Structure plans help guide how areas may grow and change over time.
They set out a long-term vision for future development and help identify the preferred layout for things like:
By planning these elements together, structure plans help ensure future growth is coordinated, well-designed and supports the needs of the community.
A structure plan does not approve development or require landowners to build or subdivide their land. It shows how an area could develop over time and helps coordinate future growth. It provides a framework to guide future planning and development decisions if development is proposed.
Many structure plans are implemented gradually over a number of years, allowing growth and change to occur in an orderly manner while respecting the unique characteristics of the local area.
What is a structure plan?
A structure plan is a planning document that shows how a particular area may develop in the future.
It may identify:
- different land uses, including future housing
- roads and transport connections
- parks and public open space
- community facilities
- drainage and essential services
- environmental and bushfire requirements
- how development may occur over time.
Structure plans can be prepared for undeveloped land, established areas identified for redevelopment, or locations where coordinated planning is needed to manage future growth.
Why are structure plans important?
Structure plans help provide a shared understanding of how an area may change over time.
They assist the community, landowners, developers, and government agencies by establishing a clear framework for future planning and development.
Structure plans can help answer questions such as:
- Where could future housing be located?
- How will people move around the area?
- Where might parks and community facilities be provided?
- How will environmental and bushfire considerations be managed?
- How can future development occur in an orderly and coordinated way?
How could a structure plan affect my property?
Being within a structure plan area does not mean that you must subdivide, develop or sell your property. You can continue to own and use your property as you do now.
If you choose to pursue subdivision or development in the future, the structure plan can help explain and guide how your land may connect with surrounding roads, services, open space, and community infrastructure.
Where does a structure plan fit in the planning process?
A structure plan is an early step in the planning process. It shows the big-picture vision for the area but does not approve subdivision or development.
The process generally moves through four stages:
- Planning for future growth: strategic planning identifies where and how the broader community may grow over time.
- Planning the area: a structure plan shows how a particular area could be organised, including possible locations for housing, roads, parks, and services.
- Creating new lots: a separate subdivision application is needed to create lots, roads, and public open space.
- Applying to develop land: a separate development application may be needed before buildings are constructed or land uses begin.
Each stage has its own assessment and approval process. Approval of a structure plan does not mean that subdivision or development has also been approved.
How is a structure plan prepared and approved?
The same process generally applies whether a structure plan is prepared by the Shire, a landowner, or a developer:
- Investigations and studies: identify the land’s opportunities and constraints.
- Preparing the structure plan: prepare the draft structure plan and supporting reports.
- Community consultation: the community, government agencies and service providers are given an opportunity to comment.
- Shire assessment: the Shire considers the proposal, technical information, and feedback before making a recommendation.
- WAPC decision: the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) makes the final decision and may approve, modify, or refuse the structure plan application.
The process is set out in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
Depending on the size and complexity of the proposal, this process can take many months and sometimes several years.
Who makes the final decision?
The WAPC makes the final decision on a structure plan.
The Shire does not make the final decision. Its role is to:
- assess the proposal against the local planning framework
- invite and consider community feedback
- consult with relevant government agencies and service providers
- make a recommendation to the WAPC.
Relevant agencies may provide advice about bushfire risk, the environment, health, roads, traffic, and services, such as water, power, education, and public transport.
Have your say
When a structure plan is advertised, community members can review the proposal and provide feedback. Your local knowledge can help identify opportunities, issues and concerns before a final decision is made.
How are submissions considered?
The Shire and WAPC assess a structure plan on its merits. This means considering whether a proposal would result in an appropriate planning outcome, having regard to relevant planning legislation, policies, and strategies.
The number of submissions supporting or opposing a proposal does not, by itself, determine the outcome. Greater weight is given to whether the submissions raise relevant planning concerns or identify genuine planning issues.
What can be considered?
Submissions can raise planning matters relevant to the structure plan, such as:
- proposed land uses and housing
- roads, traffic, walking and cycling connections
- parks, public open space, and community facilities
- bushfire risk and emergency access
- environmental impacts
- drainage, water, power, and other services
- planning impacts on nearby properties and the surrounding area, such as traffic, access, noise, or safety
- how development could occur over time.
What generally cannot be considered?
We understand that community members have a wide range of concerns. However, the Shire and WAPC can generally consider only matters relevant to planning when assessing a structure plan.
Matters that generally cannot be considered include:
- effects on individual property values
- whether a landowner intends to sell or develop their property
- private disputes between individuals or groups
- personal views about an applicant, landowner, or developer
- commercial competition between businesses
- matters outside the scope of the proposed structure plan.
A concern may still be considered if it identifies an underlying planning issue, such as traffic, access, noise, or environmental impacts.
When making a submission, clearly explain your concern, how it may affect you or the wider community, and any changes you would like considered. All submissions will be reviewed, however the assessment and decision must be based on relevant planning considerations.
Find a structure plan
Approved structure plans for Shire of Mundaring
Proposed structure plans
Before you begin
We recommend engaging a planning consultant to prepare the structure plan and supporting documents.
If you are a landowner, or acting on behalf of a landowner, we also encourage you to speak with nearby landowners about including their land in the structure plan area. Including neighbouring land can help coordinate future roads, services, open space, and development across the wider area.
Before lodging an application:
- arrange a pre-lodgement meeting with Shire officers
- discuss the proposal with relevant government agencies and service providers
- identify and address significant issues as early as possible.
We encourage you to submit copies of any preliminary advice from government agencies and service providers with your application. Providing this advice will help the Shire understand how key issues have been considered in the preparation of the structure plan and assist with its assessment.
The statutory assessment period provides limited time to make substantial changes after an application has been lodged. If significant issues have not been identified and addressed beforehand, the Shire may need to assess the application as submitted. This could result in an unfavourable recommendation to the WAPC.
Preparing your documents
A structure plan generally includes a map, supporting report and technical documents.
Structure plans and amendments should be prepared in accordance with the WAPC’s WA Planning Manual – Guidance for Structure Plans.
Lodging a structure plan or amendment
Applications can be lodged via email to shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au. Alternatively, a hard copy submission can be made at the Shire (7000 Great Eastern Highway, Mundaring WA 6073).
Questions?
Contact the Shire’s Community Planning team at shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au or on (08) 9290 6740.