Frequently asked questions

A Region Scheme Policy is a planning document prepared under the Region Scheme. Region planning scheme policies are used for strategic decisions, such as development approvals, and are tailored to regional needs. Like local planning policies, they are ancillary to the scheme and serve as guides for decision-making where relevant.

In this case, the policy is made under the Metropolitan Region Scheme and provides overarching objectives for the Parliament House Precinct that reflect its unique civic, cultural and heritage importance and guidance as to how development may support these objectives.

The Policy should not be confused with a masterplan. It does not initiate work and does not officially guide works in the public realm (although it may influence publicly accessible open space areas on the civic and cultural reserves).

The current policy was adopted in 1983 and no longer reflects current planning practices, governance arrangements or the updated precinct boundary under the Metropolitan Region Scheme.

The new policy aligns with contemporary planning and design principles and provides clearer guidance for today’s development and decision-making processes.

No.

Zoning and land reservations are established under the Metropolitan Region Scheme and are not changed by this policy.

No.

The policy does not introduce new layers of approval.

Its purpose is to clarify expectations and improve consistency in how development applications are assessed under existing planning legislation.

The DA process for both reserved and zoned land within the precinct is set out under the MRS and outlined on the MRS Development Approval Flow Chart.

The MRS Clause 28 Notice requires that development on MRS zoned land within the Parliament House Precinct is approved by the WAPC before it is commenced. This Policy is to be given due regard by the WAPC when considering whether to grant development approval under this clause. For further information please see - MRS Clause 28 Notice.

The proposed policy boundary aligns with the boundary for the Parliament House Inner Precinct of MRS Clause 28 Notice (WAPC plan 3.2858). The Precinct boundary was determined by the WAPC in January 2025.

The alignment of the policy boundary and the already determined precinct boundary ensures that the WAPC has guidance when considering all MRS DAs made under the Clause 28 Notice. 

The MRS Clause 28 notice boundary for the Parliament House Inner Precinct was revised in response to a WAPC endorsed Policy Health Check of 2023which found that the majority of the views that determined the previous boundary had been significantly altered.

The primary purpose of this Region Scheme Policy is to guide WAPC consideration of development applications made under the MRS. 

The primary purpose of the City of Perth (CoP) planning framework is to guide the City’s consideration of development applications made under the Local Planning Scheme (LPS). 

Non-reserved land/lots within the Precinct is/are required to undergo a Dual DA process and receive DAs under both the MRS and the CoP’s LPS. Development on these lots should be guided by both this Region Scheme Policy and the CoP planning framework.  

The new Region Scheme policy has been developed with reference to the requirements and guidance of the CoP and is intended to complement local planning controls and support better alignment between State and local planning expectations.

The two consultation processes are concurrent, but separate. 

Feedback from this consultation process will guide the WAPC in the development of the Region Scheme Policy for the Parliament House Precinct, while feedback from the City of Perth’s consultation process will guide the City in the development of the LPS3. 

Stakeholders are welcome to participate in both consultation processes.

Anyone with an interest in the Parliament House Precinct is invited to make a submission.

This includes residents, community members, landowners, government agencies, industry groups and organisations with an interest in heritage, design, open space or planning outcomes.

Feedback is particularly helpful on:

•    the proposed objectives and vision for the precinct

•    whether the guidance supports high-quality civic, cultural heritage and open-space outcomes

•    how clearly the policy explains development expectations

•    whether the policy is practical to implement

Certain matters are legislatively determined and not open to change through consultation, including the:

•    boundary of the Precinct and its relation to MRS Clause 28 Notice

•    MRS zoning and reservation boundaries

•    DA process and requirement for dual DA on zoned land 

•    requirements and guidance of CoP planning instruments.

After the consultation period:

•    all submissions will be reviewed and considered

•    the draft policy may be refined in response to feedback

•    the final version will be presented to the Western Australian Planning Commission for determination

A summary of consultation outcomes may be published.

Submissions may be published as part of the consultation process, but anonymity may be retained if requested. Personal information will be managed in accordance with privacy requirements.

The enhancement of the open-space landscape setting, heritage attributes and connection with surrounding cultural landmarks, are all key objectives of the policy.

The Parliament House Precinct has strong and continuing Aboriginal cultural heritage that is a key component of the broader heritage of the site.

Engagement and policy development will reflect these connections and support the protection and recognition of cultural and heritage values within the precinct.