The new Planning and Development Amendment (Metropolitan Region Scheme) Bill 2024 to modernise the 60-year-old Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) has passed through State Parliament.
The successful passage of the Bill is a major step towards delivering a new contemporary and streamlined MRS, which was first established in 1963.
Changes under the updated MRS will:
- introduce modern terminology and information on the purpose of the MRS, and zones and reserves to plan for future strategic land use;
- include provisions for the Western Australian Planning Commission to prepare and approve district structure plans and region planning scheme policies and special control areas;
- in most cases, remove the requirement for development approvals on zoned land; and
- simplify development approvals by removing unnecessary red tape and double handling of applications.
The modernised MRS will become operational following a transition period to 31 March 2025 allowing local governments and industry stakeholders to prepare for the changes in their planning processes.
For more information about the new Bill and the MRS visit: Metropolitan Region Scheme (www.wa.gov.au)
