Project Details

The intent of the Hills Rural Study is to understand the current land use and trends in the Kalamunda Hills area as well as review the existing local planning scheme, State Planning Policies, environmental strategies, and other statutory documents that govern land use and lot size with a view to preserving the orcharding industry in the Kalamunda Hills in the long term.

The area has traditionally been considered a primary production region, however anecdotal evidence has shown that there are many economic, environmental and social issues and constraints facing the orcharding industry.  A close examination of these issues  will form a component of the study and provide the basis for the study’s recommendations.

The objectives of the study are the following:

• To allow traditional growers more flexibility in land uses
• To encourage additional land uses ancillary to the primary horticultural production
• To consider a potential for future subdivision in the area
• To review the current zoning in the area
• To create incentives and support horticultural production in the area
• To protect rural character of the area through landscape protection
• To protect the quality of water

Hills Rural Study 2014 has been adopted by the Council in March 2015.