WANNEROO Mayor Tracey Roberts has called for the State Government to relocate some departments to the City of Wanneroo, after the latest population growth predictions.
Mrs Roberts said the City was a logical choice if the State Government was considering relocating departments after it was named the local government area with the biggest growth in WA.
“By creating employment in our City 25km outside Perth, it would have the effect of lessening traffic snarls in the northern suburbs, something which is becoming an increasing problem,” she said.
“Sixty thousand people are leaving the area every day for work.
“A State Government department in the City of Wanneroo would not only provide jobs directly, it would provide spin-off employment to other businesses and retail outlets surrounding it.”
Last week, Planning Minister John Day said the latest population projections, which include the doubling of Wanneroo’s population between 2006 and 2026, reinforced the Government’s planning and infrastructure strategy.
The population projections forecast Wanneroo to have the largest growth in the metropolitan region, with an increase of 128,000 people to 278,100 by 2026.
Wanneroo was one of 10 local government areas expected to double in size in that time, while the City of Joondalup would grow by 24,000 to 188,400 people.
Mrs Roberts said she was pleased the State Government forecasts now matched the City’s predictions, and it was encouraging it made specific reference to Wanneroo.
“We are all going to be moving forward together,” she said.
Mrs Roberts pointed out the City had no freeway and only one railway station within its boundaries and said as well as transport infrastructure, a growing population needed sport and recreation areas, schools and health facilities.
“Planning definitely needs to start with regards to what facilities they will have and how they will be serviced,” she said.
Mrs Roberts said people moving into Wanneroo came from other parts of Perth and WA, interstate and overseas.
“They probably find it affordable (and) it’s exciting to build vibrant communities,” Mrs Roberts said.