Land near Alkimos and Neerabup kept for reserves

On his last day as Planning Minister last month, John Day announced an agreement between the WA Planning Commission and LandCorp had enabled the commission to buy 100ha in Alkimos and 350ha in Neerabup for regional open space and infrastructure reserves.

“The purchase of these major areas of open space will mean more recreational, active open space and conservation areas for communities in the fast-growing northern corridor,” he said.

“The local population is expected to more than double to 740,300 people by 2050, driven by land supply and a coastal lifestyle, with nearly three-quarters of these people residing in the City of Wanneroo.”

Newly appointed Planning Minister Donna Faragher said the land in both areas was reserved as either parks and recreation, railways, and primary regional roads under the Metropolitan Region Scheme. “The Alkimos land reserved for parks and recreation is still being defined for active open space and includes approximately 80ha to the south of the proposed Alkimos town site, and a small portion on the coastal reserve,” she said.

“The land will eventually be managed by the City of Wanneroo for active recreation and sporting purposes.

“The Neerabup land is being purchased as part of the Government’s commitment to Bush Forever – preserving regional open space to ensure the long-term protection of unique natural environments.”

Mr Day said 11ha in Alkimos would be used for the future extension of the Mitchell Freeway and a railway to Yanchep, providing infrastructure for development of the Yanchep townsite.

He said LandCorp originally bought the Neerabup land as part of a plan to provide industrial land to support the growth of the northern corridors as well as preserve Neerabup Lake.

“The lake is highly valued within the increasingly urban landscape of the northern suburbs,” he said.

North Metropolitan MLC Peter Katsambanis said the purchases, totalling 450ha, were a boost for future recreational space and vital infrastructure in our fast-growing local area.

“If we don’t buy this land now, we simply won’t have the capacity to provide the services and recreational spaces that future residents deserve,” he said.

“In particular, by providing critical infrastructure for the Yanchep townsite, we will encourage development that will provide local employment and create a new thriving activity centre.”

Welcoming the announcement, Labor MP Ken Travers said the need for the land had been known for several years.

“We now need the plan to turn both the railway and the playing fields into infrastructure that we can use,” he said.

The North Metropolitan MLC said while it was great to extend the freeway farther north, doing so without extending rail would lead to more traffic congestion.

Local government welcomes space, calls for more

CITY of Wanneroo residents will benefit from more public open space, Mayor Tracey Roberts says.

Mrs Roberts welcomed the WA Planning Commission’s purchase of parcels of land in Neerabup and Alkimos for regional open space and infrastructure reserves.

“Our current population of 195,000 is expected to almost double by 2036 to 350,000 and such rapid growth requires significant investment in infrastructure and facilities,” she said.

“The purchase of 350 hectares in Neerabup and 100 hectares in Alkimos will allow us to better cater for the needs of our growing population.

“People will benefit from more recreational and open spaces for sports and recreation.”

The City hopes the WAPC will acquire another four major sites identified in the Alkimos and Yanchep-Two Rocks areas, needed for future regional sports facilities.

Mrs Roberts also welcomed the acquisition of Alkimos land earmarked for the future extension of the Mitchell Freeway and a railway to Yanchep.

“Our community in the north have been waiting a long time for such transport links, so this news is a positive step in the right direction,” she said.