The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has opened public consultation on a draft chapter governing Local Development Plans (LDPs), a reform that could directly affect how agritourism operators navigate site-specific planning approvals. Submissions are open from 2 June 2026 to 28 July 2026 via the Have Your Say WA website.
What Is Being Proposed
The draft LDP chapter forms part of the WA Planning Manual, the WAPC’s central resource for planning guidance, templates, and procedures used across the state. Local Development Plans are the mechanism local governments use to manage development outcomes on specific sites — particularly those that are constrained, complex, or smaller in scale. Many agritourism developments, which often involve mixed-use or staged infrastructure on rural landholdings, fall into exactly these categories.
The WAPC has acknowledged that current LDP practices are inconsistent across Western Australia, with different local governments preparing, applying, and reviewing plans in varying ways. The proposed chapter aims to standardise this process and align it with proposed updates to the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
Why This Matters for Agritourism Operators
Inconsistent LDP application has been a practical barrier for rural and agritourism operators seeking planning approvals. A site-specific LDP can determine setbacks, land use permissions, built form requirements, and staging conditions — all of which carry direct cost and compliance implications for operators developing accommodation, cellar doors, farm experiences, or ancillary infrastructure.
If the reforms deliver the stated objective of greater consistency and transparency, operators can expect:
- More predictable timelines when engaging with local government on site-specific planning applications
- Clearer criteria for what triggers an LDP requirement and how it is assessed
- Reduced variability in outcomes between shires, benefiting operators who work across regional boundaries or who compare approval experiences with peers
The draft chapter also reflects proposed regulatory changes, meaning the final guidance is likely to carry legal weight under the updated Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
How to Make a Submission
The WAPC is seeking feedback from industry practitioners, developers, local governments, and the community. Agritourism operators with experience navigating LDP processes — particularly those who have encountered inconsistency or delays — are well-positioned to contribute practical, evidence-based input.
- Submissions close: 28 July 2026
- Submission portal: Have Your Say WA website
- Contact: Planning Frameworks team, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
- Phone: 6551 8002
- Email: planningframeworks@dplh.wa.gov.au
- Address: 140 William Street, Perth WA 6000
Operators are encouraged to review the draft chapter and consider how current LDP requirements have affected their planning applications before the submission window closes.
The WAAA News Team
