24 March 2026
21 April 2026
Last update date: 01 May 2026
The City of Stirling has prepared a new draft Local Planning Scheme No. 4 (LPS4) to guide development of the City’s growing and diverse community.
LPS4 will replace the City’s existing Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3) to become the primary statutory document of the City’s planning framework to guide how land within the City is developed.
The proposed new Scheme is based on the recommendations of the City’s Local Planning Strategy and the requirements of the State Government’s statutory and strategic planning framework.
The preparation of draft LPS4 and associated planning instruments has been guided by the following fundamental principles:
The City undertook consultation of draft LPS4 from 18 October 2024 to 24 January 2025. The outcomes of advertising were presented to the 10 June 2025 Council meeting and Council resolved to support draft Local Planning Scheme No.4 with proposed modifications to address issues raised in submissions.
Alongside the development of draft LPS4, the City is undertaking an incremental review of its existing Local Planning Policies (LPPs). This review aims to simplify the City's local planning framework and ensure policies are contemporary, fit for purpose and ready for implementation once LPS is gazetted.
All current planning policies adopted by the City under LPS or the Local Government act are available under the Planning legislations and documents.
This page provides an updated list of both open and closed consultations related to LPS4 and the Local Planning Policies review.
When: April to May 2026
The City is continuing to progress draft LPS4 is undertaking an incremental review of its existing Local Planning Policies (LPPs). This aims to simplify the City’s local planning framework and ensure policies are contemporary, fit for purpose and ready for implementation once LPS4 is gazetted.
As part of this process several updates are required to the way heritage is managed. LPS4 cannot include heritage provisions currently contained in LPS3. To maintain appropriate heritage protections, the City’s two LPPs for character retention, covering Mount Lawley and Menora, and separately the Inglewood Heritage Area, must be updated to include the necessary heritage controls.
These LPPs apply to residential zoned land only. Key proposed changes to the two LPPs for the Heritage Areas include:
Consultation is now closed.
When: December 2025
On 11 November 2025, Council considered a report on the proposed draft LPP – Development Approval Exemptions and resolved that the policy be advertised for public comment.
The City is currently progressing LPS4 and reviewing expisting LPPs to ensure they are fit for purpose when LPS4 is gazetted. As part of this process, the draft LPP – Development Approval Exemptions has been prepared following a review and amalgamation of LPP 6.13 (Markets – Exemption from Development Approval) and LPP 6.15 (Exemption from Requiring Development Approval).
The new policy aims to clarify and update the exemptions from development approval in line with the current State Planning Framework and the transition from LPS3 to LPS4. Provisions that duplicate or conflict with the Regulations and R-Codes have been removed or amended.
Consultation is now closed.
When: October to November 2025
To build upon the community consultation undertaken from LPS4, the City focused on Beaufort Street and its Heritage Area status under LPS4.
As part of this process, the City is transitioning from the current Local Development Plan (LDP) to a Local Planning Policy, a requirement of the State Government, to formally recognise and protect the Heritage Area under the relevant State planning legislation.
The new policy is expected to apply to the area currently covered by the LDP, including all relevant properties along Beauford Street, as well as nearby commercial and mixed-use areas.
As the City drafts the new policy, it sought to understand community perspectives on heritage matters – particularly regarding architectural styles and character of developments in the area.
Consultation is now closed.
When: April to May 2025
On 18 March, Council resolved to adopt LPP 6.6 – Trees and Landscaping for the purposes of advertising.
The draft policy looked to amend the current policy provisions and includes the removal of residential development section (which is covered by the residential State Planning Policy 7.3). The draft policy also introduces some elements of LPP 6.11 – Trees and Development which deals with 'City Trees', with the intent that LPP 6.11 will be revoked upon adoption of this policy.
Consultation is now closed.
When: April to May 2025
Council considered Scheme Amendment No. 131 to the Local Planning Scheme on 19 March 2025, Council also resolved to prepare LPP 6.19 – Short-Term Rental Accomodation (STRA) for public advertising. These documents provided a future framework for assessing STRA development proposals and were advertised together.
