AGENDA - Shire of Roebourne

Ordinary Council Meeting – Agenda 19 October 2009
On behalf of Landcorp, the Burgess Design Group approached the Department of Planning
Pilbara planning officers both in Karratha and Perth seeking support in principle to the
altered lot configuration. Advice was received that the change is considered minor in nature
and that the DP would not require an amendment.
Issues
Requirements of the Shire of Roebourne Town Planning Scheme No. 8
Clause 6.4.5 of the Shire of Roebourne Town Planning Scheme No. 8 [the Scheme] states:
Any departure from or alterations to the Development Plan may, subject to the approval of
the Commission, be permitted if the Council considers that the proposed departure or
alteration will not prejudice the progressive subdivision and development of the area.
Contrary to advice given by the Department of Planning, should Council support the
proposed change to the configuration of lots, an amendment to the DP is required to be
endorsed and forwarded to the WAPC for adoption.
Clause 6.4.4 of the Scheme states that the Council may require the advertising of
development plans, including amendments to endorsed plans. Due to the minor nature of
the proposed development plan amendment and in the interest of expediting the
subdivision approval and subsequent land release, it is not considered necessary for the
plan to be publically advertised
Application of the Development Plan with Regard to Statutory Planning
As stated, the Department of Planning have advised that the DP does not require
amending as the reduction in density (larger lots) proposed by the subdivision application
still meets the designated R30 density. Contrary to this advice [and in accordance with the
Scheme], Planning Services considers it imperative for the DP to be amended so that the
Shire‘s Development Services officers can correctly apply the differing provisions of the
Residential Design Codes of Western Australia when assessing building applications. For
example, differing provisions are applied to R17.5 and R30 lots regarding building setback
to primary streets, the provision of open space and the capacity to further subdivide lots.
Development Services officers can only lawfully apply the density adopted by the DP (or
the Scheme maps). A departure from these requirements may expose the Shire to possible
review of disputed building applications at the State Administrative Tribunal.
Reduction in Dwelling Yield
The subdivision application proposes twenty [20] lots averaging approximately 570m 2
(R17.5) and two [2] triplex lots measuring 1102m 2 each (R30). The total dwelling yield from
this configuration is twenty-six [26]; three [3] dwellings less than the existing approved plan
of subdivision under the current DP. The reduction is considered insignificant in terms of
the anticipated benefits gained to housing design and consumer choice. Consideration
should; however, be given to refusing future proposed amendments to the DP that will
result in a further or incremental reductions in dwelling yield. It should be noted that any
reduction in the number of lots being released particularly cottage lots, may compromise
housing affordability.
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