Work on a Draft District Structure Plan (DSP) for the Jandakot/Treeby Urban Expansion Area has commenced.
What is a District Structure Plan, and why is it being prepared for the Urban Expansion area?A District Structure Plan (DSP) is a high-level plan prepared over a defined geographical area, that identifies key infrastructure such as regional and district roads, regional and district open space together with land uses, such as commercial centres and schools necessary to ensure coordinated development occurs over multiple landholdings. The DPS is the basis of preparating any consequent amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme, Local Planning Scheme, and individual Local Structure Plans.
The City’s Local Planning Strategy recognises that a coordinated approach to planning for the Urban Expansion area is required, due to the known constraints, particularly the proximity to Jandakot Airport, bushfire risk,impact on the Jandakot Groundwater Mound and the fragmentation of land ownership. The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has accepted that a District Structure Plan is required to be progressed prior to any amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme being formally progressed.
Who is preparing the District Structure Plan?The Draft District Structure Plan is currently being prepared by a private planning consultant, engaged by the two largest developers in the area, with feedback from a Technical Advisory Group of Government Agencies and Service Authorities. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) are coordinating that process.
When will I be invited to provide comment on the District Structure Plan?Once DPLH believe that content of the draft District Structure Plan is sufficient, it will be presented to the WAPC for consent for advertise.
At this time, it is not known when public advertising will commence, or the way it will occur.
Will the City be undertaking public consultation on the District Structure Plan?Responsibility for consultation sits with the WAPC, as District Structure Plans are typically prepared under Section 14 of the Planning and Development Act 2005.
The City has a regulatory role in undertaking public and stakeholder consultation on Local Structure Plans and Precinct Structure Plans under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, but this does not extend to District Structure Plans.
Will I be advised by the City when the District Structure Plan is advertised?As consultation for the District Structure Plan will be coordinated by the WAPC, the City will promote the advertising period but will not be directly consulting with the public.
The WAPC will determine the affected landowners/residents that should receive notifications and advise them accordingly. As the affected local government, the City will be invited to provide its own comments to the WAPC. This will involve an officer report being put before the City’s Elected Members for consideration.
Can I develop my property if is located within the Urban Expansion area?Until such time as the land is rezoned under the City’s Local Planning Scheme, all development applications will continue to be assessed against the current planning framework.
Who should I contact for queries on the District Structure PlanAs coordinators of the District Structure Plan process, any queries regarding the preparation, advertising and approval process should be directed to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
DPLH can be contacted on (08) 6551 8002, or
[email protected].
On 10 August 2023, the Minister for Planning announced the results of the State Government’s high-level strategic investigation, and resultant elevation of the Jandakot / Treeby Planning Investigation Area to an ’Urban Expansion Area’ under the state planning framework.
However, the land still must go through a number of planning processes before it can be further subdivided or developed for more intensive purposes.
Consistent with the evolution of other urban expansion areas across the Perth and Peel Metropolitan Regions, the next step in the process is for a District Structure Plan to be prepared over the total area, to inform all subsequent Metropolitan Region Scheme and Local Planning Scheme Amendments.
Local Structure Plans will then need to be prepared for defined precincts to inform future subdivision and development proposals.
Each of these planning processes involves the consideration of a variety of complex matters that can take some time to complete.
This decision is based on the West Australian Planning Commission's (WAPC) framework called Perth and Peel @3.5million. They identified a 'Planning Investigation Area' of approximately 625 hectares in Jandakot/Treeby, which is next to the Jandakot Airport. Currently, the area is categorized as 'Rural – Water Protection' under the MRS and 'Resource' under the City's TPS3. It's mostly used for rural lifestyle purposes, following the guidelines of State Planning Policy (SPP) 2.3 'Jandakot Groundwater Protection.'
Detailed studies and investigations were to be undertaken by the WAPC to determine whether any change to current zonings is appropriate. They noted the following key considerations:
- Impacts, risks and management of Jandakot groundwater resources (existing Priority 2 Source Protection Area)
- Protection of significant environmental values
- ANEF considerations associated with Jandakot Airport.
I have developers approaching me to buy my land. I’m not interested - do I need to sell to them?No.
I have a home and/or business on my land. I want to continue living/working here – is that okay?The Minister’s decision concerns the future purpose of the land in your area. The zoning of the land has not changed yet.
Even if there is a change in zoning, current approved uses and homes can still stay as they are.
Several important steps need to happen before subdivisions can take place. The current zoning still applies and needs to be changed first, under the MRS and the local planning scheme. District and Local Structure Planning is also required to ensure that the necessary infrastructure for the future community is properly planned from the beginning.
Will there be public consultation about further development?The District Structure Plan, Region and Local Scheme Amendments, and Local Structure Plan processes all include periods of public consultation
What about the impact on groundwater and the wetlands?An Environmental Assessment Report and District Water Management Strategy (DWMS) will accompany the District Structure Plan and Region/Local Scheme amendment proposals. These technical reports will consider the risk of the proposal on both the underlying groundwater resource and wetlands across the area.
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The City view this as an essential element in the future planning of the area. Part of the analysis developers should provide include identification of remnant bushland, ecological corridors and areas of conservation value to be protected. They must also propose safeguarding measures before any alterations in land use or modifications to zoning under the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS).
Bushfire risk, adaptation and management requirements are considered at each stage in the planning process. In this area, this will likely involve adaptation of the existing road network to provide safe two-way access.
Jandakot Airport is on land owned by the Commonwealth and operates independently from the Perth International Airport (PIA). The airport’s future development is governed by the Jandakot Airport Masterplan. The airport could be impacted by future development occurring at the PIA.
Ensuring that land use planning takes into account the airport's operational requirements is crucial to guarantee its continued viability.
The State Government has a policy that guides development near the airport. Consideration of the impact on the airport from potential sensitive land uses is another planning element needing consideration.
Will there be new schools and parks?Every housing project must allocate a minimum of 10 percent for public open space.
Additionally, the Department of Education (DOE) evaluates the requirement for state schools (both primary and high schools) in new regions. The DOE decides whether there is a necessity for new schools and identifies their suitable locations.
The City has recently made important road upgrades in this area. Despite this, the City views the modelling of the transport and traffic network as a crucial aspect of future planning for this area. This helps determine if further upgrades are necessary.
There are so many issues to consider – how are they all assessed?The City’s draft Local Planning Strategy acknowledges how complex this area is.
The draft Local Planning Strategy notes the following matters should be addressed through the preparation of a District Structure Plan:
- Staging and identification of logical cells for coordinated planning
- Structure plan implementation requirements
- Infrastructure needs and requirements, including community infrastructure.
- Network of public open space to meet the recreational needs of the community.
- Appropriately sized and located centre (local or neighbourhood centre, if appropriate) to meet the needs of the community.
- Traffic impact assessment.
- Fire management.
- Community benefit.
For more information about the District Structure Planning process please contact the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage (DPLH) on 6551 8002 or email [email protected]
For general enquiries about the planning process please contact the City’s Strategic Planning team on 08 9411 3444 or email [email protected]