Stay Informed - Shire Planning Services

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This page has been created to assist the Shire in communicating specifically with planning, building, design and development professionals. We intend to update the page on a regular basis to keep you informed of matters which we feel may be of importance or interest to you and your work.

If you wish to receive regular updates, then please register under 'Stay Informed' (right hand side of the page).

We look forward to keeping in touch and working with you to achieve great development outcomes.

This page has been created to assist the Shire in communicating specifically with planning, building, design and development professionals. We intend to update the page on a regular basis to keep you informed of matters which we feel may be of importance or interest to you and your work.

If you wish to receive regular updates, then please register under 'Stay Informed' (right hand side of the page).

We look forward to keeping in touch and working with you to achieve great development outcomes.

  • New coastal research aims to keep coastal areas safer

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    The Shire has engaged a surveying company to undertake a coastal investigation along a 2.5km stretch of coastline in Augusta, starting at Albany Terrace to the north adjacent to Blackwood River entrance and Davies Road and Dawson Way connection to the south.

    The investigation will use specialised testing and surveying equipment to define areas of natural sand dunes and underlying rock profile. The outcomes of this investigation will provide an improved understanding of the long-term risks from coastal processes (i.e. sea level rise, storm surge events) and information to develop management responses to risks.

    These works are programmed to commence Monday 21 March 2022, and it is anticipated that works will be completed by 25 March 2022. There may be minor traffic diversions, so please follow traffic controllers’ directions. The investigation will be undertaken on Shire coastal reserve land and with the exception of traffic control, there is expected to be minimal disturbance to adjacent residents and no environmental impacts.

    Sustainability Planning Officer Jared Drummond said the investigation is a valuable exercise.

    “The outcomes of the investigation will provide the Shire and local community with a greater insight and adaptation responses to address the changing coastal environment.”

    Should you have any further enquiries regarding these works, please contact the Shire’s Sustainability Planning Officer Jared Drummond, (08) 9780 5268 or via email at jdrummond@amrshire.wa.gov.au

  • Bond Agreements for Subdivision Works

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    New protocols make achieving early clearance easy.

    The Shire has today released documentation to assist subdividers seeking to bond subdivisional works.

    The template bond agreement for bonds of less than $10,000 will remove the need for legal agreements and allow for smaller bonds to be dealt with simply and efficiently.

    Information is also provided to guide the preparation of legal agreements and caveats where bonds amount to over $10,000.

  • Margaret River Main Street a ‘Great Place’

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    The newly revitalised Margaret River Main Street has been recognised as a ‘Great Place’ at last week’s Planning Institute of Australia (WA) Awards for Excellence.


    The commendation recognised the success of the Main Street Makeover project in revitalising the centre of town and creating a sense of place for community members and visitors alike.


    It was identified the improved pedestrian and cycling environment drew people to the CBD more often and for longer period, benefiting local businesses and the economic sustainability of the region.


    “Great places have a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow,” the Institute said.
    “A great place is one that attracts, inspires and motivates people.
    It has a great atmosphere. It’s a place that people are proud of.
    It sparks an individual sense of pride and contributes to the overall community wellbeing. It brings people together whether to eat, drink, sleep, play or work.”


    Shire of Augusta Margaret River Director of Corporate and Community Service James Shepherd attended the celebration and accepted the commendation award on behalf of the project team.
    “This commendation is an award we share with the whole community,” he said.
    “There’s a great deal of ownership over the townsite which is such a positive thing.
    It’s because of this passion, input and involvement that we’ve been able to achieve such a great outcome which we know will stand the test of time.
    Thank you to all who participated in the consultations, working groups and the project groups.”


    The Shire congratulates the Shire of Broome who was awarded the overall Great Place winner for their Town Beach (Guwarri) Project.

  • Design Review of Development Proposals

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    On the 28 July 2021, Council adopted a local planning policy (Local Planning Policy 2) which requires that design review take place for particular development proposals.


    Design Review is the independent evaluation of a development proposal by a group of experts, normally consisting of architects, landscape architects and urban designers amongst others.


    Local Planning Policy 2 requires that Design Review occurs for the following types of development before submission of a development application:

    • New developments and large-scale additions in Towns and Village Centres;
    • Large scale development outside of the towns and village centres in prominent locations;
    • Proposals meeting the mandatory threshold for a development assessment panel (10 million dollar development value).


    The Shire is in the process of establishing a joint development assessment panel with the City’s of Bunbury, Busselton and the Shire’s of Harvey and Collie.

    Until the Joint Design Review Panel is operational, the Shire will appoint appropriately qualified consultants to undertake a design review, where proposals meet with the trigger points outlined in the policy.


    Where design review is undertaken prior to lodgement there will be no cost to the applicant as outlined in the policy.


    To view the Design Review Information Sheet click here.


    If you have any further questions on this process, feel free to contact the Shires Planning Staff on (08) 9780 5220.

