The State Government is continuing to implement local-government-planning-reforms that will support Western Australia’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan and create a more flexible, responsive and contemporary planning system.

The aim of the reform is to streamline the approvals process for small-scale and single dwelling applications to kick-start small projects and boost the local economy.

Key changes in the draft reforms include:

• removal of approval requirements for some change of use applications to help small business
• removal of the requirement for approval for small site works which can include sheds, water tanks and other minor additions
• online publication of planning documents to remove the need for physical copies
• reduce holdups in the referral process to ensure a development application proceeds
• a broader ‘deemed-to-comply’ check for single residential dwellings
• a limit of only one further request for additional information from local governments for applications that do not require public consultation or referral
• consistent public consultation requirements for complex development applications

REIWA will be making a submission to government on the proposed reforms

View the planning reform discussion paper here.

source:reiwa