Review of Local Planning Scheme 6

Local planning schemes set out the zoning of land, permissible land uses, the scale of development and other important information relating to building and development standards across the City of Melville  (the City). It forms the basis for all planning decisions made by the City.

The Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 require all local governments to review their Local Planning Schemes every five years.

The City’s LPS6 was adopted in 2016 and is now due for review. The aim of the review is to ensure the local planning framework continues to reflect community needs and adequately aligns with the state planning framework (metropolitan planning strategies and policies).

The LPS6 Scheme review has limited impact on the areas currently subject to a Structure Plan (e.g. Canning Bridge), which have their own development standards and are reviewed independently of the Scheme.

Almost every property/lot/block of land in the City has a density code (also known as an R-Code) in LPS6. The R-Code determines the density, form and scale of development that can occur on a property.

By using the mapping tool above you can find out if your property’s R-Code are being proposed to change. You can also use this tool to look at any other areas in the City that may be of interest to you. 

For more information, please follow the link to the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) Fact Sheet.

It is expected that the LPS6 review will take several years to finalise. The extent of the proposed changes generally determines the total timeframe for a scheme review. The more extensive/complex the changes, the longer the review will likely take.

The Planning Minister is the final decision maker. The City of Melville Council will provide a recommendation to the WAPC for consideration. WAPC will review and provide its recommendation to the Planning Minister.

The Deemed Provisions within the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 apply to all local planning schemes. All local planning schemes are to be in accordance with the Model Provisions within the Regulations. The Model Provisions, including any local variations to those provisions approved by the Minister, will be incorporated in Local Planning Schemes over time as the opportunity arises, via the scheme amendment process.

The review approach was determined through a process called the Report of Review (RAR). This ‘health check’ was conducted in 2021, and included community consultation, to determine whether LPS6 and the Local Planning Strategy required updating or replacing, or remained acceptable in their current form.

The Report of Review endorsed by Council, and supported by the WAPC concluded that:

1. LPS6 would benefit from a formal review process. The review would enable us to respond to changing circumstances since Gazettal, including changes the community, in state planning and local planning frameworks, and other stakeholder needs, priorities and expectations.
2. The high-level approach of the Local Planning Strategy, to focus required growth in strategic centres and corridors, remains sound. Accordingly, the LPS 6 review may commence prior review of the Local Planning Strategy.
3. Existing structure plans are operating satisfactorily and include opportunity for review and enhancement as required. In these circumstances, the linking of a requirement to review structure plans to the LPS6 review is not required.

Based on the Report of Review conclusions, we considered a variety of concepts to be investigated as part of the LPS6 review process. Grouping these ideas together, six topics were defined and captured initiatives that may be pursued. 

In addition to reviewing residential densities, we’re also proposing to update the City’s Local Planning Policy 1.9- Height of Buildings. This policy defines the building height limits throughout the residential areas in Melville (excluding areas covered by activity centre plans). The City plans to more closely align to the State Government’s Residential Design Codes, which has comparably lower building height limits. This will mean that suggested increases to residential densities can be paired with more acceptable height increases.

For more information, please follow the link to the Building Heights Fact Sheet.

To address population growth in Western Australia, in 2018 the State Government established new housing targets for each local government as part of the Western Australian Planning Commission’s (WAPC) Perth and [email protected] Million framework.

City of Melville’s target is to increase housing density by 18,000 new dwellings by 2050. This target reflects the WAPC's goal for 47% of all new houses to be developed in existing established areas, rather than on the urban fringe, to enhance sustainability and other benefits.

Given that the City of Melville has no undeveloped land available, relying on simple side-by-side or battleaxe subdivisions to meet this target is impractical. Considering our community's increasing focus on sustainability and green space, we need to use our available land more efficiently.

This planning scheme review aims to ensure that our suburban areas remain largely intact. The intent is to accommodate growth through moderate, targeted density increases around our activity centres and along transport corridors.

Why focus on activity centres and transport corridors?

Activity Centres: Key activity centres like Canning Bridge, Booragoon, and Riseley Centre will play a major role in the City’s housing infill. These high-amenity areas offer sustainable transport choices, established economic and social vibrancy, and can be developed with a lower environmental footprint. Most large activity centres in the City are managed through activity centre structure plans, which operate independently of the planning scheme and are not affected by this review. However, the residential areas surrounding these centres provide opportunities for further densification as part of the review.

Transport Corridors: The City’s transport corridors, which host and connect activity centres, generally align with high-quality public transport and cycleways. For example, Canning Highway and Marmion Street alone have thirteen activity centres, making these areas a focal point in the density review.

