Perth
Town Planning Perth
Planning advice, development approval support and council guidance for residential, commercial and land projects across Perth.
- 98% planning approval success rate across Australia
- 70+ years of combined planning experience
- Hundreds of approvals managed across WA councils
- End-to-end support from due diligence to final approval
Perth projects are shaped by Western Australian planning laws, local planning schemes, state planning policies, zoning requirements, development standards and site conditions that can affect what can be built, changed or approved.
The rules may seem clear at first, but how Perth councils apply them to your site is often where projects slow down. That is the part we help with.
We work with property owners, developers, architects and business operators on Perth projects of different sizes, from single homes and extensions through to commercial fitouts, grouped dwellings, apartments, subdivisions and signage. Our role is to confirm the right planning pathway for your site, prepare the documents council needs, and guide the application through to a decision.
When a Perth project runs into questions or resistance, we help respond with clear planning advice, revised information and practical next steps. If your works do not need development approval, we will tell you that too. We do not recommend planning work you do not need.
Why Work With Us For Perth Projects
98% Approval Success Rate
Nearly all the applications we lodge get approved. That's the product of careful pre-lodgement strategy and matching the proposal to the assessment benchmarks before lodging, not a lucky run.
One team, end-to-end
You don't hand off between consultants. We manage the planning pathway from site assessment to final consent, including coordination with architects, traffic engineers, arborists, heritage consultants, surveyors and BASIX assessors where the council requires them.
70+ years of combined planning experience
Our planners have worked across residential, commercial, industrial, hospitality and retail projects in councils around Australia, including material change of use and reconfiguring a lot applications, change applications, and appeals to the Planning and Environment Court.
Honest Advice, Not Guesswork
If your project has risks, constraints or likely council concerns, we explain them clearly so you can make informed decisions before spending more.
Perth Town Planning Services
Here’s what we can assist with across Perth development projects.
Development Applications (DAs)
Preparation and lodgement of DAs under the relevant Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. Includes site analysis, zoning and overlay assessment, compliance with the Apartment Design Guide (SEPP 65) and Low Rise Housing Diversity Code where applicable, neighbourhood character response, and the Statement of Environmental Effects that argues why consent should be granted.
Due Diligence and Feasibility
Pre-purchase or pre-design assessment of zones, overlays, heritage controls, bushfire and flood mapping (BAL ratings, 10/50 vegetation, flood planning levels), and the development potential of your site. Includes a clear written read on whether your concept is permissible, partially permissible, or going to require a Clause 4.6 variation.
Strategic Planning Advice
Written planning advice for clients who need a defensible position before they invest, build, or proceed. Useful for buyers, developers comparing sites, and architects briefing clients.
State Administrative Tribunal Representation
Appeals to the State Administrative Tribunal against DA refusals, conditions disputes, and deemed refusals., conditions disputes, and deemed refusals. We brief and run the case, coordinate expert evidence, attend alternative dispute resolution (ADR) conferences, and represent clients through to hearing.
Development Approval Amendments
and SAT Reviews
Section 4.55 modifications to existing development consents, secondary consent matters, and Section 8.2 reviews when council has refused or imposed unworkable conditions.
Signage and Advertising Permits
Planning approvals for business identification, promotion, and major signage under the Exempt and Complying Development Codes SEPP and individual LEP signage controls. Strong track record across retail, hospitality and fitness industry rollouts.
Change of Use Applications
Consent for new business uses including food premises, places of public worship, medical centres, education establishments, and licensed venues. We handle the planning side; you focus on the operation.
Council Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
Pre-lodgement meetings, response to council requests for additional information, objector negotiation, and Section 34 conciliation at the Land and Environment Court.
Unsure Which Planning Service Fits Your Project?
Planning rules can be confusing, especially when your Perth project does not fit neatly into one category. Send us the details and we can point you in the right direction.
How We Work On Perth Planning Matters
We don’t just lodge applications. We manage the journey from early planning advice through to final conditions and post-approval support. Here’s how it runs for Perth projects.
Site
Assessment
We review your property's zone, overlays and the relevant clauses of the LEP and DCP to confirm what's possible, what's restricted, and what's worth pursuing.
Planning
Advice
With the controls mapped, we set the approval strategy and flag the issues that could slow your project before they cost time or money.
Application
Preparation
We prepare the planning report, coordinate supporting information and help ensure your submission is ready for council review.
Certification &
Coordination
Once the decision notice is issued, we work through the conditions of approval and coordinate the handover into the building and certification stage so the conditions don't become a problem on site.
Post-Approval
Support
Projects change. Designs evolve. Conditions need testing, and approvals sometimes need a change application. We stay on the project after the approval is in your hands.
Who Our Town Planning Is For
- Property owners planning a house, grouped dwelling, extension, renovation or change of use in Perth
- Developers pursuing apartments, grouped dwellings, mixed-use sites, subdivisions or commercial projects across Perth
- Business operators opening, expanding or fitting out premises in Perth, including hospitality, retail, fitness, health, childcare and education spaces
- Architects and designers who want a planning consultant to manage the council pathway while they focus on design
- Buyers doing pre-purchase planning due diligence on a Perth site
If you’re at the “is this even worth pursuing?” stage, that is exactly when a planning consultation can help. Start before the site is bought, not after.
Proven Results That Speak for Themselves
With hundreds of successful projects across Australia, our numbers say it all.
Perth Town Planning FAQs
Do You Have An Office In Perth?
Our head office is in East Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, and we assist Perth projects remotely with planning reviews, application strategy, council correspondence and consultant coordination. Most planning work runs efficiently by phone, email and video, with Perth-based site visits or meetings arranged where needed.
How Long Does A Development Application Take In Perth?
Timeframes vary depending on the local government, project type, referrals, advertising requirements, information requests and whether the matter is handled by council, WAPC or a Development Assessment Panel. Straightforward applications may move faster than complex or advertised proposals, but we give you a realistic timeline before lodgement based on the council, pathway and scope.
What Does A Development Application Cost In Perth?
Fees depend on the type, value and scale of the development, as well as the relevant local government or assessment pathway. Council fees are only one part of the cost. You may also need planning consultant fees and supporting reports such as traffic, heritage, bushfire, acoustic, waste, landscaping, environmental or engineering advice. We provide a clear scope at the start and explain which reports your site is likely to need.
Do I Need Development Approval For My Project?
Not always. Some works may be exempt from development approval if they meet the relevant requirements, including certain single house works under WA planning provisions. The right pathway depends on the proposal, zoning, local planning scheme, site constraints and whether any policy variations are involved.
Can You Represent Us At The State Administrative Tribunal?
Yes. We assist with refusals, condition disputes, deemed refusals and planning reviews through WA’s State Administrative Tribunal. We can help assess the issues, prepare or coordinate planning evidence and work alongside legal representation where required.
We’ve Already Had An Application Refused. Can You Help?
Often, yes. We review the refusal reasons, review timeframe, planning issues and available options. That may include revised plans, further council negotiation, a SAT review or a fresh application with the key issues addressed. Each route has different cost, time and risk considerations.
Do You Only Work On Big Developments?
No. Houses, grouped dwellings, extensions, small commercial fitouts, change of use applications and signage are a regular part of our work, alongside subdivisions, apartments, mixed-use and larger development projects across Perth.
How Do We Get Started?
Send us your site address and a short description of what you are trying to build, change or resolve. We will come back with an initial read, usually within one business day, and let you know whether a paid scope is the right next step or whether it is something we can sort out in a single call.