PLANNING — DRAFT DESIGN REPORTS

1486. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Planning:

(1)  I refer to the Draft State Planning Policy 7 – Design of the Built Environment, and I ask:

(a)  has this document been finalised;

(b)  are planning bodies at local and state level currently required to consider this policy when assessing development applications; and

(c)  what are the timelines for the release of draft policies for:

(i)  precinct design;

(ii)  neighbourhood design; and

(iii)  house Design?

(2)  I refer to the Draft Design Review Guide released as part of Design WA, and I ask:

(a)  is the Department aware of any formalised design review panels at any of the local governments;

(b)  does the WAPC have a design review panel;

(c)  does the MRA have a design review panel; and

(d)  will decision making authorities be required to consider the recommendations of any such design review panel when deciding upon development applications?

(3)  I refer to the Draft Apartment Design guidelines which will replace Part 6 of the Residential Design Codes in Western Australia, and I ask:

(a)  when will Part 6 be officially superseded by this document;

(b)  are developers and decision-making authorities currently required to consider this document; and

(c)  where there is a conflict between local government built-form policies and the Apartment Design guidelines, which will take precedence and why:

(i) will local governments be required to adjust their policies to match?

Hon Stephen Dawson replied:

(1)     (a)  The draft policy is scheduled for consideration by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) in the near future.

(b) The policy is a ‘seriously entertained planning proposal’, which means that it is considered in the assessment of a development application and is given some weight as one of many factors taken into account in exercising discretion.

(c)       (i)  A draft is expected to be available early in the new year for approval for public advertising.

(ii)  The Liveable Neighbourhoods policy will be reviewed to ensure alignment with the precinct policy; timing is dependent on the progression of the precinct policy.

(iii)  There is no current timing for a house design policy; however a draft medium density policy is expected to be available early in the new year for approval for public advertising. Further consideration will then be given to further policy work required.

(2)      (a)  Nineteen metropolitan local governments currently have formal design review processes, including design review panels.

(b) The WAPC has funded the Office of the Government Architect to establish a State Design Review panel.

(c)–(d) Yes.

(3)       (a)  It is anticipated that the Apartment Design Policy will be operational in early 2019.

(b) The policy is a ‘seriously entertained planning proposal’, which means that it is considered in the assessment of a development application and is given some weight as one of many factors taken into account in exercising discretion.

(c)  The Apartment Design Guidelines are yet to be finalised. However, it is expected some scope will remain for the development of local policies – e.g. to respond to matters such as heritage.

 

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