Local Planning Policies 1.1 and LPP 1.2 have been in place since 2021. Informed by a community reference group, the policies’ intent and objectives are to protect and enhance the City’s unique and well-loved character.
The City of Subiaco is looking to update LPP 1.1 and 1.2, to align with the new Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) set by the West Australian Government.
The R-Codes provides planning and design provisions for residential development across Western Australia. They aim to facilitate an appropriate standard of housing, encourage more diverse types of housing, promote sustainability and outline assessment pathways to facilitate better residential outcomes for occupants.
(source: Residential Design Codes Volume 1 - (Including Medium Density)
The State Government updated the R-Codes in April 2024. The City of Subiaco needs to update its local policies by April 2026 so they stay valid and work together with the updated R-Codes.
Importantly, there is no change to the intent or objectives of either policy - the proposed updates focus on ensuring the policies remain consistent with the revised R-Codes.
At its July 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council resolved to defer the agenda item relating to LPP 1.1 and 1.2 to allow more time to review and consider the changes in detail, take advice, and respond to community questions and concerns.
Mayor David McMullen said the City has received queries from several persons in the community, concerned or unsure about the impact of the modifications to the policies.
“In each instance, the City's unequivocal advice in response has been that the modifications will not have the impact on local areas that those persons have been concerned about.”
He reassured the community that by deferring the decision by a month, Council has taken the time to receive detailed advice, and afforded staff an opportunity to respond in detail to each query from community member.
"City staff have been abundantly clear in their advice to Council, and in their answers to each question put to them by Council - that is, the modifications do not change the policy intent that underlies LPP 1.1 and 1.2.
“We know how important local character is to our community. If the policy modifications were to erode the policy intent or objectives of LPP 1.1 or 1.2 in any way, I would have expected to see changes to the officer recommendation between last month and this month. But the recommendation has not changed, because the professional advice and opinion of our planners has not changed.
“I am confident that by the Ordinary Council Meeting - if not already - each Councillor will have taken the opportunity to satisfy themselves that all lines of inquiry regarding the modified policies have been pursued and followed through to conclusion."
