The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has declared the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2020 to be in force, with new provisions to cut red tape and support job-creating projects.
In a statement, the Department said that under the new laws, applicants seeking approval for development proposals valued at more than $20 million in metropolitan Perth, or more than $5 million in regional areas, could opt to have their proposal determined by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
It said significant developments could include large scale, mixed-use developments incorporating apartments, shops and offices, new shopping centres or plans to expand current centres, or tourism or regional projects that represent broad-ranging benefits for the State.
“The pathway is a temporary measure for job-creating projects that can support the State’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Department said.
“The amended Act includes a number of additional reform measures to provide more flexibility for small businesses, cut red tape and simplify the planning system across State and Local Governments.”
It said public consultation was now open on revisions to the R-Codes State Planning Policy to expedite approvals for single houses, multiple and grouped dwellings, and smaller structures such as patios, carports, decks and sheds.
“R-Codes are a set of density and design standards that apply to all residential development in Western Australia and specify what can be built, and where,” the Department said.
“For new homes or home extensions that currently require planning and building approvals, the revised R-Codes propose to allow Local Governments to deem more of these applications compliant, allowing applicants to proceed straight to a building permit.”
Submissions on the new R-Codes policy are open until 10 September and can be made at this PS News link.
