The WAPC has state-wide responsibility for urban, rural and regional integrated strategic and statutory land use planning and land development, working in conjunction with both state and local government. The WAPC is established under the Planning and Development Act 2005 which defines its functions including:
- advising the Minister for Planning on strategic land use planning and development, legislation reform and local planning schemes
- maintaining the State Planning Strategy to provide a vision for the future development of Western Australia
- developing integrated land use planning strategies for the coordination of transport, infrastructure and development
- preparing and reviewing region schemes to cater for anticipated growth
- monitoring and forecasting land supply throughout the State and developing strategies for the timely supply of affordable residential land
- researching and developing planning methods and models relating to land use planning, land development and associated matters
- reserving and acquiring land for public purposes in region planning scheme areas
- making statutory decisions on a range of planning application types.
In June 2020, amendments were made to the Planning and Development Act 2005 to assist with the State’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating an alternative approval pathway for development proposals of State or regional significance. The WAPC is the decision-maker for these applications and is supported in this role by the State Development Assessment Unit. This pathway remains open until 29 December 2023.
The WAPC operates with the support of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage which provides professional and technical expertise, administrative services and corporate resources to assist its decision-making. Some WAPC functions such as decisions on subdivision and development applications are also delegated to the Department.
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