The overwhelming majority of development applications across Perth are being dealt with in a timely manner, as reported in the latest Local Government Performance Monitoring Project.

The Project reports on the planning and building functions of 19 metropolitan Local Governments over the 2017/18 financial year, encompassing over 90 per cent of Greater Perth Region’s total population. 

WA Local Government Association President Cr Craigie said the sector had again displayed excellent performance across all planning and building functions.

“With an additional eight Local Governments participating in this second year of the project, performance has remained high with almost no change across most indicators,” Cr Craigie said.

An impressive 98% of all applications were approved or responded to within the statutory timeframes. This data represents almost all of the population of Perth and is a testament to the sector’s competence in carrying out their responsibilities in a timely manner.” 

Cr Craigie said the vast majority of applications were approved under delegated authority, allowing for a more streamlined process.

“On average 97% of applications were approved under delegated authority, allowing Council officers to assess and approve applications, rather than being considered at a full Council meeting,” she said.

“This process of delegation results in faster decision-making times without compromising the outcome.”

Cr Craigie said WALGA was in discussion for more Local Governments to participate in the project, in particular those from the inner metropolitan region and larger regional areas. She confirmed the State Government had been advised of the project results, with the sector keen to engage with the State on a wider review of the planning process.

“As the project grows, Local Governments will be able to measure current performance and compare against previous years to encourage a continued improvement process across their planning and building functions,” she said.

“The sector is committed to working with the State to progress a more transparent review of the entire planning process, which would allow our Members the opportunity to provide greater input and feedback into any findings and methods of assessment."

“We would like to see the data sets from this project included in any regulations that might be prepared by the State for all Local Governments.”


Further information and Background  
  • 98% of all applications were approved or responded to within the statutory timeframes (applications includes all planning development applications, subdivision referrals and clearances, building strata clearances (Form 26s and building permits). No change from the 2016/17 report.
  • On average 97% of applications were approved under delegated authority, allowing Council officers to assess and approve the application rather than being considered at a full Council meeting. This is a 1% increase from the 2016/17 report.
  • 99% of all Building Applications were approved within the statutory timeframes.
  • Seven Local Governments have a current Local Planning Strategy with nine currently reviewing their strategies.
  • Although a current Local Planning Strategy may not have been adopted, on average the group had seven Strategic documents that supported land use planning functions, either a Strategic Community Plan, Community infrastructure, Commercial, Housing, Environment, Economic, Transport, Activity Centre, Heritage or Open Space Strategy.
  • Fourteen of the Local Governments had reviewed, consolidated or undertaken an audit of their Local Planning Scheme in the last five years. 
  • In 2017/18 the Local Governments finalised an average of five scheme amendments, taking an average of 20 months to complete. 
  • On average, 40% of an amendment time is with the WA Planning Commission or Minister for Planning or the Environmental Protection Authority, resulting in an average time that a Local Government has any control over the Scheme amendment process around 60%.
Local Governments involved in the project are: 
  • City of Armadale
  • City of Bayswater
  • City of Belmont
  • City of Canning
  • City of Cockburn
  • City of Gosnells
  • City of Joondalup
  • City of Kwinana
  • City of Mandurah
  • City of Melville
  • Shire of Mundaring
  • City of Rockingham
  • City of South Perth
  • City of Stirling
  • City of Subiaco
  • City of Swan 
  • Town of Victoria Park
  • City of Vincent
  • City of Wanneroo