Western Australians are being invited to have their say on proposed reforms that aim to simplify and modernise the State’s planning system.
The Cook Government has opened public consultation on a series of changes to the Planning and Development Amendment Regulations 2025, which will help ensure both State and local planning frameworks stay relevant and responsive to community needs.
The proposed reforms set out clearer processes for reviewing State panning instruments like policies, regional schemes, and planning codes.
Local planning policies are also under the spotlight, with the draft changes outlining a requirement for five-yearly reviews, clearer objectives, and consistent guidelines to help remove unnecessary red tape.
New draft chapters of the WA Planning Manual have also been released, offering more detailed guidance on how local planning schemes and policies should be prepared, applied, and reviewed.
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the reforms were part of a broader effort to support population growth and increase housing supply.
“The review of State and local planning instruments aims to ensure planning frameworks are efficient, streamlined and are best placed to support Western Australia’s growing population.
“This review is part of the Cook Government’s broader reform agenda to increase housing supply by slashing red tape in the planning system and I encourage people to have their say.”
Public consultation is now open and will run until October 3, 2025. Submissions can be made at https://haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au/review–planninginstruments.
