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti – and supported by a Working Group, chaired by Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes have completed extensive investigations to explore the future growth and sustainability of tourism and agriculture in the region. 
The Pickering Brook and Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy (the Strategy) seeks to balance the aspirations of local government, landowners and community stakeholders, with State agency requirements, infrastructure capacity, bushfire risks, the environment and the needs of agricultural production. 
As part of report 1 the Working Group assessed and recommended the expansion of 14 hectares to the Pickering Brook townsite. 
The report recommends that the City of Kalamunda prepare and submit a Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment request, so that the Western Australian Planning Commission may consider rezoning the supported land area from Rural to Urban.
The Taskforce endorsed this recommendation and the Part 1 Report – Pickering Brook Townsite Expansion was released in November 2020. 
In developing the draft Part 2 Report – Facilitating Sustainable Economic Opportunities, the Working Group has considered information from the preliminary community consultation and has undertaken a tourism analysis, soil and land capability assessment, bushfire risk assessment, and prepared a bushfire management plan.
Following completion of the consultation period for the Part 2 Report, the Working Group and the Taskforce will consider feedback and make modifications to the report where required, before releasing the final Strategy document. 

More information

What is the purpose of Part 2 of the Strategy?
The Part 2 Report of the Pickering Brook and Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy (the Strategy) will provide strategic planning guidance for tourism and agriculture-related growth within the Perth Hills.
Tourism development initiatives, including the potential growth of agritourism, will be investigated as part of developing the Strategy.
A Project Taskforce has been established, supported by a Project Working Group with representatives from relevant State Government agencies, and the cities of Kalamunda and Armadale.
Part 2 of the Strategy aims to:
  • investigate the planning and economic development-related opportunities, constraints and options to revitalise the Pickering Brook townsite and surrounding area
  • provide face-to-face opportunities early in the project for landowners and the community to have their say about the future of the area
  • balance the aspirations of local government, landowners and community stakeholders, with State agency requirements, infrastructure capacity, bushfire risks, the environment and the needs of agricultural production
  • consider any implications for high-quality agricultural land
  • provide direction for future local planning
  • develop strategic recommendations for Government consideration.
What was Part 1?
As part of phase 1 the Working Group assessed and recommended the expansion of approximately 14 hectares to the Pickering Brook townsite.
The report recommends that the City of Kalamunda prepare and submit a Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) amendment request, so that the Western Australian Planning Commission may consider rezoning the supported land area from Rural to Urban.
The Taskforce endorsed this recommendation and the Part 1 Report – Pickering Brook Townsite Expansion was released in November 2020.
The Part 1 Report is available for reference in the documents list below.
What is the Pickering Brook Strategy Area?
The Strategy Area incorporates approximately 16,000 hectares across the City of Kalamunda and Armadale.
The following localities are either wholly or partially within the study area:
  • Bickley
  • Canning Mills
  • Carmel
  • Hacketts Gulley
  • Karragullen
  • Paulls Valley
  • Pickering Brook
  • Piesse Brook
  • Roleystone
  • Walliston
What is classed as ‘the Surrounds’?
The Surrounds comprise a significant portion in the Perth Hills between Paulls Valley in the north and Roleystone in the south, within the cities of Kalamunda and Armadale.
The following localities are either wholly or partially within the study area:
  • Bickley
  • Canning Mills
  • Carmel
  • Hacketts Gulley
  • Karragullen
  • Paulls Valley
  • Pickering Brook
  • Piesse Brook
  • Roleystone
  • Walliston
Who are the Taskforce and Working Group?
The Project Taskforce members are:
Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA
Minister for Transport; Planning; Ports – Chairperson
Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLC
Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Hydrogen Industry
Hon. Roger Cook MLA
Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade; Tourism; Commerce; Science
David Caddy
Chairman, Western Australian Planning Commission
The Project Working Group is chaired by Matthew Hughes MLA, Member for Kalamunda, with representatives from:
  • Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
  • Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
  • Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
  • Department of Fire and Emergency Services
  • Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
  • City of Kalamunda
  • City of Armadale
  • Community
What consultation has happened so far to develop the Strategy?
Community consultation is an integral part of preparing the Pickering Brook and Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy (the Strategy).
To ensure the Strategy considers issues and aspirations of the local community, we have provided landowners and community stakeholders with opportunities to provide input at different stages of the Strategy’s preparation.
In August and September of 2019, the Taskforce and Working Group invited the local community to participate in a survey questionnaire and face-to-face meetings with members of the Working Group.
This preliminary consultation captured key information on how the community perceives the potential expansion of the Pickering Brook townsite, existing and future tourism in the study area, and has helped identify local issues.
What happens following consultation for Part 2 of the Strategy?
Following consultation, the Working Group and the taskforce will consider feedback and make modifications to Part 2 of the Strategy where appropriate before releasing the final Strategy document.
To register your interest in being kept up-to-date about the project, please email pickeringbrook@dplh.wa.gov.au with your name and contact details.

Areas

  • Metropolitan North East
  • Metropolitan South East

Audiences

  • Residents
  • Business Operators
  • Land Owners
  • Community Organisations