The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is set to meet behind closed doors on Wednesday to consider a draft station precincts improvement plan that would allow the State Government to bypass local planning laws and mandate higher density around three western suburbs train stations. The plan covers nine metropolitan train station precincts, including Cottesloe, Mosman Park, and Swanbourne.
State Government Pushes for Higher Density Around Transport Hubs
Planning Minister John Carey announced the station precinct initiative last year as part of the Cook Government's strategy to boost housing supply and encourage higher-density development near public transport hubs. Under the proposal, the WAPC would gain the power to set zoning, density, and development standards, as well as determine future development applications within the precincts.
Wednesday's meeting will not decide on those specific controls. Instead, the commission will assess whether to recommend the draft scheme to Minister Carey for approval—a crucial first step before a formal scheme can be prepared.
Local Councils Voice Strong Opposition
Western suburbs councils have raised significant concerns, arguing the plan could override their own planning strategies and undermine years of community consultation. Ahead of the meeting, the local governments of Cottesloe, Mosman Park, and Peppermint Grove submitted deputations advocating for the improvement scheme to incorporate existing local planning frameworks.
Cottesloe's written submission highlighted that the town has already invested "considerable funding and resources" to develop and adopt its precinct structure plan. "The Cottesloe Village precinct structure plan and the town's nearly completed draft local planning strategy clearly demonstrates how the town was to easily meet the State Government's infill targets at the town's train stations," the statement read.
Minister Criticises Local Planning as Insufficient
When announcing the scheme last year, Minister Carey criticised Cottesloe's local planning framework, claiming it did not cover a broad enough area. "While some local governments have taken steps to update planning frameworks around train stations, progress has been slow, and in many cases, density settings are far too low," he said. "The Cottesloe council has not been ambitious enough in relation to the density that could occur at the train station."
If the WAPC endorses the blueprint, the recommendation will be referred to Minister Carey, who will make a final decision on whether to approve the improvement plan. The outcome could set a precedent for state intervention in local planning across Western Australia.
