Frequently asked questions

A precinct structure plan describes the intended zoning and subdivision pattern for a land area. Depending on the scale, a precinct structure plan identifies a pattern for street blocks, roads and open space together with proposed zones or land uses and major transport or utility infrastructure. A precinct structure plan provides development guidance for the built form and public realm.

DevelopmentWA is the primary development agency of the Western Australian State Government, assisting with the identification, design and implementation of major land and infrastructure projects.

The WAPC is an independent statutory authority of the State Government of Western Australia. The WAPC works with both State and Local Government and has responsibility for integrated urban and regional land use planning and development.

DevelopmentWA’s draft Bentley Technology Park Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) covers both portions of the City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park within a single document. A single precinct structure plan enables a consolidated approach, ensuring development outcomes across both local governments are compatible and reflect the broader vision for Bentley Technology Park. The document is in separate sections to distinguish between the two local government areas. 

The Town of Victoria Park will also advertise DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP concurrently. The City of South Perth will collaborate with the Town of Victoria Park to ensure consistency and compatibility in the consultation process and reporting.

DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP sets out that 2.5 hectares of Public Open Space will be provided for through its implementation. For each proposed Public Open Space area, an indicative design is included, which outlines the intended future layout and any other design elements.

It is anticipated that there will be an increase in overall traffic volumes as a result of development following the adoption of the final PSP. The preparation of the draft PSP has been informed by traffic modelling which justifies the appropriateness of the existing and proposed road networks to manage any anticipated increases in traffic.

As part of the City’s assessment of DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP, traffic implications will be assessed.

DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP outlines proposed ‘Preferred Land Uses’ for each portion of the draft PSP. Residential, for the purposes of permanent occupation, is not listed as a ‘Preferred Land Use’ for any of the sub-precincts (areas within each portion). Any land use which isn’t listed as preferred is deemed to be a ‘non-preferred’ land use, and justification for this would need to be provided against the objectives outlined in the draft PSP.

There is no set timeframe for the development of the Bentley Technology Park site, and establishment of any new public open space or road networks will be triggered by development, where relevant. Development is expected to be gradual, driven by landowner intent and market conditions.

DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP contains outcomes which set out that proposed development should be located and designed to prioritise the retention of existing trees which are healthy, mature, and have significant ecological value (see section 3.7.6 of the PSP). Furthermore, the City has Local Planning Policy (LPP) 3.2 – Tree Retention (External link) which states that there is a general presumption against tree damaging activity to any regulated tree (the definition for a regulated tree is contained in LPP 3.2).

If any development proposes the removal of trees, there will need to be justification against the objectives set out in section 3.7.6 of the draft PSP, and if applicable, the provisions of LPP 3.2.

An Environmental Assessment Report has been prepared and submitted alongside DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP (see Appendix B). This report outlines the following:

'Given the existing land use and lack of connectivity to large tracts of intact native habitat, it is considered unlikely that the site would provide significant habitat for most of the fauna species identified in the database searches. However, some of the scattered trees (native and introduced) may provide potential habitat for the following species.

• Carnaby’s black cockatoo
• Baudin’s black cockatoo
• Forest red–tailed black cockatoo.'

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) protects Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). If an action is likely to have a significant impact on any MNES a referral to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is required, followed by possible subsequent assessment if a Controlled Action is determined.

The EPBC Act referral thresholds for black cockatoos states that a loss of greater than or equal to 1 ha of high-quality foraging habitat is likely to require referral to DCCEEW. The Environmental Assessment Report recorded 1.48 ha of high-quality foraging habitat within the Bentley Technology Park PSP area. Therefore, clearing equal to or greater than 1 ha of this potential foraging habitat is likely to require an EPBC Act referral.

DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP envisions development which will contribute to a vibrant, welcoming and active destination, with a mix of uses that include development designed for technology and research supported by complementary activities. Should the draft PSP be adopted, the expected development outcomes are unlikely to have significant impacts on nearby residential areas due to the existing separation provided by natural road buffers and infrastructure along the borders of the Bentley Technology Park, such as along Hayman Road.

Although the WAPC is the ultimate decision maker for the adoption of DevelopmentWA’s PSP, the City conducts the consultation process as stated in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (Regulations) (External link). As part of this, the City will prepare a report which will include the feedback received from the consultation period and a recommendation to the WAPC for consideration.

The Bentley-Curtin Specialised Activity Centre (External link) is a high-level strategic document, the purpose of which is to inform local planning scheme amendments and future detailed planning. The Activity Centre is characterised as a specialised centre for ‘education, research and technology’, requiring a PSP to be prepared for further guidance on specific elements of the Activity Centre, such as built form and subdivision. DevelopmentWA’s draft PSP will sit underneath the WAPC’s high-level Activity Centre document.

Activity centres are mixed use urban areas where there is a concentration of commercial, residential and other land uses. They are multi-functional community focal points where people live, work, shop, meet and relax. Activity centres vary in size and function and are generally well-serviced by transport networks with a focus on public transport and active transport. Activity centres may include land uses such as commercial, retail, food and hospitality, medium and high-density housing, entertainment, tourism, civic/community, higher education, and medical services.

The local government has a key role in preparing, creating, assessing, and providing recommendations on precinct structure plans. Local government advises and makes recommendations to the WAPC and Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage on proposed precinct structure plans based on its local knowledge, technical expertise, and local planning framework; and oversees the implementation of the plans in its jurisdiction. There are specified timeframes set out in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (Regulations) (External link) for the local government to adhere to with respect to accepting, advertising and making recommendations on a precinct structure plan.

An application for a precinct structure plan must be submitted to the local government. Upon receipt of an application, the local government must consider the material provided and confirm that the precinct structure plan complies with the WAPC's WA Planning Manual - Guidance for Structure Plans (External link), and with the information requirements contained in the Regulations. 

A local government must advertise a precinct structure plan within 28 days of accepting an application, or of preparing a precinct structure plan. Acceptance of a precinct structure plan for advertising does not indicate that the local government supports it or that the WAPC will approve it. The local government must advertise a proposed precinct structure plan (including a precinct structure plan prepared by the local government) for 42 days or for a longer period approved by the WAPC. 

Following the close of the advertising period, the local government has 60 days to prepare a report (recommendation) on the precinct structure plan and submit it to the WAPC. Following receipt of the local government’s report, including the necessary information, the WAPC has 120 days to approve or refuse the precinct structure plan. This period can be suspended (so that the application is put on hold) if the WAPC requests that the applicant or the local government submit additional information, or if a scheme amendment is being progressed concurrently with the precinct structure plan.

A precinct structure plan is a guiding document that is given ‘due regard’ in decision-making. This means that decision-makers are not legally bound by precinct structure plans but are to have regard to the provisions when considering proposals for subdivision or development within the precinct structure plan area. They also have to consider the plan's purpose and vision, objectives, design rationale and implementation requirements, together with any associated scheme provisions, local planning policy, or guidelines that apply to the precinct structure plan area. Decision-makers should not set aside a precinct structure plan or key precinct structure plan provisions unless warranted by a particular situation and appropriately justified in the decision.

A structure plan describes the intended zoning and subdivision pattern for a land area. Depending on the scale, a structure plan identifies a pattern for street blocks, roads and open space together with proposed zones or land uses and major transport or utility infrastructure. 

A precinct structure plan is a more comprehensive document that addresses all the matters in a (standard) structure plan, and in addition, provides development guidance for the built form and public realm.