The Swan Valley is Western Australia's oldest wine region, with world-class wineries, breweries, distilleries, gourmet artisan goods, handcrafted wares, bustling markets, and endless experiences, just 25 minutes from the Perth CBD.

The Swan Valley local area encompasses the area of the Swan Valley Planning Act 2020, including Belhus, Baskerville, Henley Brook, Millendon, Herne Hill, West Swan, Middle Swan and parts of Caversham, Brigadoon and Upper Swan.

This is the Swan Valley’s first Local Area Plan (LAP).

A background report was published in preparation for stage one of community engagement, which is available to view in the document library.

The engagement period was from April 29 - May 31, 2024.

The community had their say via a Budgeting Activity, an online Social Map, physical interactive displays and engaged with us at our drop-in sessions.

The Budgeting Activity and Social Map were accessible online through the entire engagement period and in-person at 9 consultation events.

The community consultation received a response rate of 12 per cent of the Swan Valley population. This was made up from 514 participants in the Budgeting Activity and 148 submitted comments.

Swan Valley LAP priorities and initiatives

The community priorities for the Swan Valley Local Area are:

  • Advocate for compliant land management that conserves the rural character and heritage of the Swan Valley
  • Advocate for protection of the natural environment of the Swan Valley, including native habitat and vegetation, and groundwater access and quality
  • Address pollution, including roadside rubbish, caused by tourism.
  • Advocate for complementary development that does not detract from principal land uses, including horticulture and viticulture
  • Advocate for tourism development consistent with the Swan Valley Planning Act acknowledging the economic pressures on agricultural production
  • Advocate for improved service connections to support tourism development. Service connections include internet accessibility, wastewater management and innovative water solutions for sustainable agriculture.
  • Advocate for expanded public transport and cycling connections to schools in the Swan Valley
  • Improve hiking and biking tracks throughout the valley and along the river foreshore
  • Increase bridle trail network and improve road safety for horse riders.
  • Improve signage and address speeding on local roads
  • Advocate for safer conditions for heavy vehicles and high traffic volumes on state and local roads
  • Improve street lighting maintenance on local roads.
    • Increase accessibility to fire safety education for fire prevention and preparedness
    • Investigate the impacts of the emergency services levy on landowners in the Swan Valley Planning Area.