Planning Services
All healthy and vibrant communities require a mix of areas for living, working and recreation and to this end, the Shire of Irwin’s Planning Services division:
- Controls where and what type of building or development takes place
- Regulates the use of land throughout the Shire.
- Ensures that all new subdivisions are designed to incorporate integration of all the relevant facilities.
These controls all help to ensure that a pleasant living and working environment is maintained for the Community as a whole.
The Shire of Irwin’s Planning Services division undertake strategic planning to manage and coordinate the future development of the Shire of Irwin. These include the review of the Local Planning Scheme, structure planning for future growth areas of the Shire, rural strategies and policy development.
Planning Approval:
All land within the Shire of Irwin falls under the control of the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme No 5. Therefore if you are intending to use a property for a particular purpose or intend to build on a property you first need to obtain planning approval from the Shire. This applies to both urban and rural land.
It is recommended as best practice to contact the Shire’s Planning Services division in the early stages of planning for your development to ascertain how the Shire’s requirements may apply to your proposal. The Planning Services division are more than willing to assist with any enquiries you may have in this regard.
Planning decisions are made by the Shire based on the Shire of Irwin’s Local Planning Scheme No. 5 and can often involve consultation with the community, Council and relevant State Government departments. If planning approval is granted, it is usually subject to a range of conditions, which must be met before the issue of the building licence, prior to the occupation of the completed development or before commencement of use. For a planning application form and the applicable fees and charges please contact the Shire's Planning Services Department or click on the link below;
Planning Application Form and Fees & Charges 2012-2013
Subdivision Applications:
Subdivision is controlled by the Western Australian Planning Commission rather than the Shire, however, local planning considerations still play a role and the Shire can provide advice in this regard. Information and application forms for subdivision approvals can be obtained from http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/
Development Assessment Panel Applications:
The legislation requires that all development applications above a certain financial threshold be determined by a DAP, with the opportunity for proponents of developments below the threshold to opt in. Assessment by a DAP is compulsory for developments valued at over $7 million. The "opt-in" threshold is $3 million. The DAPs will consist of an independent chairman, two local council representatives, and three members with expertise in fields to be prescribed.
Information and application forms for Development Assessment Panel applications can be obtained from http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/
Local Planning Scheme No. 5:
The Shire of Irwin is covered by one Planning Scheme that stipulates the land use zoning and development controls. The Shire of Irwin Local Planning Scheme No. 5 was Gazetted (i.e. legally approved) on 7 May 2008.
The Scheme comprises:
a) The Scheme text;
b) The Scheme maps (sheets 1 to 8)
Scheme Legend
Map 1 (Rural Overview)
Map 2 (Bonniefield, Racecourse)
Map 3 (Racecourse, Town, LIA, Springfield)
Map 4 (Port Denison, Springfield)
Map 5 (Midlands Road, Brand Highway, Pettit Lane)
Map 6 (Springfield)
Map 7 (Midlands Road, Brand Highway)
Map 8 (Irwin, Piggery Lane, Midlands Road)
The Scheme is to be read in conjunction with the Local Planning Strategy. The Strategy acts as a guide for the progressive development of the local authority over the next 10 to 15 years. It sets out the long-term planning directions for the local government, applies State and regional planning policies and provides the rationale for the zones and other provisions of the Local Planning Scheme. The Shire’s Local Planning Strategy is soundly based on the identification of Policy Areas of which:
- Policy Areas B and F embrace the Dongara/Port Denison Urban Area and;
- Policy Areas A, C, D, E and G embrace the balance rural hinterland area of the Shire.
Amending the Planning Scheme:
If a use is not allowed under the Planning Scheme, Council may agree to amend it to allow for different uses. A number of factors need to be taken into account when an Amendment to a Planning Scheme is proposed. Generally, Council must be satisfied that:
- an explanatory report clearly defining what is proposed is prepared; and
- affects on the environment are considered and that social and economic effects have been addressed.
All Planning Scheme Amendments will have an accompanying fee that will need to be paid before the matter is determined. Please refer to Fees and Charges for details of planning related charges.
Local Planning Polices:
The Shire has adopted several Local Planning Policies under the Planning Scheme which guide decision making in the determination of applications made pursuant to the Scheme.
The following Local Planning Policies have been finalised;
- Local Planning Policy 1 - Ancillary Accommodation
- Local Planning Policy 2 - Building Envelopes
Current Notifications for Public Comment:
The following applications are available for public comment:
Details of the applications can be viewed at the Shire Office. A copy of the advertisement for current planning proposals are available under latest news on this website.
Please note that the Shire in determining the application will take into account any submissions received, but are not obliged to support those views.
Important Planning Policies and Documents:
- Residential Design Codes (State Planning Policy 3.1)
- Liveable Neighbourhoods (Operational Policy)
- Adjoining Landowners Consultation Form
- Public Open Space Strategy - Shire of irwin
- Guidelines for Building - Moreton Bay Estate