What is a Local Planning Scheme?
A Local Planning Scheme is a statutory document, essentially the "rule book" for development within the Shire. It provides the legal basis for how land can be used and developed, ensuring that growth is managed in a way that benefits all residents.
Some of the key functions of a Local Planning Scheme include:
- Zoning and Land Use: Defining what types of activities (residential, commercial, rural, industrial) can occur on specific parcels of land.
- Development Control: Setting standards for building heights, setbacks, and design to maintain the character of our towns.
- Environmental Protection: Identifying and safeguarding local reserves and ecologically sensitive areas.
- Infrastructure Coordination: Ensuring that new developments are supported by the necessary services and public spaces.
What is the Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 6 (LPS6)?
LPS6 will be a new Local Planning Scheme which is an amalgamation of Town Planning Schemes No. 3 (TPS3) and No. 4 (TPS4), which were gazetted in 1983 and 1987 respectively.
Why is the Shire updating its Town Planning Schemes?
The State's planning framework has changed significantly since the early eighties and Draft LPS6 proposes to incorporate the latest regulatory requirements and policy practice such as adopting the Model Scheme Text, incorporating a model set of names for reserves, zones, land use definitions and general clauses.
TPS3 & TPS4 have each had over 70 amendments, most of which have been to accommodate specific developments, as per the schedules in the existing Schemes. This has resulted in fragmented and disjointed Schemes which is difficult to read, interpret and administer.
What is the Local Planning Scheme (LPS) Regulations?
The LPS Regulations are a requirement of the Planning and Development Act (2005).
The LPS Regulations govern the content, implementation and practice of local planning schemes. The full name of the LPS Regulations are the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
Importantly, the LPS Regulations contain ‘deemed provisions’ which automatically became law and are now part of all local planning schemes, of all local governments, from when they took effect in October 2015. Navigating between the deemed provisions and the old Schemes is onerous and very difficult for all stakeholders.
This explains why so much content within TPS3 and TPS4 will be removed from LPS6.
How will Draft LPS6 coordinate with other land use planning requirements in the Shire?
Council at its meeting on 28 July 2022 resolved that the consolidation of LPS6 is the first part of a three-stage process as follows:
- Stage 1 - Combine TPS3 and TPS4 into one new Scheme aligning with the LPS Regulations (Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015),
- Stage 2 - Prepare and finalise a Local Planning Strategy (Strategy). This will investigate strategic planning issues confronting the Shire including (not limited to) mine expansion, agricultural protection, population projections, settlement patterns, land use conflict, bushfire risk, tourism, opportunities and constraints to subdivision etc; and
- Stage 3 - Amend the new LPS6 to be consistent with the Strategy, as and when required.
What is the overall theme of the proposed changes?
The main objective in transitioning from the old Schemes to LPS6 is to achieve a balance between the following key objectives:
- Consistency with the LPS Regulations and WAPC policy. This is a priority of the Western Australian Planning Commission.
- Retain as much of the current local framework as possible with a ‘no change’ approach or ‘like for like’ transition.
Where a change is proposed for consistency and to ensure a pragmatic approach to development control, further consideration can be made following the consultation period when Council consider adopting the Draft LPS6 at a future meeting of Council considering all submissions.
Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 6 (LPS 6) - Proposed Modifications - Open for Comment
Following the Special Council Meeting held on 3 September 2025, Council resolved to enter a second round of public advertising to ensure the community has a full opportunity to comment on the latest modifications to Draft LPS6.
The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, in accordance with the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, is seeking public comment on modifications to the Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 6. Any submissions must be in relation to the proposed modifications only. Please review the Schedule of Proposed Modifications before making a submission.
Formal submissions are invited from interested stakeholders in the following manner:
- Via our online form (Preferred method) - LPS6 Modifications Comment Form
- Via email: BTNSHIRE@bridgetown.wa.gov.au; please include your name, address and the subject line "Proposed Modification to Local Planning Scheme No. 6".
- In writing to: Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes PO Box 271, Bridgetown WA 6255; Please ensure submissions are typed or clearly legible, as comments that cannot be read may not be able to be fully considered
The submission period closes at 4pm, Monday, 4 May 2026.
Below you will find a suite of documents and tools related to LPS 6. Whether you are a homeowner planning an extension, a developer looking at new opportunities, or a resident interested in the future of your neighborhood, these resources are designed to help you.