THE state government has rezoned more than 700 hectares in Perth’s southern suburbs for residential development, adding to the number of projects on land to be serviced by the new Perth to Mandurah railway. Amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme passed through parliament last week transferred the land from rural to urban-deferred zoning. The statutory change is expected to significantly increase the amount of land available for housing. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said up to 9,000 houses could be built on four parcels of land at Anketell, Casuarina, Wandi and Wellard. “The start of services on the Perth to Mandurah railway will create even greater demand for homes in the southern suburbs, and this rezoning significantly increases land available for housing,” she said. “It will also give landholders the confidence to invest in more detailed structure planning and design of subdivisions.” Ms MacTiernan said amendments were based on the Jandakot Structure Plan, which outlined future development areas and the management of key environmental issues. “Before this land can be subdivided, there will be detailed planning for drainage and water management strategies, protection of conservation category wetlands, a review of acid sulphate soils and vegetation assessments,” she said. “If these requirements are met, development on some of the land could begin as early as 2009.” The land, which is on the eastern side of Kwinana Freeway, will have good access to key transport infrastructure. Facilitating residential development along the southern corridor, the Perth to Mandurah rail service is scheduled to start next week. One of the major developments on the new rail line is Cockburn Central, which is designed to be a major commercial centre servicing the surrounding residential areas. Rashelle Predovnik
