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Renewable Energy: Development application decision-making 

The decision-making pathways available for renewable energy projects including renewable energy facilities such as wind and solar farms, battery facilities, transmission systems and hydrogen and ammonia production facilities, will be dependent on their value and location.

Mandatory significant development

On 5 October 2026, amendments to the Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations 2026 (Significant Development Regulations) will commence classifying major renewable energy proposals valued at $20 million or more as mandatory significant development. This proposed change was released for context purposes as part of the consultation on the draft Renewable Energy Planning Code. 

The amendments apply to renewable energy facilities, including wind and solar farms, battery facilities, transmission systems, and hydrogen and ammonia production facilities.  

These proposals will be determined by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) under Part 11B of the Planning and Development Act 2005 (PD Act) and assessed through the Significant Development Pathway. They will no longer be able to be determined by a Development Assessment Panel or local government.  

Under the Significant Development Pathway, development applications are lodged with the Significant Development Assessment Unit (SDAU) within the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. The SDAU assesses applications and provides advice and recommendation to the WAPC.  The SDAU is supported by the State Referral Coordination Unit, which coordinates whole-of-government referral advice from State agencies. 

Requiring these significant renewable energy developments to be determined by the WAPC will provide a consistent assessment and decision-making process through a single decision-maker. The Significant Development Pathway also includes mandatory pre-lodgement review to help identify and resolve issues before an application is lodged, supported by coordinated referral advice through the State Referral Coordination Unit. This approach aligns with processes adopted in other Australian states. 

Details of the amendments are available here:

Further information on the Significant Development Pathway assessment and decision-making processes is available here: Part 11B Significant Development Pathway.

Decision-making pathways

Once the amendments to the Significant Development Regulations commence on 5 October 2026, renewable energy-related development applications will be determined as follows:

Developments valued at $20 million or more:Developments valued at less than $20 million:

Development applications for renewable energy-related developments with an estimated value of $20 million or more will be assessed through the Part 11B Significant Development Pathway and determined by the WAPC.

Development applications for renewable energy-related developments with an estimated value of less than $20 million may be determined through one of the following pathways:

1. Western Australian Planning Commission

Under the PD Act and the Significant Development Regulations, a prescribed significant development may be determined by the WAPC. For renewable energy-related developments, this applies to proposals located outside the Swan Valley, Perth and Peel regions with an estimated value of $5 million or more. Applications are lodged with and assessed by the SDAU unit within DPLH and determined by the WAPC. 

2. Development Assessment Panel

Development applications with an estimated value of $2 million or more are lodged with and assessed by the relevant local government, which provides its report and recommendations to the Development Assessment Panel for determination. 

3. Local government 

All other development applications are lodged with and assessed by the relevant local government, with decisions made either under delegated authority or by the local government council, as applicable.

Frequently asked questions

Why are these changes being made? 

Western Australia is investing in significant renewable energy development as part of the State’s energy transition. 

A single State assessment pathway will provide greater certainty and consistency of decision making and consideration of land use, environmental, infrastructure and community issues. 

Local government and community engagement

Yes.  Local governments will continue to play an important role in the assessment process. 

Local governments will be engaged during mandatory pre-lodgement discussions and formally consulted once an application has been lodged. Their advice on local planning, infrastructure, environmental and community matters will be considered by the Western Australian Planning Commission as part of its decision. 

The draft Renewable Energy Planning Code also encourages proponents to engage early with local governments before lodging a development application.  

Yes. Public consultation remains a requirement for mandatory renewable energy proposals assessed through the Significant Development Pathway. 

Community submissions will be considered as part of the assessment process before a decision is made. 

The draft Renewable Energy Planning Code also encourages proponents to undertake early engagement with local communities and key stakeholders.  

Assessment process and timeframes

Yes.  Proponents should contact the Department’s Significant Development Assessment Unit (SDAU) to discuss pre-lodgement requirements and application documentation.   

The statutory assessment timeframe under the Significant Development Pathway is 120 days, unless otherwise agreed with the applicant.  

Importantly the pathway includes mandatory pre-lodgement engagement with the WAPC which helps to identify and resolve issues early as well as coordinated whole-of-government agency advice. These features support a coordinated and streamlined assessment process for complex proposals. 

Until the Renewable Energy Planning Code is finalised and incorporated into local planning schemes, development applications should be assessed against the current planning framework. Applicants should also demonstrate how their proposal responds to the draft Renewable Energy Planning Code as a ‘seriously entertained’ planning instrument. 

Transition

Yes.  The period between gazettal and commencement allows proponents to complete mandatory pre-lodgement engagement before the amendments come into effect.  This will help ensure proposals are ready to proceed through the Part 11B Significant Development Pathway from 5 October. 

Development applications lodged before 5 October 2026 will continue to be assessed and determined through the pathway selected by the proponent.  

An application is considered to be lodged only when it has been submitted in the form required by the relevant planning scheme, accompanied by the applicable fee and all required plans and supporting information.   

Applications lodged with a Development Assessment Panel or local government cannot be transferred to the Part 11B - Significant Development Pathway. To have an application determined by the WAPC under the Part 11B - Significant Development Pathway, the application would need to be withdrawn and a new application lodged with the applicable application fee.

Until the amendments commence, proponents can continue to use the existing assessment pathways: Part 11B – Significant Development, DAP or local government. 

As the changes will soon take effect, proponents are encouraged to consider lodging through the Part 11B – Significant Development Pathway. 

Once the amendments take effect, renewable energy developments valued at $20 million or more must be lodged through the Significant Development Pathway and be determined by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

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Last updated: 10 August 2026