Urban and regional planning and property development processes are being modernised and streamlined under the new Planning and Development Act 2005.
The new legislation provides a clearer, more workable legislative framework for the planning system in Western Australia.
It brings together what were three separate planning Acts - the Western Australian Planning Commission Act 1985, the Metropolitan Region Town Planning Scheme Act 1959 and the Town Planning and Development Act 1928 into one consolidated Act, in a rewritten form.
Some of the original legislation dated back to 1928, and legislation drawn up in that era couldn’t be expected to allow for modern trends in urban development, housing density, architecture and transport.
Western Australia is a rapidly evolving place and planning for the future must take that into account. The planning system needs flexibility to incorporate new thinking into policy as it emerges.
The new Act will simplify planning processes and make them more accessible to users, providing greater consistency and certainty in planning decision-making. It will provide for an efficient and effective land use planning system in the State, and promote the sustainable use and development of land.
It will also streamline procedures for the preparation and amendment of region schemes, the review of local schemes and the subdivision of land.
The new Act requires the Western Australian Planning Commission to give local planning schemes more ‘weight’ and clear definitions will be given to circumstances that would allow a scheme to be overridden. This will help to ensure consistent decisions are made that reflect the objectives and purposes of the new legislation.
The legislation will also provide equity and fairness by extending consultation requirements, providing for more public feedback, as well as extending rights of appeal.
The Planning and Development Act 2005 was the result of extensive consultation including the release of a green bill, public notices, stakeholder forums and briefings with local government, the development industry, state agencies and other stakeholders
For more detail see our information sheet. (120 kb pdf)
See Planning Bulletin 76 (Western Australian Planning Commission web site)