In March 2025, Council requested a report be prepared on the resource implications, timing and feasibility associated with preparing Precinct Structure Plans for land in and around the Murdoch and Bull Creek train stations. 

At the November 2025 Council meeting, Council acknowledged that delivery of high-density housing in the areas surrounding the stations is a long-term strategic opportunity and is not realistic in the short term.

A City-led approach in the short term would require significant financial outlay, and investment of resources that is not likely to lead to meaningful private sector investment for the foreseeable future.

Current planning rules will be maintained for now, but the City will proactively reach out to the WA Planning Commission and Minister for Planning to promote the City’s interest in the planned growth around the Murdoch and Bull Creek train stations.

Under current planning regulations, community consultation usually occurs at the end of the scheme review process, once a draft Scheme has been prepared. We are choosing to engage much earlier because we want the community to help shape the LPS6 Review from the outset. Early input allows us to understand your ideas and concerns and, where appropriate, incorporate them before the draft Scheme is finalised.

There are seven distinct phases in the engagement process. The community will be invited to participate at key stages. We will, however, continue to provide updates and communicate the outcomes of each phase. 

1. Informed the community that the review was being undertaken, and sought community input to develop key themes to be explored in future phases of the review. This phase is complete. 
2. Six focus areas were developed and the community was invited to provide feedback, and identify additional areas for potential investigation. This phase is complete. 
3. Community was invited to view the proposed density and zoning changes, and provide feedback through a survey submission. In person appointments to discuss the proposed changes were also offered. This phase is complete. 
4. Stakeholder engagement with key State Government departments, transport agencies and utility providers is being carried out across both stages to investigate infrastructure and environmental considerations associated with increased density. This includes incorporating feedback, addressing concerns and sourcing technical input. 
5. A key element of this phase involves collaboration with Elected Members through a series of interactive workshops. Members will review key proposed changes to LPS6, informed by community feedback, technical studies, and officer analysis. These sessions will help shape the draft scheme amendments to be formally advertised in the next stage. This phase is not yet complete.   
6. Re-engage with residents and property owners on updates to the proposed density areas. This further engagement will take place after the Elected Member workshop series and will inform the final draft Scheme. Community feedback will be carefully considered and, where appropriate, incorporated before the draft is submitted to Council for endorsement. This phase has not yet commenced and is still being planned with Elected Members.
7. A formal submission process will take place on the final draft. Community will be invited to share their level of support prior to seeking a council resolution. Final phase. This phase has not yet commenced.

Click on the 'Follow Engagement' button at the top of this page to receive notifications direct to your email.

All feedback is collated and analysed across each engagement phase. Findings are used to refine the draft Scheme and develop recommendations, which are then provided to Council for consideration.

To build awareness of the Scheme Review and promote opportunities to get involved, the City used a mix of traditional and digital communication channels, including:

• A dedicated project webpage featuring regular engagement updates and ongoing direct notifications to followers
• Direct letters to affected ratepayers
• Direct emails to Melville Sounding Board members and a random community sample
• eNews publications
• Social media (paid and organic)
• Advertising in the Melville City Herald and PerthNow
• Flyers
• A YouTube explainer video
• City of Melville email signatures
• City of Melville website banner

To understand how the potential changes may affect your property and future redevelopment in your area, please review all information on this page, including the fact sheets listed under ‘Related Information’.
 
If you would like to speak with someone before the next stage of engagement, please contact the Strategic Planning Team on 08 9364 0666 or email [email protected]

Community feedback for Phase 4 was open until 4:00pm on Wednesday, 18 September 2024. During this period, community members were able to share their feedback in several ways:

1. Interactive mapping tool
Residents could search their property to see if any potential density or zoning changes applied. Where changes were proposed, a link to the relevant fact sheet was provided in the map sidebar.

2. Online feedback form
The online form allowed people to provide targeted comments on specific proposals, as well as general feedback about the review.

3. Hard-copy forms
Paper forms were available at the City of Melville Civic Centre, Libraries, Community Centres and LeisureFit Booragoon.

4. Phone submissions
Feedback could also be provided over the phone by contacting the City.

5. In-person interviews and submissions
In-person discussions and assisted submissions were available for those who preferred face-to-face engagement.

Further reporting on the engagement results will provide additional breakdown on the content and sentiment of submissions. This will occur as part of the future reporting to Council on the various proposed changes to the scheme.   

Reporting on the feedback received is not as simple as presenting a tally of comments for and against.  Many submissions raise multiple ideas/issues, with separate comment on each. Also, submissions expressing opposition to a proposal may be either opposing, for example, an increase in residential density or opposing the change as they have a preference for a higher increase. Nonetheless, the City is committed to providing a Detailed Engagement Report prior to the next community engagement phase and  any decision by Council.