Local planning scheme amendments

A scheme amendment is the process of changing part of a local planning scheme. The City’s Local planning scheme is Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3).

Scheme amendments occur for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include:

• A change in zoning to accommodate appropriate development.
• A change in the wording of LPS3 to ensure the planning scheme functions effectively.
• To implement the strategic vision of the Local Planning Strategy.
• To ensure orderly and proper planning of the local government area.

Scheme amendments may be initiated by the City, or by an external person. The process should not be seen as a means of circumventing the existing requirements and appropriate planning justification must be submitted with a scheme amendment application.

An application fee is also applicable for scheme amendments initiated by external persons, based on the complexity of the proposal.

Rezoning or changing the residential density (R-Code) of a property

To change the zoning (rezone) of a property requires you to apply for a scheme amendment. An example of a rezoning is changing a site with a zone of ‘Mixed Use’ to ‘Commercial’.

Applications to change the residential density (the number of houses that can be built on a property) is known as recoding. These also require a scheme amendment.

The City generally does not support ad-hoc rezonings or recodings that are not in alignment with the City of Joondalup’s Local Planning Strategy.

Given the complexity of the scheme amendment process, it is recommended that a planning consultant is engaged to provide advice, and prepare an application if appropriate.