WA Planning Manual - District Structure Plans

District Structure Plans (DSPs) contribute toward a strategically led planning system and provide the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) with the ability to address higher level strategic considerations related to land use and infrastructure coordination. DSPs enable more detailed investigations to occur suitable to the district level, providing a framework to inform future planning processes such as region/local scheme amendments and standard/precinct structure plans.  DSPs may be used in a range of circumstances across Western Australia to facilitate urban development, industrial development and other land use coordination functions at a district level.

The Manual applies to the preparation, assessment and approval of all DSPs in metropolitan and regional areas across Western Australia. The Manual provides a clear and consistent process for DSPs through:

• defining the purpose and function of a DSP;
• providing guidance for preparing, advertising, approving, amending and revoking a DSP;
• setting out the level of information required to support a DSP; and
• providing supporting templates, including the WAPC’s approved manner and form.

The WAPC is responsible for determining if a DSP is needed and providing strategic direction to ensure the DSP aligns with State Government priorities. DSPs are WAPC documents, however, the WAPC may invite third parties (such as landowners or their agents/consultants or local government) to develop documentation that may be adopted by the WAPC. 

District Structure Plan Process

This Manual is not intended to replicate or replace WAPC policy relevant to the design and function of new urban and industrial development, or the provisions of local or regional planning schemes.  The preparation and assessment of a DSP will need to address the State Planning Framework.

The document aligns with the State Government's Planning Reform agenda outlined in the Action Plan for Planning Reform (Action Plan) released in 2019, and responded to the following goals and initiatives of the Action Plan:

In preparing the Manual, key stakeholders were consulted to identify priorities for the review and on matters that require specific guidance.

An operational review of the DSP Manual will be undertaken after one full year of operation.