Frequently asked questions

A District Structure Plan (DSP) is a planning document that provides a framework for guidance on how an area will be planned and developed in the future. It provides an organised development approach to ensure the future community is well-designed, complete with local amenities and community facilities.

A DSP provides consideration of broad strategic land use and infrastructure coordination across a large area. This long-term plan does not rezone the land – it sets out the steps needed to allow rezoning to occur.

The Albany North DSP planning area has previously undergone significant planning processes and engagement, reflecting the various interests in the development of the area. The DSP area includes many land parcels zoned Urban Development in the City of Albany Local Planning Scheme No. 2 (LPS 2). The City of Albany’s strategic planning has designated the area for urban growth since 2019. The DSP area brings together a planning process where there are many landowners, which is why this is a Government led process.

Yes, a number of local structure plans and development plans within the Albany North DSP area have already been approved by the WAPC, however, five out of seven are set to expire within two years.

The DSP will be an overarching strategic document that sits above the local structure plans and establishes an important level of alignment for whole-of-area infrastructure and community services. The WAPC will consider the revocation of existing local structure plans if they result in inconsistency between the DSP and current approved structure plans.  

A district structure plan addresses potential issues in a development area and outlines major elements such as roads, open spaces, commercial and industrial areas, and environmental factors. The DSP will provide direction for more detailed planning stages, such as local structure plans and local planning scheme amendments.  

A local structure plan deals with residential density, subdivision, and coordinating infrastructure on a smaller neighbourhood scale.  

The functions of the WAPC include preparing various planning documents, including DSPs, where necessary to coordinate planning and development in the State. The WAPC has approved the preparation of the Albany North DSP and instructed the Department to undertake the project on its behalf.  

The Department is leading the project, including engaging relevant consultants to prepare technical studies and publication material, in collaboration with the City of Albany. Engagement consultant Shape Urban has been contracted to facilitate community and stakeholder engagement.  

The following elements of the project are fixed and cannot be changed: 

• The DSP requires consideration and determination by the WAPC.
• A scheme amendment will ultimately be required for land zoned ‘Rural’ to be rezoned to ‘Urban Development’ zone to implement the DSP in those areas. 
• The format and content of the DSP are to comply with the WAPC’s WA Planning Manual – District Structure Plans.
• Provision for the delivery of land for housing, industry, education, recreation, and community facilities.
• Following this first stage of preliminary consultation, the DSP report, plan and technical reports will be required to be advertised.  
• Delivery of key road connections, as to be determined by the traffic analysis.  

Community can influence several elements in the Albany North DSP including: 

• A vision statement for how future growth and development of the DSP area will progress. 
• Identifying the opportunities and issues that exist in the DSP area. 
• Potential locations of social and community infrastructure. 
• Help define what the key elements of the public realm will be. 
• Provide feedback on what future building design should look like. 
• Defining what the future use of land will look like.  
• Contribute to discussions on residential density and the type and style of housing. 
• Public Open Space areas and function.  

A range of mechanisms may be utilised to help fund new infrastructure for the Albany North DSP area. This could include a Development Contribution Plan (DCP), grants funding or other mechanisms. Items funded through a DCP may include development infrastructure (e.g. Roads) and community infrastructure (e.g. Community Centre).

The funding and delivery of infrastructure will need to ensure that the allocation of costs is transparent, equitable and accountable, and subject to consultation with the community prior to being implemented.

If a DCP is implemented it will need to be formally incorporated into the City of Albany’s Local Planning Scheme No. 2 and is subject to separate public consultation and approval by the Minister for Planning. Funding arrangements will be investigated as part of the planning and approval of the DSP.

The provision of community infrastructure is also required to be informed by a Community Infrastructure Plan which will need to be prepared by the City of Albany. This is a separate process to the preparation of the DSP and DCP and the community will be consulted further during this process.

The plan will apply to your property if your property is located within the DSP boundary (please see map under Key Documents).  

Impacts on particular properties are not yet established until the draft plan is prepared in collaboration with the community and relevant State government agencies. The DSP does not mean you have an obligation to develop but will provide the framework for future subdivision and zoning, when a landowner chooses to develop/subdivide. There are opportunities throughout the project where you can help inform how the DSP is developed and provide feedback on the draft.

If you are concerned about the possible changes, the best thing you can do is get involved and provide as much feedback as possible. You can: 

• Consider nominating for inclusion within the Community Reference Group. 
• Provide formal submissions to the project team, the Department or the City. 
• Engage with your local council members. 
• Follow the public engagement process, including completing the online surveys.

The DSP will take approximately 18 months to complete. There are several elements to consider, including community inputs, and technical considerations – services, traffic, environment, and cultural and heritage matters.  

The final decision for the DSP will be made by the WAPC in consultation with relevant local and State government authorities.  

Yes, however this is only required initially for the lots that are not currently zoned Urban Development. Should the WAPC approve the Albany North DSP, the City of Albany will be required to initiate a scheme amendment to rezone lots from Rural to Urban Development to allow the DSP to be fully implemented.

We will deliver the Albany North DSP with the support of a Community Reference Group (CRG) from a representative sample of your community. You can read more about the CRG here.