The population of the Perth and Peel regions of Western Australia (WA) is set to grow to 3.5 million people. The strategic assessment is looking at the best way to protect the environment and meet the needs of a growing city.
Strategic assessments are a collaboration between the Australian Government and an assessment partner. This collaboration allows for a big-picture approach to safeguarding protected matters from the impacts of development over a long time.
The Perth and Peel (WA) strategic assessment on this page is inactive. This means the Environment minister signed an agreement, but the Australian Government no longer anticipates receiving further documents to progress the strategic assessment.
The partner has no obligation to finalise the strategic assessment requirements. They may choose not to continue to seek approval for their development at any time. But this choice doesn't remove their need to meet other obligations under national environmental law.
Overview
The Perth and Peel regions of WA have significant ecological and heritage values. These include protected matters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), such as:
- declared Ramsar wetlands
- listed threatened species and listed ecological communities
- migratory species protected under international agreements
- Commonwealth Heritage places
- declared World Heritage properties.
The assessment attempted to look at the best way to protect the environment and heritage of the area while allowing sustainable development. It focused on:
- the impacts of future urban development activities
- infrastructure corridors
- transportation
- basic raw material extraction.
Figure 1. Perth and Peel Regional Sustainability Planning and Strategic Assessment area - Click on map to enlarge image
Strategic assessment agreement
The strategic assessment agreement was signed on 28 July 2011.
Perth and Peel Regions Assessment Agreement and Terms of Reference (PDF 549 KB)
Perth and Peel Regions Assessment Agreement and Terms of Reference (DOC 512 KB)
Terms of reference
The terms of reference for a strategic assessment detail how the strategic assessment partner is to assess the impacts of their proposed development activities.
The WA Government sought public comment on the draft terms of reference from 26 August to 7 October 2011.
On 23 May 2012, the Commonwealth Environment minister approved the final terms of reference and minor changes to the strategic assessment agreement.
The final terms of reference take into account public comments received. The boundary of the strategic assessment also expanded to include:
- the Gnangara, Pinjar and Yanchep Pine Plantations
- nearby conservation land.
The terms of reference for this strategic assessment are attached to the agreement.
The draft Strategic Conservation Plan and draft impact assessment report
From 8 April to 13 May 2016, the WA Government invited public comments on the:
- draft Strategic Conservation Plan
- draft impact assessment report, the Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5 million.
Work continued on the draft plan and report until 2018.
On 4 April 2018, the WA Government announced an independent review of the ongoing costs, risks and benefits of the assessment.
On 26 March 2020, the WA Government put the Perth and Peel Regions strategic assessment on indefinite hold.
Get in touch
Contact our Referrals Gateway team:
- Email: epbc.referrals@dcceew.gov.au
- Phone: 1800 423 135 between 9 am and 5 pm Canberra time.