It is essential that a local government public open space strategy fits into the strategic planning framework of local government.
The State Government has legislated a new
Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework for Local Government. This
framework requires all local governments to consult with their
communities to develop a vision for the future in a number of integrated
plans as shown in figure 4. It expects all local governments to examine
the demographic, social, environmental and economic trends shaping the
future of their area and align their activities and resources to the
community’s needs and aspirations.
The framework also requires
local governments to manage their financial, infrastructure and human
resources effectively and efficiently so that all local governments can
deliver high quality services sustainably into the future.
In
addition to this high level planning which establishes the vision,
values and priorities for the next 10 years, there will be a range of
informing strategies that will need to be considered. The Planning and
Development Act (2005) requires local governments have local planning strategy, and a local planning scheme and planning policies that support
the implementation of the scheme.
Beyond this, local
governments have a range of other strategies that support their
activities. The nature of these will vary from local government to local
government and may include a:
- environmental/biodiversity strategy
- housing strategy
- community facilities strategy
- economic development strategy
- local government’s asset management strategy
- financial management plan
- area specific strategies such as precinct plans or development control areas.
Planning process
The
main processes involved within the WA planning system include: local
planning scheme development/review/scheme amendments; subdivision; and
development approval. Local government has varying degrees of control
within these processes which is explained in general terms as follows:
Local planning scheme development/review and amendments
Local government role/responsibility
- initiates; prepares and endorses
- grants preliminary approval/recommends approval or refusal.
Ultimate decision maker
- WAPC/Minister for Planning.
Useful links to WAPC flow charts:
Introduction to the Western Australian Planning System
Subdivision
Local government role/responsibility
- assessment
- recommends approval (with or without conditions) or refusal.
Ultimate decision maker
Useful links to WAPC flow charts:
Development
Local government role/responsibility
- assessment
- grants
approval (with or without conditions) or refusal — for DAs under a LPS
that are not subject to the DAP Regulations, or where granted delegated
authority from the WAPC for DAs under a region scheme; OR
- recommends
approval (with or without conditions) or refusal — for DAs under a LPS
subject to the DAP Regulations, or for DAs under a region scheme,
redevelopment act or improvement plan.
Ultimate decision maker
- local government — for DAs under a LPS that are not subject to the DAP
Regulations, or where granted delegated authority from the WAPC for DAs
under a region scheme
- DAP for DAs under a LPS and a region scheme subject to the DAP Regulations
- WAPC
for DAs under a region scheme not subject to the DAP Regulations, or
where granted the power under a redevelopment act or improvement plan
- SAT for DAs subject to review of approval/refusal decision (initiated by the applicant)
In
assessing, recommending an outcome, and making a decision in regard to
the above planning processes, a Local Government must comply with its
local planning scheme and have due regard to its local planning policies
and strategies.
Significantly, the same also applies to the ultimate decision maker even when it is not the local government1.
This highlights the importance of ensuring that an individual local
government’s planning framework (which includes its local planning
tools) is appropriately designed and developed to support the vision of
that local government, including its vision for public open space.
For more information on the planning process refer to the Guide to the WA Planning System for the sport and recreation professional – Department of Sport and Recreation (2010).