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Planning

Accessible Communities

The Accessible Communities Study was developed by the ARRB Group and TPG Town Planning and Urban Design for the former Department of Planning and Infrastructure, for presentation to the WA Planning Commission.

The objective of the project is to ensure appropriately designed transport infrastructure and supporting urban design are integral to all urban developments and that this is made certain during the approval and implementation of urban development.

Building Legislation

A review of the WA building legislation was initated by the then Departments of Housing and Works and Consumer Protection (public consultation on the New Building Act was conducted in 2005). The review has been progressing slowly with preparation of the following Bills: Building Bill 2010; Building Services (Registration) Bill 2010 and Building Services (Administration and Dispute Resolution) Bill 2010. The Department of Commerce have indicated that these Bills will be released for comment shortly. It is anticipated that the Bills will be open for comment prior to being introduced in Parliament.

Development Assessment Panels

The Department of Planning (DoP) released for public consultation its discussion paper, Implementing Development Assessment Panels in Western Australia in September 2009 and WALGA at its State Council meeting in October 2009, resolved to provide a representative Local Government submission using the following process:

  • Consult with Member Councils through questionnaires and discussions with Elected Members and senior Executives; and copies of Council submissions;
  • Establishment of a Local Government Advisory Group comprised of Elected Members including non-metropolitan members, CEOs and directors of planning, to consider feedback received from Members and identify the governance, planning, financial and social implications and impacts of Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) for the sector; and
  • If required, seek legal advice on the legality/governance issues associated with the propsed structure and operations of panels.

The comments received from Local Government are included in the submission.

Planning Reform

The Planning Reform Advisory Committee, comprising of local government representatives, met on 26 February 2009 with the objective of identifying the reforms Local Government considers necessary to improve WA's town planning system.

The issues and matters raised have contributed to a wider planning reform discussion paper 'Building a Better Planning System' prepared by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (now Department of Planning).

WALGA is working with the Department of Planning on behalf of Local Government to prioritise and implement planning reform in WA.

Prostitution Legislation

The State Government made an election committement to repeal the Prostitution Amendment Act 2008, and develop a regulated system to contain sexual service businesses to a small number of designated areas where they will be tolerated.

The State Government election commitment Repealing Labor's Prostitution Laws has the following specific undertakings:

  • to repeal the Prostitution Act 2008;
  • not allow brothels to spread throughout the suburbs and towns of WA;
  • the State Government to take responsibility for the issue and not delegate to local government to handle; and
  • have a small number of designated areas where a regulated system would be tolerated.

The Department of the Attorney-General is in the process of preparing Drafting Instructions to amend the existing Prostitution Act 2000. It is proposed that the Drafting Instructions will identify what should be added into the existing Act and any elements of the Act which should be deleted. The Drafting Instructions are not out for public comment but are being discussed at a Senior Officer's Group established by the Department of the Attorney-General. WALGA has representation on the Group.

Broader consultation is anticipated in the near future.

Shared-Use Agreements

A shared-use agreement between a local government and the Department of Education outlines the conditions of use across a range of facilities, by schools and the community.

The use of shared-use agreements between local governments and the Department of Education (DoE) have long been recognised by Local Government as both a practical and beneficial solution for both parties. They provide:

  • Increased opportunities for the community to access local sport, leisure and recreation facilities.
  • Improved security at schools as a result of increase use of facilities outside of normal school hours.
  • An increased sense of community ownership of facilities.
  • Increased utilisation of parks, ovals and facilities.
  • Sharing of facility maintenance costs.
  • Reduced capital costs in building separate facilities.

WALGA State Council endorsed a Local Government Position Paper on Shared-Use Agreements in June, in order to outline a way of moving forward with issues raised.

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