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Western Australian Planning Commission

The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is a government board with State-wide responsibility for integrated urban and regional land use planning and development.

The WAPC has State-wide responsibility for integrated urban and regional land use planning and development, working in conjunction with State and local government to develop a system, policies and plans for the long term benefit of the Western Australian community.  The WAPC is established under the Planning and Development Act 2005 which defines its functions including:

  • advising the Minister for Planning on strategic land use planning and development, legislation and planning schemes
  • maintaining the State Planning Strategy to provide a vision for the future development of Western Australia
  • developing integrated land use planning strategies and policies for the coordination of transport, infrastructure and development
  • preparing and reviewing region schemes to cater for anticipated growth
  • researching and developing planning methods and models relating to land use planning, land development and associated matters (including monitoring land and housing supply)
  • reserving and acquiring land for public purposes in region planning scheme areas
  • making statutory decisions on a range of planning application types including applications to subdivide land and significant development.

Planning and Infrastructure

Whilst land use planning and planning for the infrastructure necessary to support it are inextricably linked, the way infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered has evolved considerably in recent years, including through the establishment of Infrastructure Western Australia (IWA) which provides strategic advice and assesses major proposals.  Recommendation 11 of the 2023 Review of the WAPC outlined the Commission’s role in infrastructure which includes:

  1. Considering the infrastructure needs and opportunities to facilitate future state development in its preparation of strategic plans (through a collaborative whole of government formulation process).
  2. Designating future land use and publishing population projections to enable forward planning by infrastructure agencies.
  3. Assessing the infrastructure requirements and implications of planning proposals submitted to it for approval and factoring this into decision making.
  4. Facilitating the identification, protection and acquisition of land for future infrastructure needs and the delivery of some major proposals (such as Metronet land assembly).

Certain planning policies have implications for infrastructure including those which specify the minimum level of service or contributions necessary to sustain new development. 

The input of service agencies and integration of multiple factors (including sustainability) remain important considerations for the WAPC in making land use planning decisions. 

WAPC is generally not directly involved in the prioritisation and allocation of funding for either infrastructure planning or delivery but can provide advice to Government on this from a land use planning perspective.

The WAPC operates with the support of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, which provides professional and technical expertise, administrative services, and corporate resources, and which undertakes a number of WAPC functions under delegation.

A review of the WAPC was conducted in 2022 which resulted in a number of reforms being introduced through the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2023. These reforms were complemented by operational changes to increase the efficiency of the WAPC and its focus on strategic planning.

From July 1 2024, the following changes were introduced:

  • a smaller, more strategically focused WAPC board of nine members with diverse expertise relevant to planning and Board functions
  • refinement of the statement of functions to provide a clearer and more comprehensive outline of the WAPC's responsibilities
  • the reallocation of some responsibilities from the WAPC board to the Statutory Planning Committee, including determination of most Part 11B significant development applications
  • opening meetings to the public for statutory planning proposals where the WAPC is the final decision-maker for increased transparency
  • introduction of livestreaming where meetings are open to the public.

WAPC board and committees

View WAPC board and committees and member details.

WAPC agendas, minutes and deputations

Access committee agendas and minutes and to make a request or deputation/written submission.

Review of the Western Australian Planning Commission

The structure and operation of the Western Australian Planning Commission was recently reviewed.

About the WAPC Chairperson, Emma Cole

Emma Cole is the Chair of the WA Planning Commission and brings urban and regional planning, board and governance expertise, and diverse state and local government experience.

Emma most recently served as WAPC Deputy Chair and first joined the Planning Commission in February 2020.

Emma is also currently the Chair of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), which plays a pivotal role as a conduit between the public sector leaders of the State's Hazard Management Agencies. As a member of the Keystart Homeloans board, Emma understands the importance of affordable housing and has helped oversee Keystart’s transition towards a Government Trading Enterprise.

Emma has 10 years of experience in local government, including as a former Mayor and Development Assessment Panel local government member. During her time as Mayor of the City of Vincent, Emma oversaw significant reforms in good governance, community and stakeholder engagement and modernisation of the City's local planning framework, resulting in an innovative approach to urban renewal and development.

Emma is a full member of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia WA.

Emma holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Related pages

WAPC delegation notices

The Planning and Development Act 2005 (section 16) provides for the delegation of the functions of the WAPC.

Action plan for Planning Reform

The State Governments has been implementing an ambitious program of reform since 2019.

State Planning Framework

State planning framework is the basis for coordinating and promoting land use planning, transport planning and land development in a sustainable manner, and for the guidance of public authorities and local governments.

State Planning Policies

State planning policies provide the highest level of planning policy control and guidance in Western Australia. Prepared under Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2005.
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Last updated: 14 January 2025