Published on:
Thursday, 19 June 2025
Key Points:
WALGA welcomes the State Government’s announcement regarding a review into Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) and that WALGA will be a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission’s Stakeholder Advisory Group, informing the review.
The R-Codes provide the planning and design provisions for residential development in Western Australia and are used by Local Governments to assess and approve residential development applications, including subdivisions and individual dwellings.
The State Government has acknowledged that over time, the Codes have become increasingly layered and difficult to navigate, adding complexity and inefficiencies.
The review into R-Codes provides the opportunity for the State Government to work with Local Government to ensure planning frameworks and policies are fit-for-purpose.
The focus of the R-Codes Review should not take away from the current review of the Liveable Neighbourhoods design manual for new sub-divisions and suburbs. The Liveable Neighbourhoods Review is vital to address some of the key structural challenges facing new housing developments and ensuring the communities our new houses go into are liveable, sustainable and great places to live.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said WALGA has always maintained that Local Governments are best placed to work with residents and developers to achieve long-term housing outcomes at the local level.
President Chappel said given the incremental erosion of Local Governments’ role in planning and approvals, at times with little or no consultation, the R-Codes review would provide the opportunity for the Local Government sector to be properly engaged.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with the State Government to review the R-Codes and WALGA will advocate for better outcomes for Local Governments and their communities across the State,” President Chappel said.
“Local Government is an important decision maker, regulator, and participant in the WA planning system.
“Local Government plays a key role in setting the strategic land use planning framework and managing statutory functions at a local level and these insights will be crucial as part of the review into R-Codes.
“While recognising the State Government’s efforts in boosting housing supply, it is vital that planning frameworks, including R-Codes have a focus on long-term outcomes, especially considering the challenges facing our urban communities across WA.”
Recent data from WALGA’s Planning and Building Performance Project further highlights the significant role of Local Governments in determining and approving new developments, particularly new housing across Western Australia.
49 Local Governments participated in the 2023-24 Project, with the participating Local Governments determining 16,250 development applications, with an approval rate for development applications of 99 per cent.
- State Government announces review into Residential Design Codes
- Western Australia Planning Commission to appoint WALGA to Stakeholder Advisory Group for R-Codes Review
- Important role of Local Government acknowledged in Review
WALGA welcomes the State Government’s announcement regarding a review into Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) and that WALGA will be a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission’s Stakeholder Advisory Group, informing the review.
The R-Codes provide the planning and design provisions for residential development in Western Australia and are used by Local Governments to assess and approve residential development applications, including subdivisions and individual dwellings.
The State Government has acknowledged that over time, the Codes have become increasingly layered and difficult to navigate, adding complexity and inefficiencies.
The review into R-Codes provides the opportunity for the State Government to work with Local Government to ensure planning frameworks and policies are fit-for-purpose.
The focus of the R-Codes Review should not take away from the current review of the Liveable Neighbourhoods design manual for new sub-divisions and suburbs. The Liveable Neighbourhoods Review is vital to address some of the key structural challenges facing new housing developments and ensuring the communities our new houses go into are liveable, sustainable and great places to live.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said WALGA has always maintained that Local Governments are best placed to work with residents and developers to achieve long-term housing outcomes at the local level.
President Chappel said given the incremental erosion of Local Governments’ role in planning and approvals, at times with little or no consultation, the R-Codes review would provide the opportunity for the Local Government sector to be properly engaged.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with the State Government to review the R-Codes and WALGA will advocate for better outcomes for Local Governments and their communities across the State,” President Chappel said.
“Local Government is an important decision maker, regulator, and participant in the WA planning system.
“Local Government plays a key role in setting the strategic land use planning framework and managing statutory functions at a local level and these insights will be crucial as part of the review into R-Codes.
“While recognising the State Government’s efforts in boosting housing supply, it is vital that planning frameworks, including R-Codes have a focus on long-term outcomes, especially considering the challenges facing our urban communities across WA.”
Recent data from WALGA’s Planning and Building Performance Project further highlights the significant role of Local Governments in determining and approving new developments, particularly new housing across Western Australia.
49 Local Governments participated in the 2023-24 Project, with the participating Local Governments determining 16,250 development applications, with an approval rate for development applications of 99 per cent.
