Building and renovation approvals fast-tracked

• Reducing planning red tape for homeowners, small business and industry 

• One form, one process across all local government planning applications

• Draft regulations part of the State Government's phase two planning reforms  

Planning approval to add an R-Code (residential design codes) compliant patio, carport/garage, pool or granny flat to your home will no longer be needed under proposed changes to Western Australian planning laws.

Planning Minister John Day said under phase two of WA's planning reforms, the change could reduce the time it takes Western Australian homeowners to renovate or build by two months.     

This is just one of the proposals identified by the State Government to reduce red tape in WA's planning system.  The changes are included in the draft Local Planning Schemes Regulations, which open for public comment today. 

Mr Day said the draft regulations would make planning approvals consistent across all local governments in WA and streamline the planning process, saving people time and money.

"Local government planning approaches and rules can differ greatly between neighbouring suburbs, causing undue frustration and lengthy timeframes for simple works," he said.

Under the changes, small-to-medium businesses would no longer need to seek approval to change a property from one permitted use to another.

"Owners will be able to open the doors to their new business faster," the Minister said.

Mr Day said one-third of the 30 metropolitan councils currently required planning approval for single houses, even if they complied with the R-Codes.

"Although building permits will still be required, removing the need for planning approval for R-Code-compliant single dwellings will substantially reduce the time it takes for construction to start," he said.

"This change could have a financial benefit for West Australians building new homes." 

The regulations also introduce a three-tier risk-based approach to local scheme amendments to reflect their level of complexity, enabling local governments to focus resources on more complex amendments. 

The Minister encouraged people with an interest in reducing red tape to have their say.

       Fact File

• Submissions close 5pm, January 30, 2015, with regulations to be finalised mid-2015

• The draft Local Planning Schemes Regulations will amend and replace Town Planning Regulations 1967 and the associated Model Scheme Text

• The Model Scheme Text is the overarching template for all local government schemes

• For more information, visit http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/lps

Minister's office - 6552 6200

What do the proposed changes to the planning system mean for you? 

Build or renovate straight away - wherever you live in the State, certain types of development will now be exempt* from needing planning approval if R-Code compliant**.  Exemptions include internal building changes; any single dwelling, ancillary dwelling (such as a granny flat), outbuilding, verandah, patio, carport or garage that complies with the R-Codes and any relevant local planning policy; and any boundary fence, pergola or swimming pool.

*Unless other laws such as the Heritage of Western Australia Act (1990) or bush fire regulations apply.

**Must comply with all relevant 'Deemed to Comply' requirements of State Planning Policy 3.1 Residential Design Codes.

Simple language - the content of planning schemes has been made much easier to understand, with less legalistic language. Homeowners will find it easier to deal with local government planning framework.

One process across all local governments - planning processes will be the same across all local government areas. The process and application forms to build an extension on a property in Ballajura will now be the same as in Broome, for example.

No stress for basic scheme amendments - the process for pursuing a basic or standard amendment to a local scheme will be easier. If a proposal is for something simple such as an administrative change, or to bring a scheme in line with a strategic planning decision that has already been made, it will be much quicker and easier to amend the scheme than for proposals which have impacts on a wider scale or which do not fit the already established strategic framework.

Streamlined structure plan process - the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) will delegate some structure plans to relevant local governments for determination. This means proponents will now only have to deal with one final decision-maker, WAPC or the delegated local government.

Fewer approvals for business - Business owners of small-to-medium sized businesses can change the type of business run from a property without seeking planning approval if it is still a permitted land-use. For example, some local governments currently require business owners to seek planning approval to change the use of premises from a local shop to a hairdresser, even though both uses are permitted in the local planning scheme.