Planning services and public comment

Information on planning

In accordance with clause 7.3 of the City of Mandurah's Town Planning Scheme No. 3, proposals currently seeking public submissions can be viewed at Mandurah Matters.

Visit the Mandurah Matters website for projects currently open for comment

The City of Mandurah welcomes comment on advertised proposals from interested individuals, groups and organisations.

How to make a Submission

Title your submission – Remember to include the application number, site address and lot description (you will find these details in the advertisement)
State what you support or oppose. Try to be as specific as possible.
Outline why you support/oppose certain aspects, try to use your own words. While it is acceptable to copy someone else’s submission using your own words can be more beneficial.
Sign and date the submission
Include your name, email address (and if you want to your postal address/phone number) If more than one person signs the submission, make sure you include all names & email addresses
Send/submit your submission to council so that it is received before the end of the public consultation period.

What should my comments relate to?

Your comments must relate to issues that are described as ‘material planning considerations’.

Material Planning considerations can include (but are not limited to):

Overlooking/loss of privacy
Parking
Highway Safety
Traffic
Noise
State or Local Planning Policy
Previous planning decisions (including State Administrative Tribunal decisions)
Environmental considerations
Proposed uses

Matters that are often raised but are not planning considerations and cannot be considered include (but are not limited to):

The perceived loss of property value
Personal morals or views about the applicant.

A submission is a way to express your opinion and provide information. It is an opportunity to explain why the proposal should be supported, withdrawn or modified.

Making a submission is not the same as voting at an election. The number of submissions received for or against a proposal will not in itself determine the result. Your submission will assist the City of Mandurah in reviewing the proposal before proceeding.

The proposal being advertised to seek public comment does not indicate any formal support by the City of Mandurah or the Department of Planning/WAPC.

Submissions cannot be made at any time. Legally, there is a correct way to write a submission, and a correct time to send it to make it count!

The length of the advertising period is mandated by the State Planning Regulations which specifies a formal period for public consultation. The City does have some discretion on this and may accept late submissions, however, there has to be a ‘cut-off’ point in order to meet Council reporting deadlines which is approximately 2 weeks ahead of any Council meeting.

Submissions may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or submitted online (where available) to council during the specified advertising period.

You should be aware that:

The City of Mandurah is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1992 and as such, any submissions made may be subject to applications for access under the Act.

During the course of the City of Mandurah assessing submissions, or making its report on these submissions, copies of your submission or the substance of that submission may be disclosed to third parties.

In 2010/2011 the State Government introduced various legislation that established the operational framework for Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) in Western Australia. DAPs came into effect on 1 July 2011.

What is a DAP?

A Development Assessment Panel (DAP) is an independent decision-making body that determines certain development applications in the place of the original decision maker, such as Local Government and/or the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).

DAPs comprise of independent technical experts and elected Local Government representatives. Agendas and minutes for DAP meetings are available for you to review.