Planning Applications

Development Applications

A Development Application is required under the Planning and Development Act 2005 for all works on, or use of land in the Scheme Area.  This process occurs prior to the issuing of  a Building Permit (if required).  A Development Application will be required for any type of development that is not subject to an exemption.

The Application for Development Approval Process

Under the Planning and Development Act 2005, local governments have 60 days to determine an application for planning approval, or 90 days if the application has to be advertised.  The 60 or 90 days does not commence until all the relevant information has been provided and the planning fees have been paid.  The clock ‘stops’ (the number of processing days goes on pause) if the information provided is found to be insufficient to determine the application, which sometimes occurs following referral of applications to key state government agencies for advice.

The process to determine applications for planning approval varies according to the proposed use and the zone and location in which it is proposed.  Some proposals are able to be determined quickly by Shire staff acting under delegation, and others require advertising and/or referral to key state government agencies for advice, and then determination by Council.

The Western Australian Planning Commission is the decision-making authority for subdivisions.  Subdivision guides, forms and fees can be downloaded from Commission’s website.

Unauthorised Development

If you have been operating a business or have started construction of a new development without planning approval, and you have been requested to lodge a  ‘retrospective’ application you will  incur additional fees in the assessment of your application. You may also be required to cease the development until such time as you are granted approval for the development.

Forms and Factsheets

The below forms and information are available to assist you with your Planning and Development applications.

The following Local Planning Polices have been adopted by Council:

  • LPP No 1 Permitted Development
  • LPP No 2 Rural Sheds
  • LPP No 3 Heritage List
  • LPP No 4 Wellington Catchment
  • LPP No 6 Outbuildings

For information on the Shire's Planning Policies, please refer to the Local Planning section of the Policy Manual.

Local Planning Scheme

Local Planning Scheme No 2 and the Scheme Maps can be viewed on the Department of Planning Land and Heritage website:https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/shire-of-west-arthur-planning-information

The Western Australian Planning Commission has considered the Council’s report regarding the review of the Local Planning Scheme required under regulation 67 of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, and advises that it agrees with the recommendations of the report.  A copy of the Commission’s decision is available

The Shire of West Arthur Local Planning Scheme No. 2 has been reviewed  and endorsed by the Western Australian Planning Commission on 10 March 2023.

Short Term Development Definitions

  • short-term accommodation means temporary accommodation provided either continuously or from time to time with no guest accommodated for periods totalling more than 3 months in any 12 month period.
  • bed and breakfast means a dwelling used by a resident of the dwelling to provide short-term accommodation, including breakfast, on a commercial basis for not more than 4 adult persons or one family and containing not more than 2 guest bedrooms.
  • holiday accommodation means 2 or more dwellings on one lot used to provide short term accommodation for persons other than the owner of the lot.
  • holiday house means a single dwelling on one lot used to provide short-term accommodation but does not include a bed and breakfast.
  • tourist development means a building, or a group of buildings forming a complex, other than a bed and breakfast, a caravan park or holiday accommodation, used to provide short-term accommodation for guests, onsite facilities for the use of guests and facilities for the management of the development.
  • workforce accommodation means premises, which may include modular or relocatable buildings, used primarily for the accommodation of workers engaged in construction, resource, agricultural or other industries on a temporary basis and for any associated catering, sporting and recreation facilities for the occupants and authorised visitors

Current Applications

There is one current application.

Development Application - Lots 5 & 6 Coalfields Rd, Darkan