Planning
Planning approval is required for most types of development and land use in the City of Fremantle. Development includes:
- the erection, construction or demolition of any building or structure
- building alterations or additions
- excavation work.
Planning approval is required for, but not limited to:
- single houses
- grouped dwellings
- multiple dwellings
- additions and alterations
- industrial and commercial developments
- outbuildings except those permitted by the scheme
- changes made to the use of land and/or buildings except those permitted by the scheme
- signage and other advertisements except those permitted by the scheme
- fencing except that permitted by the scheme
- development of sites listed on the City's heritage list, including demolition, renovations maintenance and building
- refurbishments
- altering ground levels beyond that permitted by the scheme
- existing structures without council approval
- home occupations
- filling or clearing of land
- signs
- painting of front facades
- demolition of buildings
- some satellite dishes, air-conditioning units, antennas
- trading in public places
- outdoor dining
- non low-impact telecommunication facilities
- solar panels.
It is recommended applicants make an appointment with a planning officer prior to lodging an application. Applicants can discuss proposals and preliminary plans with planning officers to get an ideal of the planning process. Planning officers can advise applicants on the proposed development and information required to lodge a complete application, which can aid in reducing the process time.
You can arrange an appointment to discuss your planning requirements and application by contacting us on 08 9432 9999 or email planning@fremantle.wa.gov.au , or visit us at the service and information centre, Town Hall Centre, 8 William Street, Fremantle.
How are planning applications assessed?
Council assesses a proposed development application and/or land use planning application against certain criteria to approve or refuse an application. Applications are either determined by delegated authority or by council. The criteria used for assessment includes:
Where a development has the potential to affect surrounding properties, the City will undergo a consultation process. Comments received through that process are taken into account when making a decision on the development.
Development assessment panels
Development assessment panels came into effect on 1 July 2011 as per Planning and Development (Development assessment panel) Regulations 2011.
The City of Fremantle has received a current application that is to be determined by the South West Metropolitan JDAP. Please click here for more information on the DAP application.
What is required to make a planning application?
A planning application is made by submitting the following documents to the City of Fremantle:
Information required for planning approval provides further details of the information required for making a planning application including the required fee.
What other agencies or organisations require approval?
Development applications may also require approval from other government agencies, such as but not limited to:
- Western Australian Planning Commission
- Heritage Council of Western Australia
- Swan River Trust
- Department of Planning
Where possible the City will help applicants identify any relevant agencies. However, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ascertain which approvals are required before lodging an application. Applicants will need to contact the relevant agencies to find out what their obligations are.
Is planning approval the same as a building permit?
No. Planning approval is a different process to a building permit. In most cases an approved development application would also need a building permit before the development can commence. The building permit relates only to the detailed construction and engineering of buildings and other structures. A development which receives planning approval should match the application for a building permit. For more information on building permits please click here.
What happens once a development application is lodged?
Once an application is lodged, the City's planning services team will advise the applicant within 10 days, by mail, of the officer dealing with the application. This officer is the contact for that application and will contact the applicant if further information is required.
The application may be referred to other government agencies and/or other relevant third parties for comments and advice. Conditions resulting from the referral process may be included in a planning approval.
In some cases, it will also be necessary to advertise an application in accordance with the requirements of the local planning scheme prior to a determination. Advertising can take the form of written notice being served on surrounding owners and occupiers of land, newspaper advertising and/or a sign being placed on site. A submission period of not less than 14 days is required, during which time written submissions on the proposal will be accepted by the City. Any written submissions received will be considered as part of the assessment process along with the application.
How long does the planning process take?
The exact time taken to determine applications will depend on the type of application, whether it requires advertising and what level of delegation is required to determine it. Some applications cannot or may not be determined by the City's staff and will be referred to the Planning Services Committee (PSC) for determination. Appeal rights exist 60 days after lodgement if no advertising is required or 90 days if an application requires advertising. Council may approve (with or without conditions), or refuse an application.
The following types of applications will be referred to PSC:
- Applications where objections have been received on relevant planning grounds and cannot be addressed by conditions of approval giving consideration to the objections raised
- Applications involving the demolition of a building on the Municipal Heritage Inventory (MHI)
- Determining an application for variation of planning approval where the original decision has been determined by the council or PSC unless exempted by the chief executive officer (CEO)
- Determining an application for planning approval in relation to a non-conforming use
- Other applications as determined by the CEO.