Local Planning Scheme Review

Under State legislation, all local governments are required to review their local planning strategy and scheme periodically to ensure they consider contemporary planning, environmental, economic and social issues.  The first step in the review of the planning framework is updating the Local Planning Strategy, which will then enable the preparation of a new Local Planning Scheme.

A Local Planning Scheme facilitates the implementation of the Local Planning Strategy. It provides guidance through rules and more detailed definitions to interpret the strategy at a local level.  A local planning scheme is used daily by Shire staff and Councillors to help make decisions on all types of planning matters such as proposed land uses and proposed works.

A Local Planning Strategy is a high level and strategic document that sets out the framework for local planning and development over the next 10 to 15 years. The recommendations of the Local Planning Strategy will provide the basis for any changes to zoning and development standards set out in the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme.  All local governments in Western Australia are required to prepare a local planning strategy under State legislation.

Key changes in the draft revised Local Planning Strategy generally may include:

• Alignment with State Government Planning Reform initiatives;
• Alignment with new State Planning Policies; and
• Response to local issues (informed by the community and stakeholder engagement process).

The Local Planning Strategy is a high level document that will identify broad strategies and key actions to be implemented at a Shire wide and neighbourhood level.  The Local Planning Strategy will not specify changes to individual property zoning.  However, the recommendations of the Strategy will inform the review of the Local Planning Scheme, which will consider changes to individual property zoning. Any changes to individual property zoning will be subject to separate landowner consultation at the time of the Scheme review.

Please contact the Shire's Planning Department via shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au or on 9290 6740.