The Government’s ‘Action Plan for Planning Reform’ outlines a series of initiatives to achieve an efficient, effective, contemporary planning system which promotes well-designed land use and development solutions that respond to changing needs. Review of the Western Australian Planning Commission (‘WAPC’) to increase its efficiency and focus on strategic planning was included as a recommendation in the Action Plan. The review was conducted over 2022 and sought to build on previous feedback received on the Commission, and the direction of the Action Plan.
A key finding of the review was that the Commission plays a critical role in the WA planning system but that its structure and operation could be improved to allow it to respond to the changing context in which it operates, and to take a clearer role as an independent planning advisor and decision maker.
Recommendations regarding its structure and committees include a smaller more focussed membership with greater utility of the expertise available to the Commission through its committees, staffing and other agencies, and greater integration with its standing committees. These recommendations require legislative change.
A number of other operational recommendations relate to how it conducts its business and focus on its efficiency, integration and governance. Some of these require legislative change but the majority can progressively implemented independently.
