The Shire of Collie council voted to expand the industrial and residential areas for population growth for the next 10 years at the latest council meeting.
The draft plan of the Local Planning Strategy is set out for the next decade, although it’s recommended that it be reviewed every five years and can be amended at any time.
Expanding Allanson was one of the changes to the strategy with more rural residential space being created.
However, the shire report showed that the Western Australian Planning Commission is not in favour of the expanded classification in Allanson.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage held a workshop with shire officers in relation to key issues on the modifications of the strategy which included expanding Allanson’s rural residential area.
The officer’s response to the issue was to present a different option which would include 36 McAvoy Road, Allanson.
“Which has not got the bushfire issues and which allows a logical expansion of the Allanson Rural Residential area and which will therefore assist in the establishment and sustainability of additional community facilities at Allanson,” they said in the agenda report.
The plan also created more residential space north of Collie, which the Western Australian Planning Commission are agreeing with.
Changes to land have also occurred such as rezoning, structure planning and subdivision in Development Investigation Areas and changes to land ownership at Shotts.
That land was voted on by councillors to be used for general industrial land, with the exception of not extending the future industrial area to Patstone Road.
The area is surrounded by trees which makes it a high bush-fire prone area. The Shire decided to locate the expansion of the industrial area within close proximity to the already existing industrial area.
The expansion will be used more for medium industrial companies such as transport depots which have less impact to the neighbouring houses than factories. The proposed new solar farm will also be positioned among the industrial area.
The commission will now look at the changes and can ask the Shire to make modifications to the draft based upon recommendations from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. They can then consider the modified Strategy and if satisfied will certify it for advertising.
