Station Precincts Improvement Plan and Improvement Scheme FAQs
What is a Station Precincts Improvement Plan?
A Station Precincts Improvement Plan is a strategic, non-statutory planning document that facilitates the development of land in areas identified by the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) as requiring special planning. A Station Precincts Improvement Plan helps to implement a Station Precincts Improvement Scheme. They are generally short-to-medium term instruments, are State Government led, and override local planning controls.
What is a Station Precincts Improvement Scheme?
A Station Precincts Improvement Scheme is a statutory planning document that provides the zoning, land use, and development control provisions of station precincts. It establishes the legal framework to implement the desired improvements and outcomes of station precincts. Improvement schemes are similar instruments to local planning schemes (LPS). They contain development control provisions regarding the scheme area and are prepared in the same manner as an LPS but do not need to comply with the Model Scheme Text. An Improvement Scheme allows the State Government to become the planning authority for a particular area of land with the intention to advance its planning and development.
Who will be responsible for the creation of the improvement plan and improvement scheme?
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH).
How large is the Oats Street Station, and Carlisle Station, Station Precinct Improvement Plan and Improvement Scheme area?
Early indication is a radius of 800m from each station. Please refer to Fig 1, which shows the area currently outlined.
Will The Town's Local Planning Scheme and Local Planning Policies apply to the areas of the Station Precincts Improvement Plan and Improvement Scheme?
In short, no, they will not apply.
Whilst the Town could seek to encourage the incorporation/reflection of its Local Planning Scheme (LPS) and Local Planning Policies (LPPs) during the consultation process, any proposed development within the Improvement Scheme area would not need to comply with the Town's LPPs nor the Local Planning Scheme in any capacity. For areas captured under the Improvement Scheme, the Town's LPS will become obsolete and its LPPs will not apply.
In effect, the Town loses planning control of the areas captured under the Improvement Scheme whilst it is instated (unless WAPC agree otherwise - albeit unlikely given the nature of the proposal). However, once the Improvement Scheme expires (or is repealed), The Town's LPS and LPPs will be reinstated, and control will fall back to the Town.
What will happen with the Oats Street Precinct Structure Plan and the work that has already been undertaken and paid for by the Town?
The Town understands that existing work completed will not be discarded and will be considered in the initiative going forward, though full details are yet to be determined.
Can the Town seek reimbursement from the State Government for the costs incurred in preparing the Oats Street PSP?
The Town could make a request for reimbursement (partial or wholly), but the State does not legally have to reimburse and would be unlikely to do so.
Will The Town be involved in the Station Precincts Improvement Plan and Improvement Scheme works?
Yes, although to what extent is yet to be determined.