The Part 11B Significant Development Pathway to assess and determine major developments came into effect on 1 March 2024.
Part 11B replaces the Part 17 option established in 2020 by the State Government as a temporary pathway for significant projects to support COVID-19 economic recovery. While the Part 17 pathway has now closed, Form 17C Amendment Applications can still be lodged. The permanent pathway is a refined version of Part 17, with proactive case management of referrals to State agencies through the new State Referral Coordination Unit.
Similar to Part 17, a 'significant development' in Part 11B is one valued at $20 million or more in the Perth and Peel regions and $5 million or more everywhere else. Part 11B will be determined by the Statutory Planning Committee of the Western Australian Planning Commission while the Commission continues to determine the remaining Part 17 applications. The State Development Assessment Unit within the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage will continue to assess Significant Development applications.
Comparison of Part 11B and Part 17 Significant Development pathways
| Part 17 | Part 11B | |
|---|---|---|
Assessed by | State Development Assessment Unit | State Development Assessment Unit |
Statutory timeframe | As soon as practicable | 120 days (with stop-the-clock) |
Pre-lodgement meeting | Strongly recommended | Mandatory |
State referrals | Managed by State Development Assessment Unit | Managed by new State Referral Coordination Unit |
Local Government referrals | Opportunity to make submissions, generally within 42 days | Opportunity to make submissions within 60 days |
Public consultation | Minimum 28 days | Minimum 28 days |
Planning Framework | Must have 'due regard' and not bound by planning instruments | Retain ability to vary requirements of a local planning scheme, with new parameters |
Decision-maker | Western Australia Planning Commission | Statutory Planning Committee |
| Amendments | Limited to one application to extend substantial commencement deadline; no limit on changes to plans | Number of applications to amend not limited |