Community Engagement Outcomes- September 2024
Project Overview
On the 16 August 2023, the City of Busselton Council passed a Resolution to amend Local Planning Scheme No. 21, due to the City’s inability to exercise discretion in the assessment of planning applications within the Special Character Areas (SCAs). The City’s ability to exercise discretion within the SCAs was challenged by a Supreme Court decision in 2021 and led to a broader community discussion relating to the styles of development appropriate for the SCAs.
In response, the City’s planning team initiated the process to complete a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process to inform the review of planning controls for the SCAs of Eagle Bay, Old Dunsborough, Yallingup, and Quindalup. The City engaged Element Advisory to design and facilitate the stakeholder engagement, including the analysis of community input, and provision of recommendations to refine the SCA policies. The engagement, which occurred between June and July 2024, ensured that community members and stakeholders were informed of the process and provided with opportunities to contribute to the review through surveys and three community workshops.
Key objectives included clear communication of project intentions, gathering feedback on policy frameworks, and understanding community aspirations through online surveys, stakeholder workshops, and direct communications across various channels.
Key Findings
The engagement process revealed strong community support for maintaining the unique character and environmental values of the SCAs. Key priorities identified across the SCAs included:
Eagle Bay: Preservation of low building heights, open views, and harmonious integration with the natural environment were top priorities. There was also significant support for maintaining larger blocks and using native vegetation in landscaping.
Quindalup: Respondents emphasized the importance of protecting the area's visual amenity, with a focus on maintaining open spaces and preserving mature trees. Architectural style and the use of building materials that blend with the natural surroundings were also highlighted.
Old Dunsborough: The community prioritized retaining the area's traditional character, with particular emphasis on controlling building heights and setbacks. Landscaping that preserves native vegetation and limits visual impact was also considered crucial.
Yallingup: Feedback indicated a strong desire to preserve the rural and coastal character of Yallingup, with controls on building heights, setbacks, and the use of natural materials being key considerations.
Next Steps
The findings from the consultation informed the review of the local planning policies. The City is now preparing amended polices and incorporating a series of provisions for the City’s new draft Local Planning Scheme 22 that will provide more development certainty for residents in the SCAs.
The new polices will be advertised concurrently with the new draft Scheme in early 2025, as instructed by the Western Australian Planning Commission. The community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on both the amended polices and new draft Scheme early next year.
The City wishes to thank community members and residents within the Special Character Areas for their valuable input. This project has informed balanced planning controls that reflect the community’s aspirations, whilst also providing clear guidelines for future development.
You can view the full Engagement Outcomes Report here.
