Proposed Development

The Moore River Company owns some 2000 hectares immediately south of Moore River.

The land has been owned by Moore River Company since the early 1960’s and continues to be used for grazing purposes.

Over the past 20 years, the owners have endeavoured to progress subdivision of the land, consistent with an approved urban zoning. During this time the project has been subjected to every check and balance required by the approval process.

In 1995, 557 hectares was zoned for residential development.

After years of extensive planning and environmental studies, the Shire of Gingin and the WAPC adopted the Moore River South Outline Development Plan (ODP) in 2000.

The attempts by the former Labor Government to unwind the approved zoning and ODP resulted in the SAT and Court of Appeal proceedings in 2006. The consequence of those attempts, apart from the financial burden placed upon the land owners was to undermine the planning process by introducing uncertainty into the system. The preservation of property rights is a fundamental expectation of today’s society.

In June 2009, the current Minister for Planning, the Hon John Day, announced its support for the future development south of the Moore River near Guilderton. Mr Day said the State Government would acknowledge the existing urban development zoning that had been in place since 1995.

“Plans for the area approved in 2000 allowed for a population of about 15,000 people.  This will be scaled back to a potential population of about 6,000 people in 2,000 dwellings.  Over time this will allow the township of Guilderton and the surrounding rural estates to grow to a size that attracts a primary school, and shopping and community facilities.”

“The development south of Moore River will result in a more sustainable future and better services for the surrounding communities.”

View the Minister’s full statement here