Frequently Asked Questions

A Planning Code is a statutory planning instrument made under Part 3A of the Planning and Development Act 2005 (the Act). It can address any matter that can be dealt with by a local planning scheme, as listed in Schedule 7 of the Act. Planning Codes were introduced in 2024 through the Planning and Development (Planning Code) Regulations 2024. To date, the only Planning Code is the Residential Design Codes.

The Code has been prepared to provide consistent statewide development standards and application requirements for the siting, design, construction, operation and decommissioning of energy infrastructure.

It aims to improve certainty for industry, local governments and communities by establishing clear development standards, application requirements and guidance on managing impacts such as noise and visual amenity.

By clarifying expectations for wind farms now, and for other technologies in future parts, it supports Western Australia’s transition to lower-emission electricity and more reliable energy systems.

The initial focus of the Code is on onshore wind farms (Part 2). The Code does not apply to offshore wind infrastructure in Commonwealth waters. Public works exempt under s.6 of the Act are also not addressed, although proponents are expected to have due regard to the Code.

New sections of the Code are flagged for future development to address transmission infrastructure, solar farms and battery energy storage systems.

The Code will take effect once it is incorporated into local planning schemes. At that point, it will have the status of subsidiary legislation, meaning it becomes a legally enforceable part of the planning framework and will apply consistently across Western Australia.

Regulatory changes are also proposed to require decision-makers to have due regard to the Code even before it is formally incorporated into local planning schemes. This would allow its objectives and provisions to inform assessments and decisions in the interim, supporting a more consistent and transparent approach across the state.

The Code identifies key policy areas – called Elements - that must be addressed in any development application for a wind farm. These Elements cover:

• Safety
• Noise
• Single House Development Potential on Non-Host Lots
• Landscape
• Shadow Flicker
• Natural Environment
• Natural Hazards
• Aviation
• Electromagnetic Interference
• Transport
• Construction
• Decommissioning

Each Element includes objectives and corresponding development provisions to ensure all critical aspects of wind farm siting, design, construction, operation and decommissioning are addressed.

Each Element includes Element Objectives and either Performance Outcomes and/or Acceptable Outcomes.

•  A development application must show how an Element Objective is met by addressing either the Acceptable Outcomes or Performance Outcomes for that Element.
• If the Acceptable Outcome is satisfied, the corresponding Element Objective is considered met.
• Where Performance Outcomes apply, the decision-maker will exercise judgment and undertake a merit-based assessment.
• For each Element Objective(s), an application must follow one pathway only – Acceptable Outcome or Performance Outcome, not both.

The Guidelines accompanying the draft Code provide practical, user-friendly guidance on meeting the Code’s requirements. They outline the information proponents should submit, the types of plans and reports likely to be required, and expectations for early, meaningful engagement with local communities. They are intended to help proponents prepare complete and quality applications.

Both the Code provisions and the supporting Guidelines are presented together in a composite document, with statutory requirements clearly distinguished from advisory guidance.

The Code will formally apply once it is approved and incorporated into local planning schemes. This incorporation is expected to occur after the Code’s finalisation, likely around mid-2026.

Decision-makers may have regard to the Code once it is finalised, even before it is incorporated into local planning schemes, as a matter that can be considered under clause 67(2)(zb) of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (LPS Regulations). This clause allows consideration of any other planning matter the local government considers appropriate.

Amendments are proposed to the LPS Regulations to support implementation of the Renewable Energy Planning Code and ensure local planning frameworks are consistent with it.

Details are provided in the Information Sheet – Renewable Energy – Policy Intent Summary: Proposed Amendment to the Planning and Development Local Planning Schemes) Regulations.

Changes to the Model Provisions will guide local governments on how to incorporate the Code into their local planning schemes. This will occur through future scheme amendments or reviews, ensuring the Code is embedded in local planning frameworks.

The proposed changes will:

• promote consistency between local planning instruments and approved planning codes;
• require local governments to give due regard to approved planning codes when considering development applications;
• address new noise-sensitive development near wind farms; and
• introduce new land use definitions relevant to renewable and green energy facilities.

Once drafted, consultation on the regulation amendments is expected to occur in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2005.

The amendments will classify major renewable energy facilities, including wind farms, solar farms, battery storage, transmission systems, and hydrogen and ammonia production facilities, valued at $20 million or more as mandatory significant development. These projects will be required to be determined by the Western Australian Planning Commission under Part 11B of the Act.

Further details are available in the Information Sheet – Renewable Energy – Policy Intent Summary: Proposed Amendment to the Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations.

The Renewable Energy Planning Code and amendments to the LPS Regulations will work together to protect community amenity and avoid land-use conflicts. The Code requires new wind farms to maintain sufficient separation from existing houses and other noise-sensitive land uses to comply with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. It also includes provisions to ensure that non-host lots near wind farm sites remain capable of accommodating a future house in a location not subject to unacceptable noise impacts.

The proposed amendment to the LPS Regulations will require development applications for new houses and other noise-sensitive uses within a defined proximity of existing and approved wind farms, notwithstanding any existing exemptions. These applications will be assessed to ensure new development is not exposed to unacceptable noise impacts.

No. You will still be able to build a house if it is a permitted or discretionary use under your local planning scheme. However, if you propose a house within 2km of the wind farm site, the changes may require a development application to ensure it is not located in an area exposed to unacceptable noise impacts.

Local planning schemes set out the zones where different types of energy infrastructure are permitted. These zones establish land-use permissibility, while the Renewable Energy Planning Code provides development standards and requirements for how projects are designed and assessed within those zones.

Yes. Community members can provide feedback during the public advertising period for development applications where consultation is required under local planning schemes.

The Renewable Energy Planning Code also encourages proponents to undertake comprehensive pre-lodgement engagement with affected communities – consulting early, sharing clear and accessible information, and responding to local concerns before an application is submitted.

Decision-makers are required to consider community submissions alongside technical assessments when determining applications.

Micro-siting allows minor adjustments to the location of individual turbines within an approved wind turbine envelope. The Code provides for an envelope with a maximum radius of 100 metres, allowing adjustments after development approval and before construction, provided all Code requirements are met anywhere within the envelope.

While the Code itself does not set requirements for community benefit-sharing, the Guidelines strongly encourage proponents to engage early and proactively with communities and key stakeholders to identify potential community benefit initiatives. Guidance on developing benefit-sharing agreements is provided in the Draft Guideline on Community Benefits for Renewable Energy Projects: Consultation Paper (DEMIRS, 2025).

No. These agreements sit outside the planning system and are not considered in planning decisions. However, proponents are encouraged to disclose any relevant arrangements as part of their application to provide context and support community understanding of the proposal.

The draft Renewable Energy Planning Code and accompanying Guidelines are open for public submissions.

Proposed changes to the LPS Regulations and Significant Development Regulations are provided for information only. While specific comment is not sought on these changes, information sheets are provided to give stakeholders a complete understanding and to inform submissions on the Code.

Submissions can be made by completing the online questionnaire or by providing a written submission via post or email. Full details are available on Have Your Say, WA!

Submissions can be made at any time during the advertising period, which runs until Friday 10 April 2026.

All submissions will be considered by the Department and the Western Australian Planning Commission and may inform revisions to the Code and Guidelines.

Details of consultation events will be published on Have Your Say, WA! as they are released.