The City of Bayswater is making it easier for residents to build and renovate their homes, with Council endorsing 12 practical initiatives to deliver faster approvals, greater certainty and a more efficient planning system.
As part of the City’s new Planning Excellence Program, the initiatives will further improve planning services, support investment, facilitate housing and business growth, and enhance customer experience.
Acting Mayor Councillor Elli Petersen-Pik said residents will benefit from the immediate improvements to the City’s planning framework.
“The City has a strong track-record for delivering excellence in planning," he said.
"The City’s Statutory Planning team process development applications valued at approximately $20 million per month, and in the last month alone, the team successfully determined 100% of development applications in an average of 25 days, well ahead of the statutory timeframes.
“The improvements made as part of the City’s new Planning Excellence Program will build on this strong foundation. A renewed focus on customer service will help residents better understand what approvals they need, prepare stronger applications and avoid unnecessary costs and delays.
“Whether renovating your family home, adding an outdoor living area or considering a larger development, the whole process will now be easier. This benefits the City through the creation of vibrant neighbourhoods."
Initiatives include the expansion of the City’s fast-track assessment pathway for suitable low-risk applications and increasing development approval exemptions for straightforward, compliant works.
Residents will also benefit from clearer online checklists and guidance, more opportunities to meet with a planner before lodging an application and personalised assistance throughout the approvals process.
Pop-up planning services at libraries and community facilities will make professional advice easier to access across the City, while businesses moving into existing commercial tenancies can expect simpler pathways to establish the business and grow.
For more information on the City’s planning and development approval services, visit the City's Planning and Development Approvals webpage.
Pictured (L to R): City of Bayswater Councillor Michelle Sutherland and Acting Mayor Councillor Elli Petersen-Pik with Bayswater resident Brad Tyson, who recently received planning approval to develop a new dwelling on his lot and praised the service he received from the City's Planning team.