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PLANNING OVERHAUL TO DRIVE WA’S RECOVERY |
| The State Government has made some major announcements to improve and streamline the WA planning system today, including adopting important initiatives called for by the Property Council. The proposed reforms are the biggest changes to WA’s planning system in generations.
Major Project Assessment and Approval The headline changes gives the WA Planning Commission the authority to approve development applications for projects that cost $30 million or more. Applicants can submit development applications directly to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage for assessment where they meet the $30 million value criteria and either contain 100 or more residential units, or include a minimum of 20,000sqm in commercial developments.
Regional or tourism projects that don’t meet these criteria may also be referred to the WA Planning Commission if they are deemed to be of significance for COVID-19 recovery efforts. The Premier will be able to refer projects to the WA Planning Commission for consideration on the advice of the Minister for Planning where they are deemed to be of State significance.
The WA Planning Commission will rely on the expertise of State Government agencies to provide advice and Responsible Authority Reports (RARs) on relevant planning and non-planning considerations in deciding whether to approve these projects.
These changes will require amendments to the Planning & Development Act 2005 and the Local Planning Scheme Regulations 2015 and will be in place for 18 months. At the expiry of that 18 month period, a new Special Matters Development Assessment Panel will be established to handle significant, complex or strategic projects into the future.
Streamlining planning processes across the State Other changes aimed at cutting red tape and streamlining planning practices across the State include:
These changes will benefit small businesses in particular by removing onerous requirements and costs incurred in establishing or maintaining their businesses.
Good design and other state planning tools The State Government has confirmed it remains committed to good design outcomes and that various policies including Precinct Design, Medium Density Policy, a review of SPP 4.2: Activity Centres and a revised Liveable Neighbourhoods policy will complement existing Design WA policies.
Most of the initiatives are part of the State Government’s Action Plan on Planning reform.
Property Council WA Executive Director Sandra Brewer said the planning reforms deliver on proposals presented by the Property Council to the Minister on April 8.
“This innovation demonstrates a quick-thinking approach to putting experts in charge of resolving issues that can add expense and delay important economic projects,” Ms Brewer said
The changes announced today are also consistent with a range of measures the Property Council has called for at a national level in our plan for economic recovery, launched this morning.
“We believe that WA’s recovery depends on ensuring there’s a clear pathway for decision-making about complex developments with design and economic merit,” Ms Brewer said.
Property Council WA be focusing our advocacy efforts in coming weeks in explaining the importance of these changes to key members of parliament to persuade them to support amending legislation when it reaches State Parliament.
More information The following fact sheets provide precise details about all measures the government is proposing.
Fact Sheet 1: Planning Reforms Overview Fact Sheet 2: Significant Developments Fact Sheet 3: Special Matters DAP Fact Sheet 4: Cutting Red Tape Fact Sheet 6: Improving Community Engagement
Premier Mark McGowan and Planning Minister Rita Saffioti’s joint media release announcing the reforms is here.
Comments to the media on these changes is viewable here. |
Source; The Property Council