- New Bill introduced to modernise 60-year-old Metropolitan Region Scheme to cut unnecessary red tape and boost housing supply
- Changes will reduce the number of development applications required and slash paperwork for Western Australians
- New, contemporary scheme provisions will further streamline decision-making and approval processes
As part of the Cook Labor Government's continued efforts to cut red tape through nation-leading planning reforms, Planning Minister John Carey has today introduced a Bill into State Parliament to modernise the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS), to further bolster housing supply.
The Scheme was first established in 1963 and is critical in planning for the Perth metropolitan region, underlining the importance of ensuring it is contemporary and fit for purpose.
Changes in the Bill respond to industry and local government feedback on the Scheme's limitations and will simplify the development approval processes by removing unnecessary red tape and double-handling of assessments.
The new, contemporary Scheme text means all development on zoned land is exempt from requiring approval under this Scheme, except where explicitly stated by the WA Planning Commission.This means that in the majority of cases, approval is only required under the local planning scheme.
As a result, the current requirement for two planning application forms to be submitted for the same project will fall away, reducing unnecessary paperwork for Western Australians and lifting the administrative burden on local governments.
The Bill will replace the outdated Scheme with modern, contemporary terminology that is consistent with the two other region schemes in force, the Greater Bunbury and Peel region schemes.
This will result in approximately 80 per cent of duplicate development applications no longer being required under the new Scheme provisions.
New powers will also be introduced that enable the WA Planning Commission to prepare and approve strategic, regional-level planning documents, such as special control areas, district structure plans, region planning scheme policies and regional infrastructure plan areas.
Other than some minor wording changes to the map legend, the Bill does not propose any changes to the current Scheme maps, zones or reserves.
More information about the new Bill and MRS is available at Metropolitan Region Scheme (www.wa.gov.au)
As stated by Planning Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Government continues to deliver nation-leading planning reforms that boost housing supply across Western Australia by cutting unnecessary red tape and streamlining planning processes.
"The introduction of this Bill is a significant moment for WA's planning system, as it is the first time the some 60-year-old Metropolitan Region Scheme text has had a significant update, with these changes ensuring it remains contemporary and fit-for-purpose.
"These changes will reduce the amount of planning applications required, and Western Australians will no longer need to submit two application forms for the one project, removing duplication and unnecessary red tape from the planning system.
"Our planning reforms align with the National Planning Reform Blueprint agreed to by National Cabinet and complement our Government's unprecedented $3.2 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures."
