The City of Stirling’s Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 4 (LPS4) is a proposal to replace Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3), not a set of rules readers should assume is already in force. Public consultation ran from 18 October 2024 to 24 January 2025. Council supported the draft with proposed modifications on 10 June 2025; the City project page, last updated 4 August 2026, does not confirm ministerial approval, gazettal or commencement.
What a local planning scheme does
A local planning scheme sets the zoning of land, the uses that may be permitted, the scale of development and other requirements relating to subdivision and development. The City of Stirling says it forms the basis for its planning decisions across the local government area. City of Stirling: Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 4 and Local Planning Policies Review.
The City prepared LPS4 to replace LPS3, which was approved in 2010. It says changes to planning legislation and practice since then make a new scheme necessary, with the aim of making local rules more current, clear and easier to use. The City described the draft as intended to provide “greater clarity and certainty for residents about future development in their neighbourhoods” in its 18 October 2024 announcement. City of Stirling news release, 18 October 2024.
What is the status of LPS4?
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 18 October 2024 | The City announced the draft scheme and opened public consultation. |
| 18 October 2024–24 January 2025 | Public consultation period. |
| 10 June 2025 | Council supported the draft with proposed modifications responding to issues raised in submissions. |
| 4 August 2026 | Last update date shown on the City project page reviewed here; it records the Council milestone but does not state that the Minister has approved or gazetted LPS4. |
The City says the Minister for Planning gives final approval to a new scheme. The City project page does not establish whether final approval, gazettal or commencement took place after its 4 August 2026 update. Check the City’s current scheme materials and applicable State information before treating any draft provision as operative.
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What the draft proposes to change
The City’s summary describes changes to the structure and terminology of the scheme, growth areas and development guidance. These are proposed provisions, and their relevance will depend on the property and the final approved scheme.
Zones, land uses and reserves
- Reduce the number of zones and use more consistent land-use terms, while introducing some new land uses.
- Remove material already covered by State planning regulations and align local reserves with current State provisions.
- Introduce specialised residential land-use categories for accommodation of aged and dependent persons.
Growth and built form
- Continue to focus growth in Activity Centres and along Urban Corridors while protecting existing lower-density neighbourhoods.
- Give clearer guidance about likely density, built form and the scale of new buildings.
- Remove layers and make development standards easier to find.
Apartments and local development plans
The City says the draft would remove current restrictions on apartment development in low-density neighbourhoods and, in some areas, remove restrictions on apartment numbers in certain R40 areas. It also says most local development plans would be removed because changes in the Western Australian planning system allow their intended outcomes to be achieved through a simplified framework.
These descriptions do not mean every property is affected, or that apartments would automatically be permitted on a particular site. Zoning, use permissibility, other scheme provisions and State rules all matter. Check the property-specific map and relevant documents rather than relying on a broad summary.
How to check whether a property is affected
- Open the City’s LPS4 project page.
- Use the map to search for an address or select a location.
- Open the linked fact sheet for that area and review the proposed changes alongside the scheme documents and applicable State planning rules.
- If you need advice about an individual site or the possible effect on property value, consult a private planning consultant and/or a licensed property valuer. The City says it cannot comment on property-value effects.
Who decides whether the scheme takes effect?
The City says a local government prepares a new scheme. Council permits advertising and endorses a final scheme after advertising, but the Minister for Planning gives final approval. The City also says it worked with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage during preparation to seek consistency with State regulations and strategic policies.
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Some rules are set at State level rather than by the City. In particular, Schedule 2 deemed provisions in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015 apply automatically to planning schemes throughout Western Australia and cannot be changed by local governments, according to the City’s FAQ.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What property owners and builders should do now
For project planning, treat the draft as a signal of proposed policy direction, not proof of current development rights. Before making a design, purchase or feasibility decision, confirm the site’s current zoning and applicable controls, then check the latest official status of LPS4 and any final scheme documents. For a particular address, use the City’s map and area fact sheet; for site-specific planning or valuation questions, get professional advice.
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