Pickering Brook & Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy

The Pickering Brook & Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy sets a long-term direction for how the area can grow and evolve while protecting its unique environment, agricultural heritage, and community values. The Strategy explores sustainable economic development and tourism opportunities and provides a framework to guide future planning, advocacy, and investment.

This project page will provide clear and regular updates so the community can stay informed as work progresses.

Map showing Pickering Brook townsite — Pickering Brook Planning Investigation Area (DPLH 2020)

Explore the Strategy

The Strategy provides long-term guidance only. It does not represent a final decision or approval for development.

It has been developed through collaboration between State Government agencies, the Cities of Kalamunda and Armadale, and the local community, supported by a dedicated Project Taskforce and Working Group.

Strategy Documents

The Strategy is comprised of two (2) parts: Part 1 and Part 2. The Strategy is underpinned by supporting assessments covering bushfire, sustainability, tourism, transport, economic opportunities, and soil and land capability.

Working Group Minutes

4 February 2026 - Working Group Minutes
PDF (158.37 KB)
Pickering Brook and Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy Working Group – Implementation

FAQ

Is development already approved?

What is being proposed?

Why is this happening?

Timeline

The City will continue to update the community as key decisions are made, recommendations are implemented and new information becomes available.

Late 2019

The Taskforce and Working Group undertook Preliminary Consultation which identified strong local support for carefully managed growth. Pickering Brook and Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy Study Area Map.

2020-2022

Following community consultation in 2019, further technical work was required to assess bushfire risk, infrastructure capacity and planning policy considerations.

2022-2025

State Government planning requirements were reviewed in this period, including:

State Planning Policy 3.7 Bushfire (SPP 3.7) 2024 - The updated SPP 3.7 prioritises bushfire requirements early in the planning process and seeks to ensure that future housing delivery appropriately balances bushfire risk mitigation and environmental conservation measures.
State Planning Policy 2.9 Water 2025 - The new policy consolidates several land use policies relating to water management, clarifying processes and measures to protect water supply and public health.

Late 2025

At its Ordinary Meeting on 23 September 2025, Council:

Acknowledged the opportunities for economic development of the area, and the desire of local residents to realise these opportunities for the benefit of the community; and
Requested that the Chief Executive Officer, in relation to Part 2,

23 September 2025 - Ordinary Council Meeting - Motions of Which Previous Notice has been Given (Item 11.1)

Early 2026

At its 28 January 2026 meeting, the WAPC resolved to defer its determination to initiate an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) that, if approved, would facilitate the planned expansion of the Pickering Brook townsite through rezoning of land from Rural to Urban.

The deferral is to allow the City to undertake further investigations and provide additional information addressing matters raised by State agencies, particularly in relation to bushfire management and on-site effluent disposal.

Early 2026

At the 26 February 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting, the City confirmed that it has prioritised preparing the additional information required to inform WAPC’s decision on whether to initiate the proposed MRS Amendment, including active engagement with relevant State agencies.

Ordinary Council Meeting 26 February 2026 - Questions by Members Without Notice (Item 12.3)

The City has initiated and continues direct engagement with State agencies to clarify outstanding concerns regarding the proposed MRS Amendment and confirm the scope of information required to address them.

Due July 2026

In consultation with relevant agencies, the City is undertaking further investigations to prepare the additional information needed to address matters raised in relation to the proposed MRS Amendment. The additional information will be in the form of:

Updates to the Bushfire Management Plan, including:
- Revised methodology aligned with updated SPP 3.7
- Review of strategic risk reduction measures
- Additional evacuation modelling information
Strategic and evidence-based assessment the actual risk of additional onsite effluent disposal systems in the Middle Helena Drinking Water Source catchment.

Expected late 2026

Following the City’s submission of additional information, the WAPC is expected to determine whether to initiate the proposed amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS).

If WAPC supports initiation, the proposed amendment would be formally advertised for public and agency comment, before being presented back to the WAPC and the Minister for Planning for determination.

Contact Information
Phone	(08) 9257 9999
Email	enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au
Website	www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/

(08) 9257 9999

enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au

Pickering Brook & Surrounds Sustainability and Tourism Strategy

Explore the Strategy

Part 1 – Pickering Brook Townsite

Part 2 – Tourism and Economic Opportunities

Strategy Documents

Contact Us