Future Building Projects - "unacceptable danger" comments

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL — Tuesday, 21 June 2011]
p4474b-4475a
Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Helen Morton

FUTURE BUILDING PROJECTS — “UNACCEPTABLE DANGER” COMMENTS

Hon Lynn MacLaren to the Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Planning

(1) Is the Minister aware of the report in The West Australian of 12 April 2011, that while speaking at the
Committee for the Economic Development of Australia in Sydney, the chief executive of Insurance
Australia Group, Mike Wilkins, said development should not be allowed in areas of ‘unacceptable
danger’?

(2) Has the Western Australian Government taken steps to identify areas of unacceptable danger?

(3) If no to (2), why not?

(4) If yes to (2), what steps have been taken?

(5) Has the Western Australian Government invested in digital elevation mapping, so that those with
potential exposure to floods are aware of the risk of building in these areas?

(6) If no to (5), does it intend to make this investment and when?

(7) If yes to (5), please give details.

(8) With reference to Mr Wilkins’ statement that Governments may need to resume land where the risk is
extreme and the cost of coverage or other protective action is simply uneconomic, what is the
Government’s position in this regard?

(9) Will the Minister initiate changes to planning and zoning laws to help people become more resilient to
disasters?

(10) If no to (9), why not?

(11) If yes to (9), what changes are proposed?

Hon HELEN MORTON replied:

(1)–(4) The Government includes planning for natural disasters as a fundamental element in the preparation of
all statutory and non-statutory planning documents, specifically town planning schemes and
amendments and local planning strategies.

For bush fires, the interim Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines provides detailed provisions
and requirements to be used by governments to determine those areas that are most vulnerable to bush
fire where development should be restricted.

In the case of storm surge susceptibility, studies are required to accompany planning proposals where
vulnerability to inundation is evident. Where inundation could occur, storm surge studies need to
demonstrate where that inundation may occur and new permanent buildings should be constructed to
take account of the effects of storm surge (including wind and wave set-up). The State Coastal Planning
Policy (SPP 2.6) also provides assistance in determining appropriate setbacks in coastal locations.

(5)–(7) The Department of Water is currently custodian of the 1 in 100 (year event) flood map.

(8) Land use planning takes into account the impact of natural hazards and disasters when locating land
uses or determining applications for development. Every planning proposal is assessed on its own
merits, specific to the development proposal and location, in line with existing planning policy.

(9)–(11) The Department of Planning is currently reviewing SPP 2.6 State Coastal Planning Policy and the
Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines (ed. 2) and intend to release edition 3 of the guidelines in
2011 on completion of the enquiry into the Roleystone Fires. On completion of the Planning for Bush
Fire Protection Guidelines, SPP 3.4 Natural Hazards and Disasters will be reviewed.