PLANNING COMPLIANCE 

The Planning and Development Act, regulations and associated acts provide a comprehensive system of land use planning and development in the State and for related purposes, set standards for development in WA. Permit authorities must ensure buildings are constructed and occupied in accordance with the relevant permit and may prosecute for failure to obtain a permit when required.

The Planning Regulation Amendment Regulations 2020 were gazetted on 18 December 2020, introducing amendments to the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (the Regulations). These amendments have made various improvements to local planning processes and have been introduced in two stages. 

The first stage included a broader range of exemptions for small home projects such as patios, water tanks, and cubby houses.

A ‘deemed-to-comply’ check enables local government to ensure compliance with the Residential Design Codes, allowing such development proposals to progress straight to the building approval stage, which is still a requirement.

Other regulatory changes improve processes, reduce administration and improve consultation practices, including:

  • removing the need for planning approvals for certain change-of-use applications, such as establishing a small café or restaurant
  • a limit of only one further request for additional information from local governments for applications that do not require public consultation or referral
  • consistent public consultation requirements for complex development applications
  • prioritising online publication of planning documents, with an option for hard copies to be made available and
  • introducing a single planning process for structure plans and precinct structure plans.

Planning Compliance

Compliance issues relating to the Planning and Development Act 2005 include:

  • Unauthorised development.
  • Unauthorised use of land.
  • Non-compliance with approved plans.
  • Non-compliance with conditions on planning approval.

In most cases, where there are planning compliance matters, the Planning team will work closely with Building and Environmental Health on your matter.

Building Compliance

Compliance issues relating to the Building Act 2011 include:

  • Non-compliance with an approved building permit.
  • Non-compliance with an approved building plan.
  • Building work affecting neighbouring land.
  • Unauthorised building.
  • Unauthorised or dangerous swimming pools.
  • Dangerous structures.
  • Pool and spa safety barriers.

Refer to the Shire of Carnarvon's Building information:

Building Information

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health Officers investigate environmental health risks in areas such as:

  • Food safety.
  • Development control.
  • Disease control.
  • Pollution control.
  • Community living.

Refer to the Shire of Carnarvon's Environmental Health information: 

Environmental Health Information