Step through the topics below to find out how planning decisions are made and how local and State governments work together to facilitate planning application pathways and processes.
The goal of planning is to ensure that development and the use of land meets the needs of all Western Australians. This supports housing delivery, our economy, the environment and the people that live, work and play in Western Australia. Planning needs to consider:
- As our population grows, where will people live and work?
- How do people get to their jobs?
- Is there enough land for businesses, agriculture and industry?
- How will land get water, power and wastewater services (and are there alternatives)?
- How can we maintain and enhance the environment, and support ongoing ecological functions?
- How can we protect ourselves from bushfire, flooding and climate change?
The planning system is interconnected, and decision-makers are supported by professional urban and regional planners who work for local government, private consultancies and the WAPC, through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH). While there are different decision-makers in the system, parties provide advice and recommendations to an ultimate decision-maker, which typically involves public consultation and referral to expert organisations. Decision-makers are then required to consider the applicable planning instruments, the merits of the proposal, advice received, and submissions made. Many planning decisions are also subject to review, where an applicant disagrees with a decision. Some elements of land use planning apply across the whole system.
Planning instruments used across the planning system
The WA planning framework has a range of planning instruments that are used to plan for the future and guide the use and development of land.
Scroll across to view all planning instruments and visit the Planning instruments used across the WA Planning System page to find out how they guide the planning of our state.