The Shire has prepared a draft Local Planning Strategy to guide how our community will grow and develop over the next 15 years. The draft Strategy aims to reflect the community’s vision for the future, as expressed in the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan 2032.

The draft Strategy encompasses the outcomes of preliminary stakeholder engagement conducted in March 2022.

View the Minutes (Ordinary Council Meeting, March 2022)

The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) certified the draft Local Planning Strategy for public advertising and the public comment period ended on 14 May 2024.

We extend our gratitude to all who provided comments and attended community workshops. The Shire received 163 public submissions and 9 from government agencies. All feedback received will be considered and proposed modifications presented back to the Council and the WAPC for final endorsement.

The draft Strategy is available via the links below:

Draft Local Planning Strategy (Part 1) Draft Local Planning Strategy (Part 2)

 

The Local Planning Scheme No. 7

The purposes of the Scheme are to:

  • Set out the local government’s planning aims and intentions for the Scheme area;
  • Set aside land reserved for public purposes;
  • Zone land within the Scheme area for the purposes defined in the Scheme;
  • Show land which may be suitable for development through expansion of various settlements within the Scheme area, where special scrutiny of proposed land uses and development must occur having regard to the Scheme objectives;
  • Control and guide land use and development;
  • Set out procedures for the assessment and determination of development applications;
  • Make provision for the administration and enforcement of the Scheme; and
  • Address other matters set out in Schedule 7 of the Act.

The aims of the Scheme include the encouragement, direction and quality control, and orderly development in the Scheme area so as to promote and protect the health, safety, and general economic and social wellbeing of the community and the amenity of the area. It also protects and enhances the environmental values and natural resources of the district, and promotes ecologically sustainable land use and development whilst also appropriately taking account of flooding, fire and other risks.

The LPS7 Text is to be read with the Scheme Maps, State Planning Policies, and the applicable Local Planning Policies and Strategies.

View the Scheme Text and Maps

 

Strategy & Scheme FAQs

WHY IS THE SHIRE REVIEWING THE LOCAL PLANNING STRATEGY AND LOCAL PLANNING SCHEME?

In December 2019, Council resolved to approve a Report of Review with regards to whether, in the opinion of the Shire, the Strategy and the Scheme required review. You can view the full Council report and relevant resolution in the Meeting Minutes for the December Ordinary Council Meeting (2019).

View the Minutes (Ordinary Council Meeting, December 2019)

 

In October 2020, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) considered and delivered a report from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) regarding the status of the Strategy and Scheme, taking into consideration Council’s recommended Report of Review.

The WAPC determined that a review of the Strategy and the preparation of a new Scheme was required. The report of the WAPC is confidential, however the final determination can be viewed online via the WAPC website.

View the Advice here

 

What does this mean?

In order to comply with the WAPC’s determination made in October 2020, as described above, Council and relevant Shire Officers are required to review the Local Planning Strategy and prepare an amendment as required, and prepare a new Local Planning Scheme.

IS THE SHIRE INTENDING TO REVIEW LOCAL PLANNING POLICIES AS WELL?

Yes. The preparation of a new Local Planning Scheme will form part of the Shire’s overall upcoming Strategic Planning review which will include:

  • A review and the amendment of the current Local Planning Strategy,
  • A review of Local Planning Scheme No. 7 and preparation of a new Local Planning Scheme, and
  • A review and consolidation of all Local Planning Policies.

HOW WILL THE BUNBURY-GEOGRAPHE SUB-REGIONAL STRATEGY IMPACT THIS PROCESS?

In November 2020, the draft Bunbury-Geographe Sub-Regional Strategy (BGSRS) was released by the DPLH for public consultation. The BGSRS will set broad, high level objectives for the Bunbury-Geographe region and may shape the review of the Strategy.

It is important to consider the objectives of the BGSRS for the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup and how this may impact the area. The Draft BGSRS can be viewed online via the DPLH website.

View the Draft BGSRS

 

In February 2021, Council endorsed a schedule of comments for submission to the DPLH representing the formal views of the Shire. You can view this report in the Meeting Minutes for the February Ordinary Council Meeting (2021).

View the Minutes (Ordinary Council Meeting, February 2021)

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR PREPARING A NEW LOCAL PLANNING SCHEME?

The process to review, amend and/or prepare a Local Planning Strategy, Local Planning Scheme and Local Planning Policy are set by the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. You can view the Regulations online via the State Government website.

www.wa.gov.au (Document Collections)

 

The DPLH have also prepared a flowchart on the specific process to adopt a new Local Planning Scheme which is available here to view / download.

View the DLPH Flowchart View our Planning Information Sheets

WILL THE COMMUNITY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROCESS?

Yes. Under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, once the relevant documents are prepared, they are required to be advertised to the general public.

Public consultation regarding this Project commenced as of mid-2022. In preparation for this consultation, a preliminary engagement survey was prepared for community participation. Since this survey, a formal comment period has been established. For further information, please view the full notice as published by the Shire on 15 March 2024.

 

This consultation process has since closed as of 4:00pm on Tuesday 14 May 2024, and the Shire will now review the strategy having regard to any submissions made. After completion of the review of the Local Planning Strategy, the Shire will submit it to the Commission for consideration.