Significant, nation-leading planning reforms have been implemented to streamline and accelerate the delivery of housing across Western Australia from today, 1 March 2024.
- National planning reform blueprint implemented by the Cook Labor Government
- Streamlined planning processes to support housing supply and remove unnecessary barriers to timely approvals
- Enhanced Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) and introduction of Significant Development Pathway (SDP) expand approval options
Significant, nation-leading planning reforms have been introduced to streamline and speed up the delivery of housing across Western Australia from today, 1 March 2024.
The improved planning system will benefit thousands of landowners and applicants each year, with the latest tranche of planning reforms including:
- Reforms to Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) with the new Metro Inner, Metro Outer, and Regional DAPs now operational;
- The new Significant Development Pathway (SDP) now operational;
- Projects valued at $20 million or more in the Perth metropolitan area and Peel region and $5 million or more in regional areas able to be lodged with the Western Australian Planning Commission for determination;
· A new online system for lodgement and tracking of applications, and;
- A new user-friendly website available to help community members, applicants, and stakeholders navigate and understand State planning processes.
These streamlined approvals pathways, achieved through legislative and regulatory changes, aim to diversify housing options across different regions while removing barriers to speedy approvals.
The newly established SDP, which replaces the temporary Part 17 pathway introduced in 2020 for COVID-19 economic recovery, will be supported by proactive case management to ensure a decision within 120 days.
Local government will continue to contribute to the referral process, while public consultation will remain an integral part of community engagement.
With the removal of mandatory thresholds, participation in the DAP pathway is now optional for most development proposals over $2 million, promoting greater consistency in decision making through the newly formed DAPs: Metro Inner, Metro Outer and Regional.
These reforms stem from the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2023, passed by Parliament last year, together with provisions from the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2020.
In addition, six sets of amended or new regulations will reinforce these reform measures, ensuring sector-wide consistency and providing essential guidance to regulators and decision-makers.
The launch of planning.wa.gov.au coincides with these changes, providing valuable insight into planning processes and simplifying the submission and tracking of applications.
Other reforms include the revised Residential Design Codes Volume 1, scheduled for release on 8 March 2024, and changes to the Western Australian Planning Commission, scheduled for release on 1 July 2024.
Full information on these reforms is available at planning.wa.gov.au.