Western Australia’s Swan Canning Riverpark is renowned for its natural beauty, cultural significance and wide variety of recreation activities. The Riverpark includes the Swan and Canning rivers and the public foreshore reserves surrounding them. It is a popular tourism destination and an integral part of Perth’s landscape and economy. This page will tell you how to obtain a tourism approval in and around the Swan and Canning rivers.
Legislation:
Overview
DBCA is responsible for the management of the Swan and Canning rivers. DBCA approves commercial activities permits and makes recommendations on development proposed in the Swan Canning Development Control Area (DCA) to the Minister for Environment. The Swan River Trust also has responsibilities for the Swan and Canning rivers and provides independent, strategic advice to DBCA to help protect the rivers.
Tourism businesses can enhance enjoyment of the Riverpark for the whole community by helping visitors experience nature and appreciate the Riverpark’s recreation, wildlife and heritage. These activities are managed through commercial activities permits granted by DBCA. Where development of infrastructure is required on land or water to support the business, a development approval and/or lease may also be required.
Commercial activities permits allow tourism activities to be assessed, authorised, managed and monitored to ensure the protection and long-term enjoyment of the Swan and Canning rivers. These approvals have conditions or terms that must be met by those operating in the Riverpark.
Tourism developments that involve infrastructure on or adjacent to the Swan and Canning rivers, within the DCA, may require approval from the Minister for Environment.
If you require assistance or would like to discuss your proposal at any stage, please contact Rivers and Estuaries, Statutory Assessments Unit, on 9219 9000 or at rivers.planning@dbca.wa.gov.au.
Timelines
Show moreCommercial activities permits
Permit applications for standard charter vessel operations can be processed and approved within 28 days (often sooner) once all relevant information has been received.
Other commercial activity applications may require referrals to other agencies such as the Department of Transport – Marine Safety and/or the relevant local government, and can take up to 42 days to process once all relevant information has been received.
New commercial activities proposed in the DCA, or complex applications that require a higher level of assessment, may result in extended processing times.
Development applications
The timeline for assessing development applications is variable and depends on the quality of information provided with the application and how complex the proposal is.
The Part 5 development assessment process is likely to take 4-6 months from the time that a valid application is lodged.
Key aspects of the approval process include:
- local government forwards the application to DBCA (local governments must forward the application within 7 days)
- referrals are sent to relevant agencies who are given 42 days to provide a response
- first draft report preparation
- consideration at the Swan River Trust Board meeting (board meetings are held once a month and the agenda close is two weeks prior to the meeting)
- advertising on DBCA’s website of the draft report to allow the public to comment on the proposal (at least 14 days)
- amendment of draft report if responses are received during advertising
- the Swan River Trust Board may be consulted on the responses received during advertising
- review and finalisation of the report
- Ministerial decision
Please consider the above when planning to submit a development application.
Before you apply
Show morePrior to making an application, please refer to the map to confirm your proposed activity or development is within the Swan Canning Development Control Area and needs an approval from DBCA.
DBCA also encourages prospective applicants to get in contact before submitting an application. They can let you know what kind of approval you’ll need and help you prepare your application. They can also provide some upfront advice, including what policies may apply to your proposal, which government agencies they may refer your application to, and what conditions your approval might include.
You can get in contact with the Swan Canning Riverpark planning team at rivers.planning@dbca.wa.gov.au or complete their online enquiry quiz.
Application process – commercial activities permits
Show moreDBCA welcomes tourism activity proposals in the DCA. Before applying, please refer to DBCA’s Corporate Policy Statement 46 – Planning for Commercial Operations in the Swan Canning Development Control Area. Your application will be assessed to ensure it is consistent with this policy. The DBCA website has this and other relevant documents to consider when preparing your application on its: Polices, plans and guidelines manual webpage.
Please be aware that commercial activities cannot operate on the river without:
- Landowner consent (if any part of the activity takes place on land outside of the River reserve)
- A registered ABN;
- Public liability insurance (minimum $20,000,000 coverage);
- Certificate of survey (for vessels); and
- Certificate of Operation (unless exempt).
How to apply
A copy of the application form can be downloaded here: Form 8 – Commercial activities permit application
You can email your completed form to rivers.planning@dbca.wa.gov.au.
For more information on how to apply and preparing your application, please refer to DBCA’s website: Commercial activities permits in the Swan Canning Riverpark.
Stages of the application
The stages of a commercial activities permit are illustrated in the figure below.
Application process – applications for development
Show moreBefore you apply for a development application, DBCA would encourage you to get in contact to discuss your proposal. You can get in contact with the Swan Canning Riverpark planning team at rivers.planning@dbca.wa.gov.au or complete their online enquiry quiz.
You are also encouraged to visit DBCA’s Polices, plans and guidelines manual page on its website. Your application will be assessed to ensure it is consistent with DBCA and other state policy.
How to apply
A copy of the application form can be downloaded here: Form 1 – Application for development.
Email your completed application form, and any additional plans or information, to the local government and cc rivers.planning@dbca.wa.gov.au so that DBCA is aware that the application has been submitted.
For more information on how to apply and preparing your application, please refer to DBCA’s website:
Making an application for development in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Stages of the application
The stages of a development application are illustrated in the figure below.
