The purpose of Operational Policy 2.2 Residential Subdivision is to provide guidance on the assessment of residential subdivision applications to ensure that there is an established and coordinated approach to the creation of residential lots throughout Western Australia.
The policy is not to be used to circumvent the residential coding of land to facilitate subdivision and increased density not intended under local planning frameworks.
The policy allows consideration of variations to average lot size greater than five per cent for corner lots only.
Nested subdivision proposals involve the inclusion of two or more original/parent lots and/or minor boundary adjustments between them to achieve the average lot size requirement. Staged or successive subdivision proposals involve the creation of one minimum sized lot under separate subdivision applications in order to obtain increased lot yield.
Nested and staged/successive subdivision proposals are not generally supported.
The WAPC may require lot reconfiguration to facilitate retention of significant trees and mature vegetation.
Proposed changes to OP 2.2
With the review of the Residential Design Code (R-Codes) there is an opportunity to consider consolidation of related policy instruments, to improve usability and remove duplication across planning instruments.
Operational Policy 2.2 Residential Subdivision (OP 2.2) has been reviewed, considering whether the content remained relevant, was duplicated in other documents, or could be streamlined to reduce unnecessary overlap between planning instruments and improve usability.
The review concluded the majority of provisions within OP 2.2 are covered by existing operational policy or the R-Codes. Where they are not, the content can be relocated to draft OP Subdivision.
Public comment is being sought on the proposed repeal of OP 2.2, subject to the outcome of the R-Code updates and relocation of relevant provisions into draft OP Subdivision.
For further information on the proposed changes and repeal or to provide feedback through the submission form can be accessed via:
https://haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au/op2-2repeal
