The Maddington Kenwick Strategic Employment Area (MKSEA) is an area bound by Bickley Road, Roe Highway and Tonkin Highway is currently being investigated for future industrial development.

What is the main aim of the project?

To determine if future industrial development can occur whilst ensuring the protection of key environmental characteristics of the area. The area has been and continues to be subject to various planning studies to determine its suitability of industrial development.

What has been happening recently?

Council has committed to undertaking detailed planning in the MKSEA.

Precinct 1

• The Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) amendment to rezone Precinct 1 from Rural to Industrial was gazetted on 18 September 2012.
• Amendment No. 126 to Town Planning Scheme No. 6 (TPS 6) that rezones MKSEA Precinct 1 from General Rural to Business Development was approved on 11 October 2013.
• Local Planning Policy 5.6 was adopted on 22 October 2013 to provide guidance for the assessment and determination of applications for planning approval within Precinct 1 of the MKSEA.
• Council informs landowners of its intent to prepare a Structure Plan for Precinct 1 - 6 July 2015.

Precinct 2

• The MRS amendment to rezone Precinct 2 from Rural to Industrial was gazetted on 14 October 2016.
• Amendment No. 169 to TPS that rezones MKSEA Precinct 2 from General Rural to Business Development has been initiated by Council on 13 December 2016, and is currently before the EPA and the WAPC for review, prior to advertising to landowners and State Government Agencies.

Precinct 3 (Precinct 3A and 3B)

• The MRS amendment to rezone Precinct 3 from Rural to Industrial was gazetted on 14 October 2016.
• Precinct 3A - Amendment No. 165 to TPS 6 that rezones MKSEA Precinct 3A from General Rural to General Industry was approved on 12 December 2016.
• A Structure Plan for Precinct 3A was approved by the Western Australian Planning Commission on 25 August 2017.
• Precinct 3B - Amendment No. 166 to TPS 6 that rezones MKSEA Precinct 3B from General Rural to Business Development has been initiated by Council on 8 March 2016, and is currently before the EPA and the WAPC for review, prior to advertising to landowners and State Government Agencies.

Kenwick Rail Freight Facility

The Minster for Planning has also declared a Planning Control Area (PCA) over land identified for the proposed Kenwick Rail Freight Facility in Precinct 3. The PCA was gazetted on 14 October 2016. Details on the PCA can be obtained from the WAPC - Reference Plan Number 3.2689.

The purpose of the PCA is to protect land that may be required for the future Kenwick Rail Freight Facility. The WAPC considers that the planning control area is required to ensure that no development occurs on this land which might prejudice this purpose until it may be reserved for railway purposes in the MRS. The declaration remains in effect for a period of five years from the date of publication of this notice in the Government Gazette or until revoked by the WAPC with approval by the Minister, whichever is sooner.

A person shall not commence and carry out development in a PCA without the prior approval of the WAPC. The penalty for failure to comply with this requirement is $200,000 and, in the case of continuing offence, a further fine of $25,000 for each day during which the office continues. Compensation is payable in respect of land injuriously affected by this declaration, and land so affected may be acquired by the WAPC in the same circumstances and in the same manner as if the land has been reserved in the MRS for a public purpose.

For enquiries relating to the planning control area, please contact the Department of Planning, Ms Shanthi Golestani on 6551 9231.

What will happen next?

• To ensure an orderly and proper planning approach is in place, Local Planning Policy 5.8 (LPP 5.8) was adopted on 8 July 2014 to establish a planning framework for the MKSEA. Council revoked this policy on 22 May 2018 in recognition of the structure planning being undertaken within the area which will ultimately address the planning requirements necessary to facilitate the establishment of future industry. Council is currently preparing draft structure plans for Precincts 1, 2 and 3B of the MKSEA. Various technical reports are being prepared to address the environmental, water management, traffic , bushfire management and Aboriginal heritage aspects of the structure plans.

• On 14 February 2017, Council resolved to appoint Emerge Associates to prepare an environmental assessment and management strategy, local water management strategy and geotechnical investigation for Precincts 1, 2 and 3B. of the MKSEA. These technical reports are expected to be completed by July 2018. The traffic, bushfire management and Aboriginal heritage reports are anticipated to be completed by mid to late 2018. Following approval of the reports by the relevant state government agencies, the draft structure plans will be presented to Council for consent to advertising for public comment.

Further information

The links below contain further detailed information on the project.

If you wish to discuss any matters relating to the MKSEA, please contact City Growth on 9397 3161.