The State Government has announced plans for a review of residential design codes.
The State Government has announced plans for a review of residential design codes.
The two year review will assess the effectiveness of R-Codes to make sure the policy remains relevant and effective for residential developments.
See full announcement from Planning Minister John Day below:
Planning Minister John Day today announced a two-year review of the Residential Design Codes - also known as R-Codes.
"This review will assess the current effectiveness of the R-Codes to ensure the policy remains relevant and effective for all residential development within Western Australia," Mr Day said.
"R-Codes are a source of concern for many people, and I hope the outcome of this review will be simpler, more straightforward content and more efficient application of the R-Codes."
The review will investigate a wide range of issues including:
consideration of the local planning policies being prepared by local government and the consistency in the development of these policies
new and emerging residential design trends not currently catered for in the R-Codes
sustainable development issues relating to the design and energy efficiency of buildings
the role of detailed area plans and the relationship with the R-Codes
design for climate variations to encompass regional design requirements.
The Minister said the review would involve a public consultation phase scheduled for the first half of 2011.
"As the R-Codes set out the standards and control for residential development throughout WA and are incorporated by reference into most local government planning schemes, the review of the R-Codes will involve a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties," he said.
"This review follows on from the current proposed amendment of the R-Codes to incorporate additional provisions for multiple dwelling developments.
"The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has recently endorsed these provisions and I am currently considering the amendment."
Consultants Gutteridge Haskins and Davey Pty Ltd (GHD) is conducting the review.
