Frequently Asked Questions

Precincts are areas that require a higher level of planning and design focus due to their complexity or strategic importance, whether through mixed-use components, quality public transport infrastructure, higher levels of density, an activity centre designation or character, heritage and/or ecological value.

Activity centres are mixed use urban areas where there is a concentration of commercial, residential and other land uses. They are multi-functional community focal points where people live, work, shop, meet and relax. They vary in size and function and are generally well-serviced by transport networks with a focus on public transport and active transport. Activity centres may include land uses such as commercial, retail, food and hospitality, medium and high-density housing, entertainment, tourism, civic/community, higher education and medical services.

There are seven classifications of activity centres under State Planning Policy 4.2 Activity Centres (SPP 4.2). The Floreat activity centre is designated as a District Centre within the activity centres hierarchy of SPP 4.2.

A PSP is a detailed local planning framework instrument that guides the future growth and development of a precinct, making recommendations about zoning changes, subdivision of land, the scale of buildings and range of desirable land uses. Some recommendations may also be proposed for inclusion in the local planning scheme to provide a more robust statutory framework to guide development.

A PSP for an activity centre outlines land use, density and development, access arrangements, infrastructure, environmental assets and community facilities to facilitate future subdivision and development.

In accordance with SPP 4.2, a precinct structure plan (PSP) should be prepared for strategic, secondary, district and specialised activity centres in accordance with State Planning Policy 7.2 Precinct Design (SPP 7.2) and the SPP 7.2 Precinct Design Guidelines. The requirement to prepare a PSP should also be outlined in a in a local planning strategy and/or local planning scheme, as is the case for the Floreat district centre in the endorsed Local Planning Strategy of the Town of Cambridge (Town).

A PSP should be prepared and endorsed prior to the major development of an activity centre, to ensure its development occurs in an integrated and cohesive manner.

The process for preparing, assessing and determining a PSP is outlined in Schedule 2 – Deemed Provisions of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (Deemed Provisions).

In accordance with the Deemed Provisions, a PSP may be prepared by a local government or a person (or an agent of that person) who is the owner of any or all of the land in the area to which the plan relates.

The Floreat PSP has been prepared by planning consultant Hatch RobertsDay on behalf of Australasian Property Investments Limited (APIL) Group, the owners of the Floreat Forum shopping centre.

In accordance with the Deemed Provisions, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is the responsible decision-maker for a PSP. At the conclusion of its assessment and consideration process the WAPC may determine to approve the Floreat PSP (with or without modifications) or refuse the PSP.

The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) will consider any validly lodged and accepted PSP on its merits, having regard to all relevant planning matters, including its consistency with the relevant planning framework.

In the case of the Floreat PSP, relevant planning framework instruments include:

• The Town of Cambridge Town Planning Scheme No. 1
• The Town of Cambridge Local Planning Strategy
• Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million frameworks
• State Planning Policy 4.2 Activity Centres
• State Planning Policy 7.2 Precinct Design

Links to these documents can be found under ‘Important Links’ on the project page.

The local government is responsible for advertising a PSP that has been lodged with the local government in a form acceptable for the purposes of assessment and advertising, as per the requirements and timeframes stipulated in the Deemed Provisions of the Regulations. However, the WAPC has the power to advertise the PSP on behalf of the local government, if the local government has not commenced advertising within the timeframes stipulated by the Regulations.

As the Town decided not to advertise the Floreat PSP, the Statutory Planning Committee (SPC) of the WAPC resolved to advertise the Floreat PSP on the Town’s behalf, in accordance with Clause 18 of the Deemed Provisions.

Further information regarding the circumstances leading up to this decision can be found in the Agenda Report of the SPC’s 10 July 2024 Meeting, which is available to download under 'Background Documents' on the project page. 

The WAPC’s decision to advertise the PSP does not remove or replace the role of the Town during the assessment and consideration phases of the PSP post-advertising. The Town will continue to have the opportunity to consider submissions and provide its assessment and recommendation (including any proposed modifications) as part of its report to the WAPC, as per the Deemed Provisions of the Regulations, should it wish to do so.

Any concerns or recommendations raised by the Town will be considered on their merits prior to determination of the PSP by the WAPC.