WA Government announces gazettal of new Local Planning Schemes regulations
The West Australian Government last week announced the gazettal of the new Local Planning Schemes regulations, which will come into effect from October 19 and potentially reduce building and renovating times by up to two months for planning compliant homes.
Planning Minister John Day said the new regulations would apply to all local governments and would make it easier for homeowners, small business and industry to obtain building and renovation approvals.
“These regulations will streamline and simplify the planning process to save property and business owners’ time and money,” Mr Day said.
“In many cases the new regulations will save residents up to 60 days when installing a planning compliant patio, carport or granny flat as they remove the need for a Development Application to be submitted to a local government.
“Likewise, renovating or constructing a new planning compliant single house will no longer require approval, and small to medium-sized businesses won’t have to seek approval to change a property from one permitted use to another.”
Finance Minister Bill Marmion said the changes reflected the State Government’s new Regulatory Reform Policy commitment.
“The new regulations will help revolutionise the current planning system. They are part of our wide-ranging commitment to streamlining services and encouraging innovation, investment and economic growth,” Mr Marmion said.
Mr Day said WA had more than 150 different local planning schemes operating in local governments across the State.
“This is a major reform that, for the first time, will introduce a consistent planning process across all schemes. These initiatives are a key part of the most comprehensive planning reform ever undertaken in WA.”
More information about the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 is available from the Department of Planning website.
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 31 August, 2015