top of page
Search

WA’s 2025 Planning Reforms: What Surveyors, Planners & Project Managers Need to Know

  • Sep 23
  • 3 min read

Western Australia’s planning system is undergoing some of the most significant reforms in years — and if you’re involved in surveying, town planning, or project management across Perth, the Great Southern, or the South West, it’s crucial to understand what’s changing and how it affects your projects.


In this blog, we’ll break down the key updates introduced through the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2023 and related regulations, explain the new Significant Development Pathway, and provide practical guidance to help you stay ahead of the curve.


What’s Changing?

The Planning and Development Amendment Act 2023 came into effect in stages during 2024, with further regulations following in 2025. These reforms include:


  • New development classification thresholds under the Significant Development Pathway: developments over certain cost thresholds can now opt to seek approval by the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) after consideration by the Significant Development Assessment Unit (SDAU).

  • The Development Assessment Panel pathway has now become entirely opt-in for developments greater than $2 million in value.

  • The mandatory periodic review of local planning schemes and policies has increased from 5 years to 10 years.

  • Streamlined processes for consultation and approvals, but also tighter oversight on major projects.


For developers and consultants, this means more assessment pathways are available for larger developments with clearer documentation expectations, and greater interaction with centralised planning authorities.



What These Planning Reforms Mean for Your Work


Town Planners

Planners should consider the Significant Development Pathway for larger or complex projects — including mixed-use developments, community housing, and infrastructure exceeding new cost thresholds. Understanding which developments can trigger WAPC or DAP involvement early in the process is key to managing the approval process in the most advantageous manner.


Harley Dykstra Director, Henry Dykstra.

Project Managers

Project managers should prepare for the updated consultation periods and additional regulatory steps introduced by the reforms. Coordination between surveyors, planners, engineers, and local authorities will be critical to avoid delays and ensure smooth approvals under the new framework.



Regional and Perth Impact

Whether you’re working on infill developments in Perth’s urban areas or managing infrastructure projects in the Great Southern or South West, these reforms affect you. 


Awareness of the new pathways can potentially expand your projects approval options, providing developers with the choice of lodging their applications with the relevant Local Government, DAP or SDAU. Understanding the nuances of each process and the potential advantages they might bring is important in the initial phase of project planning and development.  


How Harley Dykstra Can Help You Navigate the Changes

At Harley Dykstra, our multidisciplinary team of surveyors, town planners, and project managers has been closely monitoring these reforms and advising clients on their implications.


We offer:


  • Planning advice to identify the best assessment pathway for your project.

  • Project management that integrates all regulatory steps efficiently, coordinating between consultants and authorities.

  • Tailored surveying services ensuring documentation meets the latest manner and form standards.


If your project is impacted by WA’s 2025 planning reforms or you want to review your project's planning framework compliance, contact us for expert guidance before key consultation windows close on 3 October 2025.


Final Thoughts

WA’s planning reforms represent a shift towards greater flexibility and with the right expertise, they can be navigated smoothly and offer opportunities for streamlined approvals.


Stay ahead by partnering with Harley Dykstra — your local experts in surveying, planning, and project delivery across Perth and regional WA.


Contact us today to discuss how these reforms affect your upcoming developments and infrastructure projects.


Construction vehicles levelling sand on a subdivision development.

References

  1. Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC). Planning and Development Amendment Act 2023 and Associated Regulations. https://www.planning.wa.gov.au/planning-reform/current-reform-initiatives/planning-and-development-amendment-act-2023-and-associated-regulations (Accessed July 2025).

  2. Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC). Significant Development Pathway. https://www.planning.wa.gov.au/significant-development-pathway (Accessed July 2025).

  3. Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH). Local Planning Policy Review and Consultation. https://haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au/localplanningpolicies (Accessed July 2025).

  4. Government of Western Australia. Proposed reforms to further modernise WA’s local planning system. Media Statement, 7 July 2025. https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/Proposed-reforms-to-further-modernise-WA%27s-local-planning-system---20250707 (Accessed July 2025).

  5. Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC). Planning Reform Progress. https://www.planning.wa.gov.au/planning-reform/planning-reform-progress (Accessed July 2025).

 
 
bottom of page