Outcome

The outcome statement that was published in the 2003-04 Budget Statements was modified during 2003-04 to provide better clarity regarding the role of the Department in achieving the desired social, economic and environmental goals through the allocation and management of land, transport systems and infrastructure.

The revised outcome statement is used as the basis for reporting in 2003-04.

The Department for Planning and Infrastructure strives to achieve its outcome through provision of policy and planning advice to the Minister and Government, policy and planning support services to the Western Australian Planning Commission under delegated powers, the provision of development and subdivision approvals, application of approved plans and policies; and other strategic and statutory land use planning activities.

The Department provides the Minister and government with policy advice on the future direction of transport systems within Western Australia, including the integration of transport within the state’s land use configuration. Our policy advice on the state’s transport system is aimed at ensuring that the transport system is integrated within transport modes and the land configuration (the economic dimension); is safe and accessible (the social dimension); and is environmentally sustainable. The planning system is complex. It must manage the often-competing interests and desired outcomes of the various stakeholders, as well as the aspirations of the community. It also has an independent decision making system that is subject to legal appeal through the Town Planning Appeals Tribunal.

The accompanying performance indicators have changed from those of previous years to encapsulate in an understandable way the fundamental outcomes of the planning and management system that underpins the role of the Department. We understand our role as facilitating social and economic development and reducing adverse impacts on the environment in the following terms:

1. Social development  
We anticipate and respond to the needs of existing and future communities through the provision of zoned and serviced land for housing, employment, recreation and open space, commercial and community facilities.

Social development factors addressed by the Department include:

• Accommodating future population growth and demographic and social change;
• Ensuring sufficient zoned land for a range of activities, including affordable housing and employment;
• Promoting efficient patterns of land use;
• Coordinating the provision of infrastructure in a way that is equitable, accessible, timely and efficient;
• Setting aside zoned land to protect key existing and planned land assets from inappropriate land use and development;
• Preventing development in areas that are not well serviced;
• Implementing a range of statutory responsibilities, delegated authorities, policies and plans that are designed to promote social development;
• Acting as the state’s principal transport co-ordination and policy advisory body. The Department co-ordinates Western Australia’s input into various national forums and organisations, and provides strategic oversight across the state; and
• Implementing future transport systems in accordance with the State Planning Strategy, so investments in transport infrastructure are based on a sound basis of economic, social and environmental considerations.

2. Economic development 
We contribute to the economic well being of the state, the regions and local communities through the provision of land, facilitating decisions and resolving land use conflicts.

Economic development factors addressed by the Department include:

• Providing suitably zoned and serviced land for industry, business, other employment and wealth creating activities;
• Avoiding land use conflicts by separating incompatible uses of land;
• Promoting local employment opportunities;
• Preventing development in areas where services and facilities are not economical to provide;
• Facilitating efficient use of existing infrastructure;
• Communicating approved plans and policies to land and infrastructure developers to assist them in making investment decisions;
• Implementing a range of statutory responsibilities, policies and plans designed to promote economic development; and
• Implementing transport systems in accordance with the State Planning Strategy, and so investments in transport infrastructure are based on a sound basis of economic, social and environmental considerations.

3. Reduced adverse impacts on the environment  
We reduce adverse impacts on the environment by protecting environmental assets through reservation and by encouraging ecologically sustainable land use.

Environmental factors addressed by the Department include:

• Protecting areas and sites of environmental significance from inappropriate land use and development;
• Preventing environmental problems that may arise as a result of siting incompatible land uses close together;
• Minimising destruction of habitat and other environmental values by increasing densities and encouraging redevelopment of existing urban assets rather than allowing unchecked urban sprawl;
• Implementing a range of statutory responsibilities, policies and plans designed to reduce the impact of urban growth on the environment;
• Regulating the licensing of motor vehicles to ensure that they meet the stringent Australian Design Rules for emission controls; and
• Through our transport policy setting role, setting a variety of strategies for minimising the adverse impacts on the environment through, for example, encouraging alternative forms of transport (cycling, walking) and ensuring the bus fleet progressively meets Economic Commission of Europe exhaust emission standards.