Major reforms to the State’s planning laws have been passed the Legislative Assembly and now referred to the Legislative Council for debate.
According to the Minister for Planning, Rita Saffioti, the reforms are the culmination of three years of extensive consultation by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage which have now been brought forward to support the wider economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Saffioti said the series of amendments to planning legislation and regulations would simplify the planning system, cut red tape and increase support for small business.
“Upon the passing of the legislation, a new development application process will be immediately introduced to support significant, job-creating projects for the next 18 months to provide immediate support for the State’s economic recovery,” Ms Saffioti said.
“The legislative reforms will be supported by changes to planning regulations and State planning policies, and will add to the launch of Design WA policies last year which prioritise the importance of good design in planning and development.”
She said that further proposed changes in the reforms would provide flexibility for small businesses, improve community engagement requirements and increase the number of exemptions for approval.
“The majority of the proposed amendments are part of the Government’s Action Plan on Planning Reform and follow three years of consultation to remove barriers in the planning system, provide greater clarity and consistency for users of the system and reduce the administrative burden on the State’s 139 Local Governments,” the Minister said.
She said innovation and growth thrived when the right systems were in place.
“The planning system also prospers when it works with the community from the start, and strengthened processes are a key part of our reforms,” Ms Saffioti said.
