FAQs

A local planning scheme is a legal document that controls and manages land use and development within a local government area. Local planning schemes are made under Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2005, which sets out the general objectives of schemes, the matters which may be addressed in schemes and the requirements for review of schemes. 

The Town’s planning scheme is Local Planning Scheme No. 3, often referred to as LPS3.

The process to make a change to a Local Planning Scheme is known as a scheme amendment.

When undertaking a scheme amendment, the Town must follow the process contained in the State Government’s Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (the Regulations).

A scheme amendment must be advertised in accordance with the Regulations. The consultation period is a minimum of 42 days in the case of a standard scheme amendment.

When assessing a scheme amendment, we have a duty to consider all relevant factors in an objective and impartial manner. Submissions from the community help us by highlighting local issues and concerns.

The Western Australian Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Minister for Planning who makes the final determination on all scheme amendment applications. If the Minister agrees to grant final approval, the Town will then arrange for the scheme amendment to be published in the Government Gazette, at which point it legally comes into effect.