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Perth urban sprawl takes its toll

Date
Population in Perth and the adjoining Peel region expected to rise from about 2 million to more than 3.5 million by 2050.

Population in Perth and the adjoining Peel region expected to rise from about 2 million to more than 3.5 million by 2050. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Perth's urban sprawl is heating up the metropolitan area and driving out native animal species, according to an Environmental Protection Authority report.

With the population in Perth and adjoining Peel region expected to rise from about two million now to more than 3.5 million by 2050, the EPA is backing calls for more compact development as the human footprint takes a big toll on the natural environment.

Heat-wave related deaths in Perth are predicted to more than double by 2050 due to the "urban heat island effect" - a phenomenon in which air temperatures are higher in urban areas than surrounding rural areas - and climate change.

"We'll also need to contend with the amount of waste likely to be generated, which will rise from 6.7 million to about 9.7 million tonnes a year," chairman Paul Vogel said.

The EPA said species that were present at the time of settlement had disappeared from the region, including 12 mammals such as the numbat, while 46 bird species were in decline and many plants were threatened with extinction.

Premier Colin Barnett said he wasn't surprised.

"Perth is actually the most biodiverse city in the world," Mr Barnett told reporters.

"Yes, some species may well have be lost and I think we're all aware that Perth has sprawled.

"Perth is the same geographic size as greater London."

The state Opposition said the Barnett government had "dropped the ball" with precinct planning.

"The government's infill target of 47 per cent will never be reached under the current leadership," Opposition spokeswoman for planning Rita Saffioti said.

"There is no political direction to improve on the current 28 per cent level."

AAP

18 comments so far

  • Reaching 3.5 million by 2050 is not 'creeping towards'. You may as well say that Sydney's population is 'creeping towards' 10 million. As for the 'heat island effect', there lies the dilemma. It's a fact that green leafy suburbs are several degrees cooler yet to cease urban sprawl, we need higher population density which means less greenery and trees.

    Commenter
    Trev
    Date and time
    Fri Aug 07 03:03:02 UTC 2015

    • Actually Trev, if we wish to preserve the greenery in and around Perth we need to concentrate development in existing suburbs. The phenomenon of exurbs, those frontier outer outer suburbs that eat into the rural districts surrounding the city is not sustainable.

      Commenter
      milton
      Location
      perth
      Date and time
      Fri Aug 07 05:27:07 UTC 2015

    • You can have higher density without getting rid of the leafy greens. Just amend the planning restrictions which were just put in place and make stricter building guidelines which are on par with the rest of the world in terms of sustainabilty. ie. overhanging roofs instead of giant glass windows facing west. double glazing, better insulation. it works for hot countries too not just cold ones. that way your AC units wont need to run as much. Seems coal miners and developers in this country have way too much control.

      Commenter
      Lazza
      Location
      Scarb
      Date and time
      Fri Aug 07 05:39:03 UTC 2015

    • milton, they're concentrating on development in my suburb at the moment. The result? A lot less trees and gardens, but an awful lot more roofs and concrete. You cannot attain higher density without getting rid of the, apparently superfluous, trees and greenery.

      Commenter
      Trev
      Date and time
      Fri Aug 07 06:48:50 UTC 2015

    • @Trev. It is quite easy to achieve higher population density while retaining (and increasing) parks and gardens in a suburb. To achieve this you will need to build upwards, something which Perth refuses to accept. It explains why we have the lowest proportion of multi-dwelling properties out of all the capital cities. As @milton has pointed out, continual urban expansion will destroy existing outer city rural lands.

      Commenter
      bio logical
      Location
      perth
      Date and time
      Fri Aug 07 07:59:09 UTC 2015

    • Trev, yes you can. Infilling at only 1 or 2 stories creates a loss of green space and vegetation. If you increase density vertically you can maintain a lot more green space. Unfortunately in this state our development rules are make going upwards impossible, thus you have units and townhouses only, which like you say remove vegetation

      Commenter
      WEE
      Date and time
      Fri Aug 07 09:17:17 UTC 2015

  • we need to shake this addiction to population growth. The human race the world over needs to learn to live within our means or else, after we've driven every other animal into extinction, we'll follow ourselves

    Commenter
    wee
    Date and time
    Fri Aug 07 05:05:45 UTC 2015

    • What are you advocating then. a one child policy?

      I think we need to build greener buildings, vines hanging down walls, rooftop gardens, atrium features, window boxes etc. They do this well overseas, I've seen many examples in magazines and documentaries. Not only does it cool the dwellings down, it beautifies the locations where they exist, plus it reduces pollution and increases air quality. We could train teams of gardeners to maintain the plantings and architects/engineers to ensure the installations are hydroponically sustainable. All that will add to employment.

      Commenter
      cathy247
      Location
      Wembley W.A.
      Date and time
      Fri Aug 07 13:57:08 UTC 2015

  • And yet councils and residents largely despise tree lined streets. Where are the coolest suburbs in Perth..? the old leafy eastern suburbs with trees in front of every house..

    it could happen again in the newer suburbs but then that would ruin the view of your neighbours McMansion right?

    Commenter
    Rudy
    Date and time
    Fri Aug 07 05:51:10 UTC 2015

    • Move them up North and leave my South. I'll never sell my 10 acre block and so should no one else that owns one.

      Commenter
      Jack
      Date and time
      Fri Aug 07 05:55:10 UTC 2015

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