Applying for Development Approval

In most cases, planning approval is required for all developments, although, if a development complies with the deemed-to-comply provisions of the Residential Design Codes of WA (R-Codes) or is of a minor nature, it may be exempt from the requirement to obtain development approval.

Developments Requiring Approval 

  • Any development where variations to the Town's Local Planning Policies or deemed-to-comply requirements of the R-Codes are sought including new dwellings or extensions to dwellings (either single, grouped or multiple dwellings)

  • Development and/or Demolition of a building included on the Heritage List under Council’s Town Planning Scheme.

  • Any development located within the street setback area (except for resurfacing an existing hard surfaced area or landscaping works provided there are no wall features or structures as part of the proposal).

  • Any non-residential development (i.e. commercial use, consulting rooms, shops) - whether it is a new development, additions or any alteration to commercial site.

  • A Change of Use (i.e. from shop to office or from a residential use to commercial use and vice versa). Please contact the Town to discuss the change of use with a Planning Officer on 9339 9339.

  • Signage except where excluded under the Town's Signage Design Guidelines Local Planning Policy.

  • Strata Properties 

    Developments Not Requiring Approval

    • Ancillary dwelling (granny flat) - Planning/development approval is usually not required if your property is in a residential zone and your granny flat/ancillary dwelling meets the following requirements:

      • The ancillary dwelling is associated with a single house and on the same lot
      • The lot is not less than 350 m2
      • There is a maximum plot ratio area of 70m2
      • Parking is provided in accordance with clause 5.3.3 C3.1 of the Residential Design Codes
      • The ancillary dwelling is designed and sited to comply with all relevant provisions of the R-Codes and the Town's Residential Design Guidelines. 

      A Building Permit is always required for ancillary accommodation.

    • A patio, pergola or a shed provided no variations to the deemed-to-comply requirements of the R-Codes & the Town's Residential Design Guidelines are sought and not located in a heritage-protected place. 
    • Shade sails provided the works are not located in a heritage-protected place. 
    • Side boundary fencing provided the height including retaining from natural ground level is no greater than 2.3m (Note: For further regulations relating to side boundary fencing please refer the Department of Commerce / Building Commission web site to download a copy of the ‘Dividing Fences – A Guide’ booklet).
    • A boundary wall or fence provided no variations to the deemed-to-comply requirements of the R-Codes & the Town's Residential Design Guidelines are sought and not located in a heritage-protected place (provided the height including retaining from natural ground level is no greater than 1.8m.and it is 60% permeable above 1.2m)
    • Site Works behind the street setback area where changes to levels are no greater than 0.5m from the natural or existing ground level.

    • Demolition of residential or commercial buildings that are not included on the Heritage List of Town Planning Scheme No. 3.

    • Replacement of a Structure if proposed design is like for like except in the case of any solid fencing or solid structure in the front setback area, or any structure on the Heritage List of Town Planning Scheme No. 3.

    • Reroofing to the same specifications and materials as the existing roof.

    • Internal building works.

    • Solar Panels provided the solar panels are parallel to the angle of the roof and works are not located in a heritage-protected place. 

    • Swimming Pools provided not located in a heritage-protected place. 

    • Standard Television Antennae and Air-conditioning Units provided these are not visible from the primary street, the structure integrates with the building and is not visually obtrusive or impacts a neighbouring property.

    • Home Offices or Home Occupations (i.e. working from home in a study/office) with no customers or deliveries to the site and no impact upon the amenity of adjoining properties.

    Submit a Development Application 

    To submit an application for development approval, email your application and all of the supporting documents to shire@wongan.wa.gov.au.

    Alternatively, you can lodge an application in person at the Shire Administration office.

    To help ensure that a detailed assessment is made in a timely manner, applicants should ensure that the application form and fees, all plans and supporting documentation are submitted at the time of submitting an application. If an application is incomplete then it is not valid and accordingly might not be processed until all the required information has been submitted.

    Information Required to Submit

    Once a development application has been received, the Shire will assess the proposal to determine: 

    • If further information is required in order to assess the application.
    • If the proposal complies with Council's town planning schemes, policies and/or any other relevant legislation.
    • If the proposal must be advertised for public comment. 
    • Should advice be sought from any other state government agency prior to determining the application. 
    • Does the application have to be presented to Council for determination or may it be approved under Delegated Authority.

    Under clause 74 of the deemed provisions of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, local governments are to generally determine development applications within 90 days of receipt. Where advertising is not required, the timeframe is reduced to 60 days. 

    Development Application Information Sheet 

    Deemed to Comply Check 

    In accordance with Clause 61A of the Deemed Provisions in Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, certain types of development are exempt from requiring development approval. 

    These exemptions include the construction of a new single house, or extensions and/or renovations to an existing single house that meet the 'deemed-to-comply' criteria of Volume 1 of the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) or any local planning policy that amends or replaces these criteria. More information on the R-Codes can be found at www.dplh.wa.gov.au/rcodes.

    Clause 61A allows those who are intending to either build a new single house or extend and/or renovate an existing single house to seek advice from their local government as to whether development approval is required for what they are proposing. This is referred to as a 'deemed-to-comply' check. The intent of this check is to provide applicants with confidence that their proposal can proceed straight to a building permit. This is a voluntary process that only applies to single houses and extensions or renovations to existing single houses. It does not apply to the other types of exemptions that are available under clause 61.

    How do I apply for a Deemed-to-Comply Check? 

    Please provide the following documents in the application of deemed-to-comply (Clause 61A) check:

    • Deemed to Comply (clause 61A) Application for Advice (please note that all property owner's signatures are required).
    • Site plan (to a scale of no less than 1:200) showing lot dimensions, all existing and proposed structures, existing and proposed ground levels, any structures proposed to be removed, existing and proposed pedestrian and vehicle access, car parking spaces including layout and dimensions, any proposed open space and landscaping;
    • Floor plan ( to a scale of 1:100 or 1:200) of building/s proposed to be erected or altered, any any buildings proposed to be retained, complete with setbacks to all lot boundaries; and
    • Elevations (to a scale of 1:100 or 1:200) of building/s proposed to be erected or altered, and any buildings proposed to be retained, complete with existing and proposed ground levels and wall and roof height dimensions taken from natural ground level.

    A $295 application fee is required upon lodgement. Please lodge your application via email to shire@wongan.wa.gov.au or alternatively, lodge in person at the Shire Administration office. 

    Advice of the outcome will be sent to you within 14 days of the application being accepted and lodged. 

    Deemed to Comply 

    If the advice states that your proposal is deemed-to-comply, you may lodge an application for a building permit.

    Is Not Deemed to Comply 

    If your proposal does not comply, you may:

    • Apply for development approval; or
    • Amend your plans to address the areas of non-compliance and submit another application for a deemed-comply-check; or
    • Amend your plans to address the areas of non-compliance and apply for a building permit. Please note that if you choose this option, an area of non-compliance that was not addressed fully may be identified through the building permit process and you may be requested to apply for development approval. 

    Request for Copies of Plans 

    An owner of a property within the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu can apply to request copies of plans. Should you require a copy of plans for your property please contact the Shire on 9671 2500 to apply. 

    Plan searches will only be undertaken if the request is made by the property owner. Only the property owner is entitled to view or request copies of the Town's Plans. A Certificate of Title must be provided to apply. 

    The Owner includes:

    • The person shown of the Town’s records as being the owner.
    • A person who is authorised in writing by the owner.

     There is a fee applicable for requesting copies of plans.