  • The Role of Town Planning in responding to Climate Change

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    Climate Emergency Australia will be hosting a 60 minute webinar on Innovation in Planning for Climate Change at 10am on the 28 October

    In the webinar, we will hear from three leading Australian practitioners:

    • Rachel O'Leary from Waverley Council, on future proofing residential development to climate change;
    • Euan Williamson, from the City of Yarra, on achieving zero carbon developments through planning amendments; and
    • Jane Keddie, from Hansen Partnership, on a recently completed review of the climate suitability of the Victorian planning system and the national climate conscious planning systems campaign.

    This is a great opportunity to hear new ideas in practice and learn how planning needs to shift to better respond to climate change.

    You can register at:

    https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/innovation-in-planning-for-climate-change-tickets-191522036567

  • R-Codes Updated

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    On the 2 July the WAPC released an updated version of State Planning Policy 7.3 – ‘Residential Design Codes’ which contain a raft of changes.

    The WAPC advise that the changes:

    • provide more generous deemed-to-comply provisions to address common triggers that have previously necessitated a development application for small-scale developments, such as outbuildings, patios, retaining walls, and boundary walls
    • bring provisions in line with contemporary home design, including higher floor to ceiling heights and various roof forms
    • simplify tables and figures to improve readability and assist assessment
    • improve outdoor living areas and landscaping to enhance outdoor lifestyle
    • remove the requirement for development approval for single houses (that meet the deemed-to-comply provisions) on lots under 260m2.

    Builders, designers and architects are encouraged to give particular attention to the tree planting and front landscaping requirements which can be found at Part 5 (C2.2) of the Codes. Information provided to the Shire for assessment should demonstrate compliance with this section.


  • New Local Planning Strategy adopted

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    The Shire of Augusta Margaret River Council has adopted a new local planning strategy to guide land use and population change across the region over the next 15 years.

    The new strategy was adopted by Council on 12 May and is now awaiting final approval from the Western Australian Planning Commission.

    Shire Manager Planning and Development Services Matt Cuthbert said development of the strategy had been guided by an extensive consultation process to ensure it was in line with community aspirations and values.



    “The strategy explores a number of issues and actions that came directly from the consultation process,” he said.

    “This not only helped formulate a robust strategy, but it gives the community a greater sense of ownership over planning for the region’s future.”

    The strategy focuses the Shire’s attention on areas of importance, such as landscape, character and the natural environment.

    These areas will be supported by refocusing planning intervention away from low-risk development and shifting it to developments that pose a real risk to community amenity, environmental conservation and landscape character.

    Mr Cuthbert said a key point of difference from its 2011 precursor was that this strategy did not identify new land for development and instead focused on accommodating population change through better use of land already committed to future development.

    See a full copy of the new strategy clicking here.

  • Advertisement of Draft Local Planning Policy No. 7 - Short Stay Accommodation

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    The changes to the policy will remove the ability for grouped dwellings to be used for holiday house purposes within proximity to the Margaret River Town Centre (as shown on policy plan 1). Owners of a property falling into this category will be notified of this change as it may affect the use of your property into the future.


    The purpose of the change is to ensure that sufficient smaller, well located and more affordable long term rental accommodation continues to be available.

    The changes would apply to new applications only. If you have an existing holiday house approval, these will continue to be honoured and you will still be able to apply for a renewal of your approval. However please note, that if your approval expires (i.e. you do not apply for a renewal 3 months prior to it lapsing) then a new application is unlikely to be approved if the proposed changes are adopted.

    The draft Policy LPP No.7 can be viewed by Clicking Here

    Any person wishing to comment on the Draft LPP No. 7 can complete the submission form online (Submission Form LPP No 7). If you would like a hard copy of the submission form please email spdplanning@amrshire.wa.gov.au(External link), contact 97805 220 to request a copy or visit the Shire Offices during normal office hours.

    Submissions are to be lodged by 4.00pm Wednesday 28 April 2021.


    If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Shire’s Planning and Development Services on (08) 9780 5220.


  • Advertisement of Draft Local Planning Policy No. 1 - Outbuildings, Farm Buildings and Swimming Pools

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    Modifications are proposed to the Local Planning Policy No.1, with the aim of reducing the number of planning applications required for sheds and water tanks. Below is a summary of the key changes:

    • Floor area limits changed to relate to lot size rather than a single requirement for each zone;
    • Relaxation of the 5m side setback requirement where sheds and water tanks are located behind the dwelling on R5 and lower coded lots;
    • Clarification on wall height measurement for different roof types, particularly skillion roofs.
    The draft Policy LPP No. 1 can be viewed by clicking here

    Any person wishing to comment on the Draft LPP No. 1 can complete the submission form online (Submission Form LPP No 1), if you would like a hard copy of the submission form please email spdplanning@amrshire.wa.gov.au, contact 97805 220 to request a copy or visit the Shire Offices during normal office hours.

    Submissions are to be lodged by 4.00pm Thursday 22 April 2021.

    If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Shire’s Planning and Development Services on (08) 9780 5220.





  • Planning Consultation Hub

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    Find out about planning projects and proposals which are currently open for consultation and have a say on what’s happening in your community here.

    Here you will find community consultations on major development applications, structure plans, scheme amendments and more.

Page last updated: 16 Mar 2022, 08:29 AM