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

Our Approach
Building a Better Planning System is an industry
and stakeholder consultation paper that identifies
a number of strategic priorities and actions to
improve the planning framework.
The approach taken is to refocus strategic priorities,
address design and operational problems in the
planning approvals processes and clarify and
streamline the institutional arrangements. The
intention is to improve the strategic capability and
operational capacity of the planning framework.
Strategic improvements focus on planning
outcomes such as infrastructure coordination, land
availability, housing affordability, environmental
issues, public transport use and urban lifestyle.
Operational improvements are to make the planning
processes work better and involve issues such
as agency resources, management practices and
planning processes.
To achieve either operational or strategic reform
requires an integrated and coordinated approach. In
particular, planning outcomes are dependent on the
effectiveness of planning instruments and tools as
well as how well they are managed and operated.
Building a Better Planning System is presented in
two parts. The first part provides an overview of the
WA planning framework, focuses on reform in other
jurisdictions and identifies strategic issues to be
addressed in considering improvements in Western
Australia. The second part of the document
presents a proposed Strategic Priorities and Action
Plan for building a better planning system.
The intention is that Building a Better Planning
System will deliver new and improved planning
processes and instruments that will:
• clear the backlog of approval applications and
reduce the time taken to obtain approvals;
• adopt a risk management based approach
to development assessments to speed up
approvals and simplify the processes;
• shift the focus away from statutory processing
to the achievement of strategic outcomes;
• reduce complexities and inconsistencies
through the adoption of standardised planning
instruments such as Model Scheme Text and
structure plans;
• enable better infrastructure coordination and
give a spatial dimension to the State budget
processes;
• focus on regional communities with particular
attention being given to supporting economic
development;
• develop a new vision for Perth and the regions
of WA; and
• improve standards of governance through
clearer and more effective accountabilities and
responsibilities.
Achieving these key outcomes will ensure that
Western Australia remains a highly competitive
and attractive place to live and do business.
Submissions
Submissions are invited on this consultation
paper and should be lodged with the
Department for Planning and Infrastructure by
Friday 1st May 2009. The e–mail address for
submissions is:
betterplanning@dpi.wa.gov.au
The postal address for submissions is:
Submission: Better Planning
Strategic Policy and Management Division
Department for Planning and Infrastructure,
Albert Facey House,
469 Wellington Street,
Perth, Western Australia 6000.
1 Building a Better Planning System | Consultation Paper