Minister signs off new planning scheme
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s new local planning scheme has been approved by the State’s Planning Minister, subject to several significant modifications.
The Local Planning Scheme 2 (LPS2) will serve as the new ‘rulebook’ for land use to guide development and manage growth in the Shire.
Council endorsed the draft LPS2 in November 2024 following six years of extensive community consultation, including public meetings, stakeholder sessions and drop-in events.
More than 800 community submissions also helped shape the final draft. The plan was then submitted to the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) for review and Ministerial approval in line with legislated requirements.
While the Minister has supported some Shire recommendations, including designation of all rural land in the Shire as ‘Priority Agriculture’, several key modifications proposed by the Shire were removed or not supported, including:
- Rezoning land in Gracetown currently earmarked for development to Environmental Conservation.
- Additional protection for large trees.
- Sustainability provisions aimed at improving the quality and liveability of new homes across the Shire, such as thermal efficiency.
Provisions aimed at strengthening development controls in Gnarabup, developed in response to community concerns, have also been altered by the Minister and WAPC.
Shire President Julia Jean-Rice said it was disappointing the Minister and WAPC had overlooked the community’s wishes and provided no explanation for rejecting protections aimed at preserving the distinct character of Augusta-Margaret River.
“Our objective was to develop a strong, forward-thinking scheme that supports sustainable development, so we can manage growth in a way that protects the character of our towns, safeguards the environment and meets the future needs of our residents,” said President Jean-Rice.
“Our community consultation process highlighted what matters most to our residents – like reducing development in Gracetown, safeguarding our natural environment and protecting our unique trees – however the State has disregarded these priorities, and the lack of transparency is concerning.”
“It seems that slowly but surely community voices are being excluded from the decision-making process, first in relation to individual developments and now regarding the formulation of the rules which govern future growth,” said President Jean-Rice.
Shire staff are systematically reviewing all modifications and are pursuing further explanation from the State Government to better understand the rationale behind these decisions, which cannot be appealed.
President Jean-Rice added, “We remain committed to advocating for our community’s interests and ensuring that planning processes reflect local needs and priorities.”