Building a Better Planning System - Western Australian Planning ...

Reform in Other Jurisdictions
A number of State governments have completed or
are undertaking major planning and infrastructure
reforms and are in the process of the implementing
these reforms. The motivation behind reform in
other jurisdictions is both strategic and functional
and includes factors such as:
• strong population growth;
• reduced complexity and improved
governance;
• economic benefits (both South Australia and
New South Wales identify significant economic
benefits);
• lifestyle (heritage protection and planning for
older citizens);
• need for infrastructure planning and
coordination;
• declining housing affordability; and
• managing the impact of climate change on
the environment (higher public transport use,
sustainable outcomes, open space protection
and water efficiency).
Strategic responses and initiatives include:
• a dedicated and high level process for reform,
including public consultation;
• streamlining environmental assessment and
planning processes to reduce red tape and
expedite approvals/development;
• the coordination of planning and infrastructure
strategies as part of the State budget process;
• a strong regional focus with local government
partnerships;
• capital city strategies for Sydney, Melbourne
and proposed for Adelaide;
• institutional change, with some State’s
focusing on functional reform and creating
separate planning agencies while others have
focused on strategic reform and amalgamated
planning and infrastructure;
• the devolution of planning decisions and use
of private certifiers;
• greater independence through the separation
of decision–making processes and Ministerial
roles; and
• establishment of Development Assessment
Panels to provide independent advice on
major development proposals.
These reforms will serve as a benchmark for reform
in Western Australia.
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Building a Better Planning System | Consultation Paper