Rod Safstrom

Sustainability assessment for rural subdivision

Rod Safstrom
Department of Agriculture and Food, WA

Abstract:
The Western Australian Government has a strong position against subdivision of rural agricultural land due to threats to agricultural production. Around Australia peri-urban areas remain vital for food production. But within 150 km of population centres there is a transformation from agricultural to multi-functional regions with a proliferation of small lots and continuing pressure to subdivide. We now also have drivers generated by climate change, Peak Oil, population growth, soil degradation and opportunities for new food production technologies and farmers markets.

Purchase of whole farms for carbon and timber plantations is also changing local economies and delivering environmental benefits. So how do we objectively judge if such subdivisions and changes from agriculture to plantations can deliver net sustainability benefits? Do we judge these changes on a case by case basis or at a landscapes scale? How can measures be designed that will not be abused for financial reward? How do we design a system that minimises delays to development? These questions are currently being considered in design of new state rural subdivision policy.

This paper presents current thinking and raises questions for debate and discussion at the symposium.

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