These changes were required by the State Government to ensure a consistent approach to STRA (such as Airbnb and Stayz), prompting local governments to amend their planning schemes. The amendment distinguishes between hosted STRA, which did not require a development application, and un-hosted STRA, which were allowed for up to 90 nights before needing approval. It also identified where un-hosted STRA could be considered.
The City prepared draft LPP 6.19 to guide the assessment of un-hosted STRA, including requirements for managment plans, occupancy limits, parking preferred locations, and the need for an Amendity Impact Statement for proposals outside preferred areas.
Consultation is now closed.
When: October to November 2024
The proposed amendments to Local Planning Policy 6.18: Public Consultation refine the existing policy to improve efficiency and streamline the statutory process surrounding public consultation.
The following changes were proposed:
Consultation is now closed.
What is a local planning scheme?
A local planning scheme sets out the zoning of land, permissible land uses, the scale of development and other important information relating to subdivision and development across the City. It forms the basis for all planning decisions made by the City.
Why does the City need a new Local Planning Scheme?
All local governments are required to regularly update their local planning schemes to reflect their community’s changing demographics and needs.
Since approval of the City’s current Local Planning Scheme No. 3 in 2010, planning legislation and practices have undergone significant change.
By preparing a new Local Planning Scheme the City is ensuring our planning rules are up-to-date with current legislative requirements and are clearer and easier to use.
Why is the City removing local development plans (LPDs)?
Due to changes to WA's planning system in recent years, the outcomes that local development plans sought to achieve can now be achieved through a simplified planning framework. There are dozens of local development plans across the City. To simplify the planning framework for the community, most of these will be removed.
Who prepares and approves the Local Planning Scheme?
A new Local Planning Scheme is prepared by the City. Council gives permission to advertise the draft Scheme and endorses a final Scheme after advertising, however, the Minister for Planning gives final approval of the Scheme.
Throughout the preparation of the draft Scheme, the City has worked closely with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to maximise consistency with planning regulations and strategic policies of the State Government.
Has the document changed since it was originally considered by Council?
Yes. In adhering to the proper, legislated process of Scheme development, it is normal, acceptable and expected that the document will change following review by State departments.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) provided its approval in January 2024 and the WAPC consented in August 2024, subject to mandatory changes that the City was obligated to make before receiving final approval to advertise in September 2024.
What are the key changes in the proposed new scheme?
The changes proposed in draft LPS4 are summarised below:
What are the Deemed Provision?
The Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015 include ‘Schedule 2 - deemed provisions for local planning schemes’. Under state legislation, the deemed provisions automatically apply to all Planning Schemes throughout the state, including the new LPS4. Local governments can’t alter or amend deemed provisions.
How can I find out whether the proposed changes affect my property?
Use the mapping tool on this page to see what changes are proposed, if any, to your property. We've also prepared area-specific fact sheets to provide further information about the proposed changes. When you search or click on an address, follow the hyperlink in the side bar to find the relevant fact sheet.
You can also explore other areas in the City of Stirling that may interest you or view potential zoning changes.
The City cannot comment on whether changes proposed in draft LPS4 and LPPs will affect property values. It is recommended you get in touch with a licensed property valuer and/or private planning consultant to provide professional advice on these matters.
Once advertising of the proposed changes to the LPPs has concluded, officers will consider all submissions received and will present a report to Council on the outcomes of advertising, including submissions received and officers responses to these, and any recommended changes to the LPPs.
Matters that cannot be considered valid planning reasons for objecting to a proposal include:
For more information, or to receive this information in an alternate format, please contact the City on (08) 9205 8555 or visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/enquiry.
City of Stirling kaadatj Nyoongar moort Nyoongar boodja-k Wadjak boodja-k. Ngalak kaadatj Nyoongar nedingar wer birdiya koora koora wer yeyi. Baalabang koondarm, malayin wer nakolak baalap yang ngalany-al. Ngalak dandjoo barn wer kaaratj bandang boodja-k.
The City of Stirling acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land, the Wadjak people of the Nyoongar Nation, and pays respect to the Elders both past and present for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Australia.
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