Planning Control Areas

PCA’s are declared under Part 7 of the Planning and Development Act 2005.  A copy of the Act can be viewed at: www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_722_homepage.html

A PCA stays in place for 5 years or until it is revoked by the Western Australian Planning Commission, whichever is the sooner.

You follow the normal process of applying to your local government for approval to commence development.  Your local government, within 30 days of receiving the application, will forward the application together with its recommendation to the WAPC for final determination.

No, the Western Australian Planning Commission issues development approvals on land within a planning control area.

The Commission must have regard to:

1. any relevant State planning policy: and
2. the purposes for which the land to which that application relates is zoned or reserved under any planning scheme; and
3. any special considerations relating to the nature of the planning control area concerned and of the development to which that application relates; and
4. the orderly and proper planning, and the preservation of the amenity, of the locality in which the land to which that application relates is situated

The WAPC is formally required to consult with the Swan Valley Planning Committee and Heritage Council of Western Australia before declaring a PCA that might impact on the jurisdiction of those bodies.  The WAPC will also consult with affected local governments and major landowners before a PCA is declared, and notify all affected landowners once the PCA is approved by the Minister for Planning and a notice of the declaration is published in the Government Gazette.

Yes, the local government continues to receive applications for development within the PCA and provide its recommendations the WAPC for consideration and determination.  After receiving the application the WAPC may consult with any authority, including the local government, that it considers appropriate.

The size of the PCA is determined by the extent of infrastructure works being delivered by the project.  In the case of METRONET, the PCA needs to encompass the station, bus transfer and park and ride facilities as a minimum.  However, in most cases it will also need to be large enough to include any changes to roads or pedestrian/cyclist pathways, and may need to include any early site works such as clearing, temporary fencing and relocation of services.

Yes, the WAPC may by notice published in the Government Gazette and with the approval of the Minister for Planning amend or revoke a PCA.  METRONET may seek the approval of the WAPC to reduce the size of a PCA before the 5 year expiration date, once elements of the infrastructure works have been completed and any conditions of development satisfactorily cleared.

None. The normal process is followed for these matters. Development of land is the only process altered by a planning control area.