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Amendments to Local Planning Policy 1.4 Public Art in Developments

Amendments to Local Planning Policy 1.4 Public Art in Developments

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Share your feedback on the amendments before 4.00pm Wednesday, 19 February 2025.

Last Updated: 29 January 2025 Follow Engagement

Public art brings vibrancy, charm, and personality to our neighbourhoods, making them even more inviting and visually appealing. Our Local Planning Policy 1.4 – Public Art in Development encourages this by requiring public art for developments like multiple dwellings, mixed-use projects or non-residential buildings (including alterations or extensions) when the total development cost is over $2 million. 

Local Planning Policy 1.4 – Public Art in Development (LPP1.4) currently outlines the requirements and design standards for integrating public art in developments across the City. As part of the review process, we identified the need to update LPP1.4 to ensure the public art requirements are aligned with current industry standards, reflect the evolving needs of new developments, and continue to promote high-quality, impactful art in our neighbourhoods. 

The proposed amendments aim to provide clarity, ensuring the art is meaningful, high-quality and cost-effective, while also aligning with industry best practices and the City’s Public Art Strategy. This update is in line with the legislative requirement to review the policy every four years, ensuring the process remains efficient while preserving the integrity and significance of public art in our urban spaces. 

Major changes include: 

  1. Inclusion of purpose and citation. A clause has been added confirming the policy is made under relevant regulations and the City of Melville Local Planning Scheme No. 6 (LPS No. 6). 
  2. Updated policy objectives to align with the Council Plan for the future 2024-2034. 
  3. Expanded definitions for construction cost, public art, artist, and art consultant have been updated to align with industry standards, allowing greater inclusion of emerging, Aboriginal, and CALD artists. 
  4. New definitions for construction cost, ephemeral and temporary art, public art plan, and City of Melville Capital Arts Trust provide clarity and consistency in policy application. 
  5. A table outlines tiered contribution levels and clarifies when cash-in-lieu discounts apply. It introduces a cap for on-site provisions for developments over $50 million, with additional contributions going into the Capital Arts Trust. 
  6. Expanded information requirements for development applications and prior to construction, aimed at improving the quality of public art provision on-site. 
  7. Reference to Public Art Strategy and Cultural Plan to guide the expenditure of Trust funds, including the option to fund temporary and ephemeral art on City land, based on extensive community input and expert advice. 

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council in December 2024, Council resolved to endorse the proposed amendments to the LPP1.4. In accordance with regulations, 21 days public advertising is required, and a further report be presented to Council to consider the outcomes of advertising. 


Local Planning Policy 1.4 – Public Art in Development

Artwork by James Tapscott

Purpose of the policy

  • To contribute to a sense of place through the provision of public art, which provides an interpretation and expression of the local area’s natural, physical, cultural, and social values.  

  • To provide increased public exposure to, and understanding of, public art.  

  • To create local landmarks.  

  • To add to the appearance, vibrancy, character and amenity of developments and their surrounding environment.  

  • To enhance public enjoyment and understanding of places through the integration of art into developments.  

Opportunities to get involved

Any comments you wish to make on the proposal are to be submitted by 4.00pm Wednesday, 19 February 2025, by one of the following:
  • Online, using the submission form below
  • City of Melville, Locked Bag 1, Booragoon WA quoting reference LPP1.4
  • In person, 10 Almondbury Road, Booragoon.

For more information about the proposal and what happens with your feedback, see the FAQs below.
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FAQs

What is a local planning policy?
The Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 enable local governments to prepare Local Planning Policies (LPPs) that may address strategic or operational considerations on planning matters. 
What is the aim of this policy?

The objectives of this policy are:  

  • To contribute to a sense of place through the provision of public art which provides an interpretation and expression of the local area’s natural, physical, cultural and social values.  
  • To enhance public enjoyment and understanding of places through the integration of art into developments.  
  • To add to the appearance, vibrancy, character and amenity of developments and their surrounding environment.  
  • To create local landmarks.  
  • To provide increased public exposure to, and understanding of, public art. 

Under our current Local Planning Policy 1.4, public art is a requirement for all multiple dwelling/houses, mixed use or non-residential developments (or alterations, additions or extensions to these developments) where the total development cost exceeds $2 million. 

Applicants are required to provide artwork to the value of 1% of the development, or alternately pay cash in lieu of providing the artwork. 

What prompted the review?

The City regularly reviews and updates its local planning policies to ensure planning decisions align with best practices. The review of LPP 1.4 provided an opportunity to: 

  • Include a purpose statement, citation, and updated policy objectives for greater clarity and ease of use. 

