Western Australian Planning Commission

Western Australian Planning Commission
Name	Western Australian Planning Commission
Formation	1955
Type	Statutory authority
Headquarters	Perth, Western Australia
Jurisdiction	Western Australia
Parent agency	Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

Western Australian Planning Commission is a statutory authority responsible for land use planning and strategic development in Western Australia. The commission coordinates statewide planning, statutory instruments, and major project assessments across metropolitan and regional areas. It interacts with agencies such as the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, local government authorities, and infrastructure providers to implement policies affecting Perth, Peel, Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

History

The commission traces origins to post‑World War II planning reforms influenced by international models such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, United Nations planning recommendations and Australian state commissions like the Town and Country Planning Act 1944 reforms. Its formal establishment in 1955 followed precedents set by bodies including the Metropolitan Planning Authority (UK) and planning inquiries related to the Stephenson-Hepburn Report and metropolitan reviews that shaped modern Perth. Over decades the commission evolved alongside statutory changes such as the Town Planning and Development Act 1928 amendments and the later introduction of the Planning and Development Act 2005. Influences from infrastructure projects like the Ord River Scheme, the expansion of the Goldfields-Esperance region and urbanisation trends mirrored in studies by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute informed its strategic remit. Leadership has included commissioners appointed under successive state administrations, often intersecting with initiatives led by premiers such as Richard Court, Geoff Gallop and Colin Barnett.

Legal Framework and Governance

The commission operates under legislation including the Planning and Development Act 2005 and associated regulations, and is administratively linked to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. Governance arrangements involve ministerial oversight from the Minister for Planning (Western Australia), statutory appointments by the Governor of Western Australia and interactions with courts such as the State Administrative Tribunal (Western Australia). Its decisions are shaped by instruments comparable to those under the Environmental Protection Act processes when environmental approvals intersect, and by coordination with land management entities including Landgate, transport agencies like the Public Transport Authority (Western Australia), and utilities providers. Intergovernmental relations extend to Commonwealth frameworks exemplified by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and cross‑jurisdictional agreements with other states such as Victoria and New South Wales on planning best practice.

Functions and Responsibilities

The commission’s core functions include preparing statewide planning strategies, approving metropolitan region schemes, and assessing planning proposals for major developments. It directs strategic land use planning for urban centres including Perth, Fremantle, Joondalup, and regional hubs like Bunbury and Broome. Responsibilities encompass coordination with statutory authorities such as local governments including the City of Perth and regional councils, input to infrastructure projects like the Metronet rail program, and oversight of rezoning and subdivision approvals affecting precincts tied to entities like the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation sites and university campuses such as The University of Western Australia. The commission also liaises with industry stakeholders including developers tied to projects near resources regions like Karratha and the Pilbara, and heritage bodies such as the National Trust of Australia (WA).

Planning Instruments and Policies

The commission promulgates instruments such as the Metropolitan Region Scheme, the Peel Region Scheme and region planning schemes for areas including the South West and Gascoyne. Policy outputs reference state strategies on housing led by bodies like the Housing Authority of Western Australia, transport integration aligning with the Public Transport Authority (Western Australia) and environmental protections reflecting inputs from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. It issues development control policies, structure plans, and subdivision guides that interact with statutes like the Environment Protection Act when assessments are required. Strategic documents have intersected with national programs such as the National Urban Policy and urban renewal projects comparable to initiatives in Melbourne and Sydney.

Major Projects and Regional Planning

The commission has overseen approvals and strategic input for major projects including the Perth Airport expansion, the Metronet program, and regional infrastructure tied to the Roy Hill and Fortescue Metals Group developments in the Pilbara. It contributes to regional planning frameworks for the Kimberley, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions, coordinating with agencies like the Pilbara Development Commission and the Kimberley Development Commission. Urban renewal precincts such as the East Perth Redevelopment and Fremantle harbour area, and growth area planning for suburbs including Ellenbrook and Byford, have required its regulatory decisions. Cross‑sector projects often link with Australian initiatives like the National Broadband Network rollout and national freight strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement and Decision-making

Decision‑making follows statutory consultation processes involving local governments such as the City of Fremantle, community organisations including the Rotary Club of Perth and industry groups like the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA). The commission conducts public advertising of scheme amendments, hearings before panels akin to those in the State Administrative Tribunal (Western Australia), and liaises with Indigenous representative bodies such as the Aboriginal Heritage Act consultative mechanisms and native title parties represented under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). Engagement extends to academic partners like Curtin University and think‑tanks including the Committee for Perth.

Criticisms and Controversies

Critiques have focused on perceived tensions between development approvals and heritage protection involving sites in Fremantle and The Rocks‑style precinct disputes, alleged delays in metropolitan servicing tied to projects such as Metronet, and controversies over regional resource project approvals in the Pilbara and Kimberley. Debates have involved environmental groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and legal challenges in the State Administrative Tribunal (Western Australia). Additional controversies include scrutiny of decisions affecting housing affordability in growth corridors like Ellenbrook and infrastructure funding disputes with state treasuries and ministers including past interactions under premiers like Mark McGowan.

Category:Planning authorities in Australia