Public Open Space Contributions Policy and Strategies

Council at its April 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting adopted the Public Open Space Strategy and Local Planning Policy 7.7 Public Open Space Contributions. This Policy and Strategy is available as part of the City's Local Planning Documents accessed vis the City's website. Copies can also be viewed at re City's Administration Building located at 71 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA, 6009.

Members of the community are invited to make a submission on the draft Local Planning Policy 7.7: Public Open Space Contributions (the Policy), a standalone draft Public Open Space Strategy (the Strategy) and corresponding amendments to the City of Nedlands Local Planning Strategy (the LPS). Submissions can be made online through the online survey below, via email at planning@nedlands.wa.gov.au, or by sending hard copy submissions to the City's Administration Building. You may also RSVP for an information session through the registration link at the bottom of this page.

What does the Policy cover?

The Policy sets out when and how much contribution is to be collected. The draft Policy proposes that a POS contribution of land equal to 10% of the lot value be provided for each development proposing in excess of three dwellings. This contribution is reduced to 7% where cash-in-lieu of POS is provided.

What does the Public Open Space Local Planning Strategy cover? 

The amendment provides rationale for the Policy criteria and sets out where and on what the contributions are proposed to be spent within Nedlands and Dalkeith. The amendment:

• Includes a thorough review of the City's expected future population growth and how it fits into the existing public open space provision.
• Maps out existing public open space assets and audits them bases on their amenity.
• Identifies general locations where future public open space will be required based on population density.
• Estimates the cost of such upgrades and land acquisitions against the expected population growth to arrive at an amount of funds needed in the long term.
• Uses the cost estimate along with population estimate to come to a cash in lieu figure of 7% for the open space for new developments that create three or more lots. The cash will be used to initiate the recommendations that will maintain the expected amenity of public open space within Nedlands.

What do the amendments to the Local Planning Strategy cover?

The amendments incorporate the draft POS Strategy analysis and outcomes into the Local Planning Strategy for an endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC). As the WAPC is responsible for placing any cash-in-lieu condition on a subdivision approval, their support is critical to ensure that the cash-in-lieu contribution proposed by the City is enforced. Incorporating the POS strategy into the LPS is the legislated pathway to achieve WAPC support.

What is the amendment for?

The current WAPC policy DC2.3 allows a 10% contribution of either land or cash-in-lieu whenever 6 or more lots are created in a subdivision (including built strata subdivisions).

The WAPC’s draft Operational Policy 2.3 proposes to reduce the current 10% cash-in-lieu contribution for POS to 5% in infill areas, such as Nedlands, when 6 or more lots are created. For the City to request a contribution which exceeds 5%, and to collect a contribution for the creation of between 3 and 5 lots, a Strategy must be adopted that includes the requested percentage along with the rationale. That Strategy is also the subject of this consultation. Additionally, the standalone POS Strategy is to be incorporated into the Local Planning Strategy to ensure WAPC support.

What's happening now and how can I get involved? 

Members of the community are invited to make a submission online through a survey by clicking here or below, via email at planning@nedlands.wa.gov.au, or by sending hard copy submissions to the City’s Administration Building at 71 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009. For email and hard copy submissions, please include:

• Subject line: Public Open Space Strategy and Policy
• Full name
• Address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Whether you support or object to the draft Policy and Strategy, or if you are providing comment only.

Consultation will run from 17 November 2023 to 17 January 2024.

Feedback received will be taken into consideration prior to the Strategy, Policy and amendment being provided back to Council. Please note that written submissions are not considered confidential and may be published in Council agendas.

Community Information Sessions

The City is also holding a community information session on 4 December 2023 from 5pm to 6pm in the Council Chambers at 71 Stirling Highway. Please note that there is no presentation at this session. They are an opportunity to speak to a City Officer about the proposal and you do not have to attend the entire time. Please RSVP through the link below should you wish to attend.

For any further enquires, or to arrange a time to come into the City to speak to a Planner, please contact the City’s Strategic Planning team via email at planning@nedlands.wa.gov.au or call 9273 3500.