The City operates under the Local Planning Scheme No. 3, commonly referred to as LPS3.
This scheme organises land into specific zones, detailing the land use and development possibilities within these zones, encompassing:
- The zone classification of your property and the potential land uses permissible for that zone.
- The residential density code relevant to your property, which is used to determine the number of dwellings that can be constructed.
- The criteria to obtain development (planning) approval for any proposed development.
Every local planning scheme in WA includes 'deemed provisions' set through the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. These standardised procedures and processes are to be read in conjunction with LPS3. The City has commenced an initial review of Local Planning Scheme No. 3 with further details on this process to be published in due course.
View current and revoked structure plans, activity centre plans and local development plans
Planning Scheme amendments
Every City evolves, and to reflect these changes, amendments to the City's Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3) might be required. These proposed modifications to the LPS3 are termed 'scheme amendments'. Various stakeholders can suggest these amendments, be it landowners, State Government entities, or even the City. However, the authority to kickstart a scheme amendment remains exclusively with the City. Notably, once a scheme amendment is initiated, the responsibility of carrying it forward falls upon the City.
Scheme amendments can be initiated for numerous reasons, such as:
- Zoning changes: Modifying land zones to make way for new development projects.
- Scheme wording: Changing the wording to ensure the scheme functions effectively.
- Strategic vision: Bringing changes that are in line with the broader visions set out in the local planning strategy.
- Upholding proper planning: Ensuring that planning is orderly and proper.
When you want to change the zoning (known as 'rezoning') of a property, it requires an application for a scheme amendment. Rezoning might involve converting a 'Mixed Use' site to a 'Commercial' one. Adjusting the residential density, which essentially sets the number of dwellings permissible on a property, is termed as 'recoding.' This process, too, requires a scheme amendment.
The City generally does not support ad-hoc rezonings or recoding if they do not align with the Local Planning Strategy.
More information and contact
For more information contact the City's Planning Services on 9400 4000 or via info@joondalup.wa.gov.au.