Final approval of Nedlands planning scheme complete

  • New local planning scheme to replace Nedlands’ 34-year-old town planning scheme
  • 75 per cent of City of Nedlands local government area remains unchanged
  • Updated scheme promotes housing choice, ageing in place and infill aspirations
  • Higher densities enabled around transport corridors and activity centres 
  • Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has provided final approval to the new City of Nedlands Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS 3). 

    With this approval, the City of Nedlands has the ability to guide development outcomes in Nedlands by preparing appropriate local planning instruments that align to LPS 3, in consultation with the community.

    As Perth’s population grows, the State Government’s strategy requires more housing choice closer to the central business district and existing community and infrastructure such as parks, public transport and medical facilities.

    The new scheme enables more housing choice, ageing in place opportunities and higher residential density around transport corridors. LPS 3 replaces the City of Nedlands’ previous town planning scheme which had been in place since 1985.

    LPS 3 will retain existing low residential densities within the majority of the City of Nedlands’ suburbs, and focuses intensification of residential densities along the Stirling Highway urban corridor, the UWA-QEII specialised activity centre and Dalkeith neighbourhood activity centre.

    Infill targets will be addressed with well-designed higher densities permitted in proximity to transport/urban corridor, and specialised and neighbourhood activity centres including:

    • Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre – the southern hemisphere’s largest medical centre;
    • The University of Western Australia – the State’s oldest tertiary education centre;
    • The Dalkeith neighbourhood centre on Waratah Avenue; and
    • Stirling Highway and adjacent streets located in the City of Nedlands.  

    The new local planning scheme is intended to provide greater housing choice for existing City of Nedlands residents wanting to downsize, and to enable more homes for prospective residents wanting to be closer to work or university.

    It also addresses community feedback to retain the character of heritage streets, leaving about 75 per cent of the City of Nedlands area completely unchanged.

    As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:

    “The new City of Nedlands local planning scheme strikes the right balance, and the final approved LPS removed more than 600 lots compared with the WA Planning Commission’s advertised proposal.

    “It represents a balanced outcome which was responsive to public submissions which supported and raised concerns with the increased density allowed for in some areas.

    “The scheme ensures the City remains a vibrant liveable community and reflects the importance of the specialised activity centre of The University of WA and Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre precinct to Western Australians.

    “The aim of increasing density and updating old local planning schemes is to strike the right balance between local character and planning for an increasing population.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.