• New Planning Scheme to guide future prosperity of Perth for next 15 years
  • Significant plot ratio increases for key growth areas in the City
  • Sets course for City to achieve 55,000 residents by 2036

A planning framework to guide the growth and future prosperity of Perth for the next decade and beyond was approved by City of Perth Council tonight.
 
The Local Planning Scheme will now be sent to the Western Australian Planning Commission for approval, before being advertised for further input from City of Perth residents, businesses and the broader community.
 
The Scheme sets a single vision for Perth, giving investors and developers certainty, while removing unnecessary planning layers and red tape.
 
City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said it was not every day a Council was able to implement a dynamic new planning framework for a capital city, one that sets the city on course to achieve its goal of 55,000 residents by 2036.
 
“There are some important elements in this Scheme that will appeal to investors and developers, as well as facilitating a vibrant, liveable City for residents, businesses and visitors alike,” Mr Zempilas said.
 
“That includes a significant increase in the plot ratios available for key areas of Perth. 
 
“At a time when cities are competing for investment, this new planning scheme creates important new opportunities for landowners to look at their properties, see the possibilities, and hopefully motivate them to revitalise and reinvest in existing buildings.
 
“The significant plot ratio increases along St Georges Terrace, Kings Park Road and Adelaide Terrace - to name a few - will be the catalyst for new investment and redevelopment of our older buildings in key areas of the city.
 
“New planning incentives will encourage developers to provide more residential development, protect our heritage buildings, deliver environmentally sustainable design and provide opportunities to inject more cultural spaces into our capital city. 
 
“Ultimately this will go a long way to delivering a more sustainable and liveable city.”
 
Lord Mayor Zempilas said the introduction of a Significant Tree Register into the new planning scheme was also important.
 
“With the correct checks and balances in place, we can all do our bit in both the public space and on private property to support the planting of new trees and the protection of our urban canopy,” he said.
 
City of Perth CEO Michelle Reynolds said the Scheme had consolidated a number of local planning schemes and was designed to set a planning framework for development and investment in the City for decades to come.
 
“I would like to commend our City Planning staff, they are technical experts who live and breathe our City,” she said.

ENDS

Issued by: Graham Mason, 0448 363 780, media@cityofperth.wa.gov.au