  • Ensure consistency in public art provision through clear definitions, processes, and alignment with the City’s Public Art Strategy. 

  • Update definitions to align with industry standards and expand the scope to include temporary and ephemeral art funded through the Capital Arts Trust. 

  • Review financial commitments and cash-in-lieu incentives to reflect rising construction costs and maximise the impact of larger contributions. 

  • Ensure public art is meaningful, high-quality, and offers value for money for developers. 

  • Clarify lodgement requirements and the stages at which information is needed for public art on development sites. 

  • Discourage public art within the verge adjacent to development sites. 

  • Maintain alignment with industry best practices in both planning and the arts sectors. 

What is considered ‘public art’ for the purposes of this policy?

Our definition of public art is any work that is created by an artist and is sited in a visually accessible public location. It can include (but is not limited to): 

  • The artistic treatment of functional equipment such as bike racks, benches, fountains, playground equipment, light posts or shade structures which are unique and produced by a professional artist. 

  • Landscape art enhancements such as walkways, bridges or art features which are unique and produced by a professional artist. 

  • Murals, tiles and mosaics covering walls, floors and walkways. 

  • Sculptures, free-standing, wall supported or incorporated as an integral element of a buildings’ design. 

Our definition of public art does not include: 

  • Business logos. Artworks that include a business logo. 

  • Advertising signage. Commercial promotions in any form. 

  • Directional elements such as super graphics, signage or colour coding. 

  • Art objects which are mass produced or off-the-shelf reproductions. 

  • Landscaping or hardscaping which would normally be associated with the development. 

  • Services or utilities necessary to operate or maintain art works.

How can I find out more about Public Arts in Development?
You can find out more information by clicking the button below.

Public Arts in Development
Who are we engaging with?
We are engaging with our community and peak body industries. 
How to make a good submission?

Community consultation allows the City to collect information from impacted stakeholders and valid considerations that will help inform good decision-making.  

When preparing a submission there are two principles you should consider - facts and impacts. 
 
Below is a checklist to help you make a good submission. 

  1. Give yourself enough time: Act promptly upon receiving notification. Early preparation is key. 
  2. Be informed: Ensure you have all the necessary information. Review the draft, check the FAQs on this page, or consult with a Planning Officer if you need additional details to address all your points. 
  3. Stick to the facts: Understand what is happening and why. Clearly state whether you believe the proposal is the best approach and provide factual reasons to support your view. 
  4. Explain the impact: If you believe a proposal will unduly impact you or your property, explain this clearly and support your explanation with as many facts as possible. 
  5. Submit one comprehensive submission: Avoid submitting multiple submissions, as this can delay the compilation process.  
  6. Submit on time: Ensure your submission is on time, as late submissions may not be able to be considered.
Why do I need to provide my personal details?

Public comment period is a structured process that allows individuals to submit their opinions and feedback on proposals to the City of Melville. This process requires submitters to provide personal details to verify their identity and connection to the City. 
 
Key points about the public comment period: 

  1. Invitation to participate: The community and stakeholders are invited to provide their input on various proposals. 
  2. Submission consideration: All received submissions are reviewed and considered as part of the assessment process. However, these submissions do not obligate the City or Council to follow the suggestions or opinions provided. 
  3. Anonymity and public reporting: When the City compiles and reports on the submissions, personal details such as names, addresses, and other identifiable information are removed unless the submitter has expressly agreed to share this information. 

This process ensures that the community's voice is heard while maintaining the privacy and authenticity of each submission. 

What happens with my submission?
We will consider all submissions in reporting to Council for consideration. 
Who is the decision maker?
The decision-maker for this proposal is the City of Melville Council. 
 
If no submissions are received during the advertising period, the Council has delegated the authority to the CEO to proceed with the policy without modification and for a notice to be published in the local newspaper and website as required by the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. Following any final adoption, the City will report to the Council on a six-monthly basis for 24 months on the operation of this amendment to the policy.
How can I be kept informed of the outcomes of the proposal?
Click on the ‘Follow Engagement’ at the top of this page to be kept informed of the updates and outcomes for this project. 

Contact us

If you require any further information, please contact the below.

NameKate Bainbridge, 

Manager Statutory Planning and Building

Phone08 9364 0666
Email

spo.spo@melville.wa.gov.au

Timeline

  • 10 December 2024
  • Ordinary Meeting of Council
  • 29 January -19 February 2025
  • Public comment period
    Community are invited to view the revised Local Law and provide comment

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