Which proposals are eligible to use the Part 11B significant development pathway?
To be eligible under the Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations 2025, proposals must have an estimated value of:
- $20 million or more in the Perth Metropolitan or Peel Region Scheme, or Swan Valley Planning Scheme areas; or
- $5 million or more in other areas
Projects that do not meet the value threshold but raise issues of State or regional importance can also be authorised for entry into the pathway by the Premier, on the recommendation of the Minister for Planning.
From 30 May 2025, apartment developments of any value in designated locations that include a minimum of five per cent social or affordable housing are also eligible.
The multiple dwelling projects must be located in inner-city and medium to high-density areas, including areas close to train stations or in regional centres. Once constructed, the community housing component must be managed by a registered community housing provider.
The designated locations take into account accessibility (including to public transport) and proximity to various amenities including retail, medical, community and educational facilities, in addition to employment opportunities. These are:
- For Metropolitan Perth and Peel Region Scheme areas, the development needs to be in an area designated under a planning scheme as residential density code R 30 and above and be within 800 metres of a railway station or identified higher order Activity Centres as defined by State Planning Policy 4.2 (district and above).
- Elsewhere, the development needs to be in, or within 800 metres of an area that is identified under a local planning scheme as a commercial, centre or mixed-use zone.
To be eligible in either category, multiple dwellings cannot be prohibited by the applicable planning instrument.
See more information here.
What is involved in pre-lodgement?
The proponent must meet with the WAPC as part of Part 11B requirements prior to lodging an application. Options for the flexible pre-lodgement process can be scaled to suit the proposal. The process can be as simple as a meeting to discuss high-level points or concept plans, or more detailed and include pre-lodgement assessment of a proposal followed by written pre-lodgement advice. More detail about the options is contained in the Application Guide.
Is Design Review required?
The WAPC can require a proposal be referred for Design Review and typically makes this decision in consultation with the Government Architect, who chairs the State Design Review Panel (SDRP), and proponent during pre-lodgement. Where a proposal is referred for review, this can occur in parallel with other pre-lodgement advice requests or referrals. The level and timing of Design Review sessions will be discussed during pre-lodgement and will be informed by the context of the application. It may be undertaken by the SDRP or the Government Architect.
What is a Review Readiness meeting?
Review Readiness meetings are offered by the Government Architect to Part 11B Significant Development Pathway proponents after the Pre-lodgement meeting, where the WAPC has decided that it is appropriate for the State Design Review Panel (SDRP) to review the proposal.
This optional session is offered to assist proponents in preparing for their first SDRP session, in the spirit of working collaboratively to help streamline the design review process and maximise the value of the review advice.
The more responsive a proponent is to feedback provided at the Pre-lodgement meeting, the more value they will get from the Review Readiness meeting.
What does the Proponent need to prepare for this meeting?
Proponents who accept the offer of a Review Readiness meeting will need to submit a draft of their SDRP design review presentation to the Significant Development Assessment Unit (SDAU) a minimum of 3 business days before the meeting.
The design review presentation should depict the proposal in a manner that will allow the SDRP to assess it against the Design Principles of State Planning Policy 7.0: Design of the Built Environment, including the following:
- Project vision
- Architectural and landscape concept design diagrams
- Clear and comprehensive context analysis
- Key architectural drawings: plans, site and building sections, elevations from all orientations (including elevations and sections of the proposal in context)
- Built form and massing studies
- Options analyses
- Consideration of the proposal from key vantage points
- Realistic and relevant precedent imagery
Information provided outside of this presentation, or at a later date, will not be able to be considered.
It is recommended that the applicant ensures that the design team is present at the meeting, and attendance in person is preferred, where possible.
What happens during the Review Readiness meeting?
The Government Architect, or representative, provides verbal feedback without prejudice on the submitted draft design review presentation.
The meeting will typically be 30 minutes long and the focus will be on the Government Architect, or representative, providing feedback. Given the short duration, it will not be an opportunity for the proponent to ‘re-pitch’ the proposal or engage in an interactive ‘pre-review’. Please note that meeting notes will not be issued for this meeting.
After the meeting, the SDAU and Design Review teams will be in contact regarding upcoming timing and submission deadlines for formal design review by the SDRP.