Local Planning Schemes
Local planning schemes is Local Government’s most important planning instrument. Planning schemes set out the way land is to be used and developed, classify areas for land use and include provisions to coordinate infrastructure and development within a Local Government area. Local planning schemes are also a fundamental driver for Local Governments to achieve economic, social and environmental objectives.
Local planning schemes include provisions that are set by the State Government in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 which are adopted by the Council.
The Schemes should be read alongside with the Regulations as well as the State Planning Policies, Residential Design Codes and other parts of the State Government's Planning Framework.
To view the scheme text or maps please click here.
Amending the Scheme
Changing the zoning of land or another part of the local planning scheme is the same as changing a law - it is not a short process but is sometimes necessary to reflect the community's preferred direction.
Local planning schemes are not static documents; they require amendment, to ensure they remain contemporary and relevant to the needs of the community. The process of amending a local planning scheme is established in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015 (Regulations), requiring the Council to make a decision on a Scheme Amendment in accordance with the following process:
- the first on consideration of the acceptability of the proposal by way of an initial adoption for public consultation, and
- the second to consider any public submissions received, and to recommend the finalised scheme proposal to the Minister for Planning.
Spot rezoning
In any Town planning scheme, it is important for zoning to be applied in an orderly and proper manner. The Council will generally not support requests for a change of zoning, residential density coding or building height limits for an individual lot or other small area, independently of a broader Scheme Review. Modification of a small area of land in isolation from the wider locality is sometimes referred to as ‘spot rezoning’.
‘Spot rezoning’ will generally only be supported if the particular site-specific circumstances are unique, the requested rezoning is of a special or urgent nature, and the resultant development will not adversely affect surrounding areas. Rather, the request should relate to a broader, more logical area, or be considered as part of a major scheme review.
Finding the zoning of your property
To check your zoning, please use Landgate's Locate Mapping System to access your zoning information.
This mapping system is interlinked with the State Government's register for zoning and stays up to date regularly so you can ensure the information you are getting is correct.
TIP: Ensure you have the following layer and sub-layers on:
- Layer- 'Property and Planning'
- Sublayer- 'Local Planning Scheme - Zones and Reserves (DPLH-071)'
- Sublayer- 'Local Planning Scheme - R Codes (DPLH-070)'
Local Planning Policies
Local planning policies provide guidance and detail on how the Shire implements the rules set by the scheme. They are used by the Shire in assessing and making decisions on planning applications.
Local Planning Policy No 1 - Sea Containers
Local Planning Policy No 2 - Wind Farms
Local Planning Policy No 3 - Heritage Places