State planning framework

The State Planning Strategy provides the strategic context for planning and development decisions throughout the State.

State planning policies provide the highest level of planning policy control and guidance in Western Australia. Planning codes have the status of subsidiary legislation and deal with any matter that can be dealt with by a local planning scheme.

Development control and operational polices guide decision making in relation to subdivision and development applications.

Position statements provide a statement setting out the policy position of the WAPC with respect to a particular matter.

Fact sheets, guidelines and manuals provide detailed guidance on the application of Western Australian Planning Commission policies.

Planning bulletins provide advice on legislation, planning practice, subdivision and development control, and policy positions of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).

Inactive-repealed policies is a collection of land use planning policies and documents that are no longer current or used in decision making, these may have been superseded or are no longer required.

Introduction of new regulations under the Planning and Development Act 2005 to provide better guidance on the process to make, amend and repeal State planning policies and Planning codes.

These strategies provide for the comprehensive planning of regions, sub-regions or particular locations to guide change in the short, medium and long term.

Liveable Neighbourhoods is a Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) operational policy that guides the structure planning and subdivision for greenfield and large brownfield (urban infill) sites.

Design WA is a State Government initiative to ensure good design is at the centre of all development in Western Australia.

Reforms to strata legislation and the introduction of new land tenure types in Western Australia.

In the event that the Western Australian Government declares a State of Emergency, the Minister for Planning can apply exemptions against local planning schemes.

Amendments to the Planning and Development Act 2005 will support the State’s economic recovery from COVID-19.