Town Planning
The Shire of Merredin has a Town Planning Scheme that provides for the control of land use and development. In 2007 Council adopted a Local Planning Strategy which formed the basis for the development of Local Planning Scheme No. 6.
Local Planning Scheme No. 6 was provided to the Western Australian Planning Commission in July 2010 for final approval.
Persons contemplating development of land or changing the use of land may need planning consent. Should you require information see the information contained within this section of the Shire’s website.
The West Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is the authority that administers the subdivision and amalgamation of land. The Shire of Merredin is not the statutory authority responsible for this. When assessing any application the WAPC will formally refer such to the Shire of Merredin for comment and assessment against the provision of Shire’s Town Planning legislation.
For information regarding Town Planning matters please contact the Executive Manager of Development Services, on 9041 1611 or email emds@merredin.wa.gov.au.
Alternatively by visiting our Shire Administration Office between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm and speaking directly to staff who may assist with your inquiry.
Appointments for pre-lodgement meetings to discuss planning applications can be made by contacting the Shire on 08 90411611 or emds@merredin.wa.gov.au.
Other relevant documents include: Local Planning Scheme no 6 Amendment 3, Local Planning Scheme No 6 Maps, Local Planning Scheme 6 Policy Documents 1-7
Policies
Like all Local Governments the Shire has a substantial list of policies and other information, it is recommended that you view information contained within the Public Document section of the Shire’s website or if the information you are seeking comes from another Government body click on one of the links below.
Links
Sub Links
Relevant Legislation
Below is a list of Relevant Legislation that may be applicable and or the subsequent associated regulation: Please note this is a guide/list only and does not contain all the titles of all possible legislative documents.
- Strata Titles Act
- Residential Design Codes of Western Australia
- Bushfires Regulations
- Bushfires Act
- Australian Standards
- Planning and Development Act
- Town Planning Regulations
- The Shire’s Town Planning Scheme and Policies
- Environmental Protection Act
- Heritage of Western Australia Act
- Contaminated Sites Act
- Mining Act
Application Forms for Development Approval
Application Forms for approval to commence development:
These documents are required so that Council may assess your plans and information, inspect your property and determine whether your proposal is appropriate. Council seeks to ensure that a proposal:
- Complies with the relevant provisions of the Town Planning Scheme
- Is an appropriate use on the property according to its zoning
- Has no detrimental impact upon the locality
- Has no adverse impact upon occupants of adjacent properties in the locality
Planning Applications
Planning Checklist
The following should be used as a checklist guide for applicants lodging a Planning Application in Merredin.
Please ensure that your application addresses each point on the checklist and is submitted with your application.
Section 40
Guide for Applicants Applying for a Local Planning Authority
Section 40 Certificate under the Liquor Licensing Act 1988
Ancillary Dwellings
The following information sheets are self-explanatory and will assist you in determining if your proposal complies with the requirements of the Town Planning Scheme.
Change of Use
Change of use relates to any change made to an existing use of land and usually refers to business activities of a retail, commercial or industrial nature.
You may be affected if you are setting up a new business in Merredin or moving from old premises within the area.
Home Occupation / Business
A Home Occupation means an occupation carried out in a dwelling or on land around a dwelling by an occupier of the dwelling
A Home Business means a business, service or profession carried out in a dwelling or on land around a dwelling by an occupier of the dwelling
Residential Subdivisions
This document provides a summary of subdivision requirements for residential development within Shire. It provides general advice to assist the public in understanding the requirements and processes applicable to residential subdivisions.
Retrospective Planning Approval
There are developments within the district, which have not obtained development approval prior to being substantially commenced and yet would otherwise comply with the Shire’s Town Planning Scheme No 6.
In recognition of this, Town Planning Scheme No.6 gives Council the power to retrospectively approve development applications.
Residential Design Codes - State Planning Policy 3.1
The Residential Design Codes can be obtained from the Department of Planning website.
Approval Process for Construction of a Single Dwelling
This information sheet has been produced for those looking to undertake the construction of a single dwelling in the Shire.
Obtaining Building Permit only from the Shire:
- If your dwelling is fully compliant with the requirements of the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes)
- Fully compliant with the requirements of any Detailed Area Plan (DAP)
- Design Guidelines applicable to your land, including where no heritage provisions apply
- Your land is not within a Gazetted Bushfire prone area as per the requirements of DEFS Western Australia
The obtaining of Planning Approval as well as a Building Permit is necessary where:
- Your dwelling does not comply with the requirements of one or more of the applicable planning controls, contained within the R-Codes
- Does not comply with a DAP and/or any relevant Policy
- Your dwelling is proposed on a lot that is less than 260m2 in size
- Your land is in a Gazetted Bushfire prone area as per the requirements of DEFS Western Australia
If Planning Approval is required prior to a Building Permit, the process will take longer, i.e. the length of the Planning Approval processing time followed by the Building Permit process. There are statutory time frames that apply for processing of applications. The Shire of Merredin will endeavour to process your application within the allowable time. It should be noted that a complete application enables processing of your application to proceed and failure to provide information will cause delays.
Ideally, your designer or architect is suitably familiar with the controls applicable to single residential development within the Shire, and can advise you early in the design process as to whether the Planning Approval is required in addition to a Building Permit. For the purpose of an expeditious approval, you may elect to have plans prepared for lodgement that are fully compliant with all applicable planning controls.
In the event you have any questions regarding the submission of an application for Development Approval or the submission of a Building Permit, please contact the Executive Manager Development Services on 90411 611.
Planning Services Fees and Charges Schedule
Unfortunately fees and charges are a part of the statutory requirement of making and application. It should be noted that in most cases the fees and charges will vary from time to time. To enable the best possible way to ensure the fee and charges are accurate firstly check on the fee schedule on the year of posting secondly if you are unsure contact the Executive Manager Development Services.
Subdivision Application Forms
Subdivision application forms are available to download from the Department of Planning's website as listed below.
Subdivision Clearance Checklist
The Western Australian Planning Commission determine applications for the subdivision/amalgamation of land within the State of Western Australia after receiving comments from the relevant Council and other Government Departments.