Stay Informed - Shire Planning Services

New Council Policies to drive innovation in housing

On May 10^th 2017 Council adopted Local Planning Policy 19-‘Small House Policy’ and Local Planning Policy 20-‘Sustainable Design’.

The Small House Policy provides for development incentives which allow a greater level of development on lots in defined areas, subject to the housing being suitable for aged and dependant persons.

Proposed changes to the sustainable design policy were further refined during the consultation period based upon submissions received from the public. The policy now requires that where development is subject to the policy it achieves a ‘6 star plus 1’ rating based upon the BCA star rating system. Greywater ready plumbing is also now a requirement.

Both policies are aimed at creating a more diverse and sustainable housing stock in order to meet the demands of future residents.

You are able to view the polices here

On the 22 March 2017 Council adopted Local Planning Policy 17 – Exemptions from Planning Approval following a period of public consultation.

The adoption of LPP17 means that three additional development types are exempt from requiring planning approval. This includes the erection of a single house, minor additions or alterations to a dwelling (including ancillary dwellings) within the rural residential and rural zones and also minor additions (such as annexes) to existing caravans located in caravan parks.

The policy represents another way in which the Shire are proactively working to reduce development timeframes for compliant development.

The policy can be viewed here

On 22^nd February, Council resolved to initiate advertising of the Shire’s ‘Small House Policy’.

The policy responds to the increasing demand for affordable accommodation in particular that which is suitable for aged and dependant persons.

The policy effectively provides a density bonus to lots within defined areas. This will allow some lots to be developed with an additional dwelling, subject to that dwelling be no greater than 100m2 and designed to meet the needs of aged and dependant persons.

You can find the draft policy here

Please take the time and make a submission!

On the 24^th February 2017, Director of Sustainable Development Dr Dale Putland will open a free industry event which will promote the benefits of sustainable housing design and construction.

The event will feature guest speakers from around the world, who will present on such topics as renewable energy systems and solar passive design.

Information on the event can be found here

The Shire strongly supports measures which can be implemented to improve the sustainability of residential dwellings. We hope to see you there....

On 18^th January, Shire staff, Councillors and approximately 50 members of the Flinders Bay community met to workshop the draft Flinders Bay Masterplan.

Communtiy member Murray Jorgensen leads discussions at the workshop

The workshop is just one of many community consultation exercises which have been conducted to ensure that the Flinders Bay Masterplan reflects the needs and desires of the community now and into the future.

The Shire’s Sustainable Development staff place a high importance on early and effective consultation in the strategic planning process.

If you believe that there are ways through which we can better communicate with you, please contact us with your suggestions.

On 9 December 2016, Amendment 35 to LPS1 was published in the Government Gazette. The amendment introduces into the Scheme statutory requirements for the payment of contributions by developers towards necessary infrastructure. The contributions are payable on a per lot / dwelling basis and will be imposed by way of a condition on any relevant subdivision/development approval. As illustrated here contributions are either ‘district’ meaning that they are payable across all areas of the Shire, or ‘local’ meaning that they are only applicable where lot/dwelling creation occurs in the defined areas as illustrated on the Scheme maps. Local contributions (where applicable) are required in addition to the district level contributions. The contributions will allow the Shire to ensure the timely delivery of essential infrastructure necessary to support the growth of our settlements.

Dale is the new Director Sustainable Development and commenced Monday 21 November. Dale has been employed in a similar role at the City of Albany for the past 4 years. Prior to this Dale has worked for the Department of Planning in both the Perth and South West offices. He is looking forward to working at the AMR Shire and enjoying the Cowaramup lifestyle.

The Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, provides that specified types of development (including single houses) which comply with the deemed to comply provisions of the R-Codes do not require development approval. The Regulations provide a mechanism for persons with appropriate technical expertise to verify that a proposal does comply with the Deemed Provisions, therefore allowing it to be progressed quickly by the Shire. Verification is provided by way of a Form 6.

The Shire has amended its certified building permit checklist to recognise the verification process and encourages proponents to use the Form 6, so that compliant development can be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Both documents can be downloaded from here

Planning Bulletin 111/2016 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (PB 111/2016) supersedes the previous Planning Bulletin PB 111/2015.

PB 111/2016 provides guidance to assist with the interpretation and implementation of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, State Planning Policy 3.7; Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (SPP 3.7) and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas.

The revised Planning Bulletin clarifies:

• when SPP 3.7 should apply to proposals for habitable buildings or uses;
• when SPP 3.7 should apply to renovations, alterations, extensions, improvements or repairs of habitable buildings;
• when SPP 3.7 should apply to subdivision applications;
• the requirements applicable to subdivision and development applications assessed against SPP 3.7; and
• the meaning of habitable buildings and development site for the purposes of applying the LPS Regulations to areas designated as bushfire prone.