Planning for urban biodiversity in Perth, Western Australia

All people are dependent on natural areas and biological diversity (or 'biodiversity') for sustenance, health, well-being and enjoyment of life. As a greater proportion of the world's population become residents of cities, more attention is being given to the impacts of urbanisation on natural ecosystems. Urban ecological research is playing an increasingly important role in urban planning, particularly in areas with high biodiversity values. The aim of this thesis was to improve the understanding of policies and processes relating to urban biodiversity conservation, specifically in the context of Perth, Western Australia. Perth is a unique capital city, situated in an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot, and much of the land needed for new housing is still covered with original vegetation. The objectives of this study were to examine the evolution of urban planning and policy in response to biodiversity conservation, and to identify the limitations and opportunities of the Western Australian planning system to address urban biodiversity conservation. The study involved qualitative analysis of legislation, policies, planning strategies and structure plans, with a particular focus on the northwest corridor of the Perth metropolitan region. Informal interviews with representatives from State government, local government and community groups helped to fill gaps in knowledge.