The City of Busselton has been recognised as one of regional Australia's fastest growing communities.  To accommodate this future growth the Shire has commenced a Local Settlement Planning Strategy which will provide a long term framework to guide the growth and direction of the Shire over the next 30 years. 

Land Insights will head a consultant team, and will work with the community and stakeholders to formulate the Strategy under the Shires leadership.  A Consultation Strategy has been developed to guide communication throughout the development of the Strategy.  Several innovative opportunities are being planned to enable this to occur, including the availability of an on-line discussion forum and regular newsletters which will provide progress updates on the Strategy. 

Guided by the Council's strategic plan of nodal, hard-edged settlement accommodating a design population of 75,000 the Strategy will address future settlement issues in the Shire including the provision of:

• Sustainable land use future urban development
• Housing
• Infrastructure
• Transport

The Strategy will also provide a broad look at existing and future growth implications in the Shire and will also incorporate the adequacy of infrastructure and services to cater for the projected increase in population. 

It will aim to ensure that any future development provides for protection of the integrity and character of the district and its environmental features, as well as enhancing its relationship with features of the south west.  

Members of the community that are interested in receiving the newsletters and periodic updates are encouraged to register their name and contact details with Joy Reading by telephone:

(08) 9781 0469 or email: joy.reading@busselton.wa.gov.au at the City of Busselton.  The first newsletter regarding the Strategy may be viewed on the City of Busselton's website www.busselton.wa.gov.au/tps/settlement   The project on-line discussion forum can be visited at the following website address: http://www.landinsights.com.au/forum

It is anticipated that a draft document will be released for community review in September with the final Strategy to be completed by December 2009.

The Strategy is one of six strategies being developed in conjunction with the development of the City of Busselton's Local Planning Strategy and new Local Planning Scheme.  END.

Media enquiries can be directed to the City of Busselton's Public Relations Officer, Helena Webb on 97810446 or helena.webb@busselton.wa.gov.au