Questions?

The current Scheme (LPS21) has recently exceeded ten years of age and is no longer compliant with the State Planning framework. As such, the City has been directed by the State Government to prepare a new scheme to replace LPS21. 

The new scheme (Draft LPS22) will align with the State framework and streamline development standards to make the Scheme easier to understand and implement. We will also strengthen protections for the values that make the City such a special place to live and work.

For most people living and working in the City, the changes proposed in Draft LPS22 will not impact them directly. Some landowners will see the zoning of their property change and/or changes in how they can develop or use their property.

You can use the online mapping tool and enter your address to see the current and proposed planning rules for your property.

Yes – Draft LPS22 was adopted by Council for advertising at its meeting of 28 May 2025. The City presented the draft scheme to Council twice prior to this date and ran a number of workshops with Elected Members before Council’s decision to advertise.

Amendments have been made to Draft LPS22 following Councils decision and following advice provided by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with modifications required by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and the Minister for Planning.

Special Character Areas are areas identified within a local planning scheme to help protect and preserve the unique environmental, visual or historical qualities of a neighbourhood.

The Minister in making his decision noted “the City of Busselton's interest in retaining the Special Control Area - Special Character Areas provisions and wishes to explore options to strike an appropriate balance.”

Removing the Special Character Areas from Draft LPS22 at this stage provides an opportunity to better understand what makes these areas special and which aspects of local character are most important to residents of these communities. The removal of the special character areas is not final, and is a matter for consideration following consultation. The approach adopted by the Minister provides an opportunity to openly test community sentiment and better understand which aspects of local character are considered most important by residents and stakeholders for the Minsters consideration.

The City will continue to engage with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage throughout this process recognising the importance of these areas to the City and community, while also acknowledging the broader objectives of a contemporary and streamlined planning framework. The decision provides an opportunity for further consideration through the consultation process and an opportunity to consider how these objectives can be appropriately balanced.

By way of context, the contemporary direction of the planning framework is to move away from provisions in local planning schemes that operate as absolute controls and instead assess development using a range of merit-based tools, including planning objectives, design principles and desired outcomes. Development provisions may instead be included within local planning policy, providing greater flexibility to respond to site-specific circumstances while maintaining the broader intent of the planning framework.

The Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 include ‘Schedule 2 – deemed provisions for local planning schemes’. The deemed provisions automatically apply to all local planning schemes in Western Australia, including the Draft LPS22. The City cannot change the deemed provisions and the scheme must be read together with them.

Local Planning Schemes must be read in conjunction with the Deemed Provisions. 

Following the three-month consultation period, the City will review the submissions received and make changes to the Draft LPS22, where considered appropriate and necessary. The Draft LPS22 will then be presented to Council for approval.

Subject to Council approval, the City will provide a copy of the Draft LPS22 to the Minister for Planning as the final decision maker. The Draft LPS22 will come into effect once it has been approved by the Minister for Planning and published in the Government Gazette.

Yes. Please refer to the 'Drop-in Sessions' listed on this page. Sessions will be held at various locations across the City. Noting 2027 Drop-in Sessions will be updated when dates are set.

Community members are welcome to attend at any time, with no formal presentation or scheduled agenda. You will be able to meet with a planner to find out more about the City’s new planning framework.

Each submission provided will be assessed by City officers, and a recommendation provided to Council on the matters raised in the submission as a schedule of submissions attached to the report. Submitters will be notified of upcoming Council meeting dates when the Draft LPS22 will be considered.

The schedule of submissions and associated recommendations will be provided to the Minister for Planning who will make the final decision on the Draft LPS22.  

Yes. You can still submit a development application and it will be assessed against the current planning rules.