The City's planning framework consists of a hierarchy of documents that guide how land is used and developed across Mandurah. Understanding which documents apply to your property or proposal is an important first step in the planning process. These documents should be read in conjunction with the legislation, regulations and plans that make up the planning framework in Western Australia:
Local Planning Scheme No 12 (Scheme 12) is the City's primary statutory planning tool. It sets out the zones, land uses and development requirements that apply to all land within the City of Mandurah.
The content and format of a scheme is informed by the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 as the scheme must follow the Model Provisions set out in Schedule 1 of the Regulations.
The Scheme comprises:
Peel Region Scheme
Scheme 12 is required to be consistent with the Peel Region Scheme, which is administered by the Western Australian Planning Commission and applies to regionally significant land uses and reserved land.
The Western Australian Planning Commission has determined certain types of development that require approval under the Peel Region Scheme and has delegated a number of functions to local government through its resolutions and instruments of delegation.
Scheme Amendments
Schemes need to be amended from time to time, and Council may resolve to amend its scheme at its own initiative, or at the request of a landowner or proponent.
There are three types of amendments that can be undertaken:
The Western Australian Planning Commission is required to prepare and keep under review planning policies as a basis to co-ordinate and promote land use planning, transport planning and land development in a sustainable manner, and for the guidance of public authorities and local governments on these matters. State Planning Policies are powerful polices, due to their legislative base, and because they must be applied by decision-makers and given effect in local planning strategies and schemes.
In Local Planning Scheme 12, the following State Planning Policies and Codes are included by reference:
The Local Planning Strategy sets the long-term planning direction for Mandurah. It provides the strategic basis for a local planning scheme and must be consistent with relevant state and regional planning policies.
The development of the Strategy was supported by a number of topic-specific sub-strategies however these have now been superseded by the Strategy.
The City is currently reviewing the Strategy to ensure that it aligns with the Western Australian Commission’s Guidelines and to include, where appropriate, parts of the following documents that have been recently approved by Council:
Planning decisions made by Council are to be consistent with the Local Planning Strategy.
Local Planning Scheme 12 requires the following documents to be prepared and published for consideration in planning decision making:
Local Planning Policies provide additional guidance on how the City exercises its discretion when assessing development applications. They set out matters that need to be addressed when applications are made and indicate what types of conditions may be applied.
Current Local Planning Policies include:
Structure plans establish the framework for land use and development in specific areas, including lot layout, road networks, open space and infrastructure for areas zoned Urban Development in Local Planning Scheme 12. They must be consistent with the Local Planning Strategy and State Planning requirements. They are used to assess subsequent subdivision and development applications in their respective areas and usually have a lifespan of 10 years.
All current Structure Plans are accessible through Online Mapping under the Town Planning module as a downloadable PDF or spatially by selecting Local Structure Plan Zones and Local Structure Plan R-Codes in the Layers.
Selected Structure Plan are accessible for download here:
A precinct plan informs future subdivision, zoning and development of an activity centre. Activity centres are identified under State Planning Policy 4.2. While a precinct plan can set out similar information to that of a structure plan, these types of plans have a much greater focus on urban design and development standards for when the site is developed. These design issues are more relevant to activity centres, especially redevelopment areas where scale, bulk, appearance, landscaping and sequencing of development needs to be addressed.
All Precinct Structure Plans are accessible through Online Mapping under the Town Planning module as a downloadable PDF or spatially by selecting Local Structure Plan Zones and Local Structure Plan R-Codes in the Layers.
Precinct Structure Plan are accessible for download here:
Local development plans may be prepared for land that is subdivided and has characteristics that require special attention at development stage. This may include small lots, lots serviced by laneways, narrow lots, lots abutting public open space, or residential lots in mixed-use areas. These plans are intended to address design elements such as building setbacks, building heights, parking and access requirements, and placement of private open space and ancillary dwellings to demonstrate the land is capable of being developed given the site constraints.
All current Local Development Plans are accessible through Online Mapping under the Town Planning module as a downloadable PDF if a property is selected through the search function or selecting a block with the tools available.
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