You are invited to inspect and make comment on this proposed Local Planning Policy before Council considers it further. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS CLOSE OF BUSINESS (5.00PM) ON THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2026.
Name:
Proposed Local Planning Policy POL-LP-1.19 Extractive Industries.
Purpose:
To set out what information is required to accompany planning applications for extractive industries and provide guidance on what matters are to be considered in the determination of extractive industry applications and approval timeframes.
Process after the advertising period closes:
Matters raised in the submissions received will be reported to the Council at an up-coming Council Meeting, where it will make a decision to give final approval (with or without modifications) or not proceed. Council meeting dates and agendas can be found on the City's website www.swan.wa.gov.au
Notes:
- Late submissions will not be considered.
- Public comments will be reported on in public documents in general terms only (name, suburb and whether you cite you are a neighbouring resident/landowner in proximity to an extractive industry, interest group, an extractive industry operator/landowner/representative or other.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does it seek to achieve?
Proposed Local Planning Policy POL-LP-1.19 Extractive Industries seeks to achieve a balance between ensuring that basic raw materials can be responsibly extracted, while ensuring that the environmental and amenity impacts of extractive industries operations are appropritely managed.
What are its key features?
The proposed Policy -
- Sets out what information is required to accompany planning applications for extractive industries; and
- Provides guidance on what matters are to be considered in the determination of extractive industries applications and approval timeframes.
In terms of guidance, the proposed Policy -
- Articulates locational considerations applicable to applications for Extractive Industries and aspects of such applications that pose potential amenity and environmental impacts (visual impact, dust, noise and water/drainage management, traffic impact, vegetation clearing, and fly-rock risk and risk posed by bushfire);
- Articulates requirements for rehabilitation of extractive sites and provision of information on the extractive operations for access by the public;
- Provides a framework for time limited planning approvals that enable a performance appraisal of an extractive operation;
- Designates that all Extractive Industries applications are to be processed as 'complex applications' that will have the most extensive degree of advertising for public comment; and
- Frames the purpose of the Policy in a way that is consistent with the purpose and objectives of State Planning Policy 2.4 - Basic Raw Materials (SPP 2.4) and the SPP 2.4 Guidelines.
Who & what has informed its content?
The Policy has been formulated through a consultation process with selected members of the community (through resident/ratepayer's associations of Upper Swan, Bullsbrook, Gidgegannup and Swan Valley), Extractive Industries (operators, landowners and/or their consultants) and other regulatory agencies. Its content was also informed by the provisions of the Western Australian Planning Commission's State Planning Policy 2.4 - Raw Materials (SPP 2.4), SPP 2.4's Guidelines and the Extractive Industries Local Law that it is intended to replace.
What will it replace?
It is intended that the Policy will replace the City's Extractive Industries Local Law (1982) as the City's main document guiding decisions and expectations on extractive industries.
Why is a Local Planning Policy replacing a Local Law?
Having a local law is considered an unnecessary replication of function. The regulation of Extractive Industries through the planning approval process pursuant to the City's Local Planning Scheme No.17 is considered superior to a local law as provisions of the Scheme prevail over a local law. For more reasons as to why a Policy is considered superior please see the relevant Council Minutes from the 10 December 2025 OCM - Item 14.3.4, which is attached under supporting documentation.
