The McGowan Government is streaming ahead with reforms to create a contemporary and easy-to-navigate planning system, today releasing the draft State Planning Policy 2.9 Planning for Water (SPP 2.9) and Guidelines for public comment.
The draft policy replaces an outdated water planning framework, consolidating six State planning policies into one to deliver greater clarity and guidance around integrating the management of water resources into planning and development decision-making.
The policy advocates for early consideration of all water-related matters in the planning process to protect water resources and water dependent ecosystems; and ensure the necessary drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure is in place to support future development.
It will help Government agencies, regulators and industry to better respond to the anticipated impacts from population growth and climate change, as well as economic and land use changes.
Consultation on the draft policy closes on November 15, 2021 with the finalised policy expected to be gazetted early next year.
For more information and to have your say, visit https://consultation.dplh.wa.gov.au
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"With Western Australia's water resources subject to increasing pressure from climate change, we must ensure water management is integrated with our planning system.
"Early consideration of water in planning provides a good opportunity to address issues upfront and explore sustainable options that accommodate our growing population and are programmed to support long-term urban development delivery timeframes.
"This draft State planning policy and associated guidelines propose a contemporary approach to streamline an outdated policy framework, and is a perfect example of how the McGowan Government is simplifying Western Australia's planning system to make is easier to use and understand."
