TBB Reacts: Planning Reforms 2023

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Planning Reform P L A N N I N G A N D D E V E LO P M E N T A M E N D M E N T B I L L 2 0 2 3

REFORM 1:

Significant Development Pathway T H E D E TA I L S

TBB REACTS

New permanent ‘opt-in’ significant development pathway to determine complex development applications of a value exceeding $20 million in the Perth and Peel regions or exceeding $5 million in regional WA.

This is an excellent outcome.

It capitalises on the success of temporary SDAU pathway and is a highly advantageous addition to our planning system.

REFORM 2:

Single House Application Determination T H E D E TA I L S

TBB REACTS

Reforms to ensure single houses are to be determined under delegated authority by local government officers rather than Council (unless subject to heritage considerations).

This is likely beneficial to ‘mum and dad’ developers seeking to navigate the approvals system, and should hopefully lead to more consistent and efficient decision making for low risk applications.

REFORM 3:

Reforms to Development Assessment Panels T H E D E TA I L S

1. Reduction from five to three panels.

2. Full time, permanent specialist members.

3. Fully opt-in system for development above $2 million.

4. Any Community Housing project can opt-in.

TBB REACTS

Whilst we are generally supportive of the DAP Reforms, the only new element here is community housing projects under $2 million being eligible to opt in, which we expect will be seldom required. We are still eagerly awaiting the release of the draft Regulations to confirm the detail.

REFORM 4:

Efficiency in Planning Process T H E D E TA I L S

Amending a range of planning processes under the Planning and Development Act 2005 to make them more efficient and streamlined.

TBB REACTS

These are each sensible reforms which will provide greater processing efficiency for the DPLH and Local Government, and better align strategic planning and statutory decision making.

REFORM 5:

Reform of the WA Planning Commission T H E D E TA I L S

Actioning the recommended reforms to the Western Australian Planning Commission to increase its efficiency and ensure it has a greater strategic focus.

TBB REACTS

The reform of the WAPC board and function very much align with the overall objective to improve efficiency, consistency, coordination and effectiveness of decision making.

Read more: https://bit.ly/planningreforms23