On 16 November 2025, the State Government announced its plans to establish 10 station precincts to facilitate housing development and enhance consistency in planning and decision-making.
This is to be achieved by implementing an Improvement Plan and Scheme which applies to an 800-metre radius around the following train stations within the Perth Metropolitan Area. This will coordinate planning and development across local government boundaries within these precincts.
The announcement includes Claisebrook and Glendalough Train Stations. The 800-metre catchments for these stations will partially include land within the City of Vincent.
The City’s role
The State Government has decision making authority for the station precincts. The City’s role will be limited to providing input to the draft Improvement Scheme when it is advertised by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).
Current situation
The State Government has released a draft Improvement Plan that applies to the 10 train station precincts. A report will be presented to the February 2026 Council meeting for Council to consider a submission being made to WAPC in relation to the draft Improvement Plan.
Community Consultation
Following the initiation of the Improvement Plan, the WAPC will prepare a complementary Improvement Scheme for advertising. The WAPC will seek community feedback on the draft Improvement Scheme before a recommendation is made to the Minister for Planning.
Exact timing for the release and community consultation is not yet known but anticipated to occur in 2026.
Improvement Plan Catchment Areas
FAQs
What is an Improvement Plan?
An improvement plan is a high-level document that outlines overarching objectives and defines the boundary, which then guides the development of a future improvement scheme.
What is an Improvement Scheme?
An Improvement Scheme is a statutory planning framework, like the City’s Local Planning Scheme No. 2 that would apply to the area identified in the Improvement Plan.
The Scheme sets out land use and built form controls for development within the Improvement Plan area. This includes matters such as building heights, residential density, landscaping, and parking requirements.
If an Improvement Scheme is introduced, the area would no longer be subject to the City’s Local Planning Scheme No. 2. Instead, the Improvement Scheme would replace the City’s local planning framework for that land.
Once in place, the State Government, through the Western Australian Planning Commission, would be the decision maker for development applications under the Improvement Scheme. Some decision making may be delegated back to the City.
Who will make decisions for the development applications lodged in the Station Precincts?
Once the Improvement Scheme is in place, the Western Australian Planning Commission would be responsible for determining development applications under the Scheme. Some decision making for smaller applications may be delegated back to the City.
Who currently makes decisions for the development applications lodged in Station Precincts?
At present, development applications with a value of more than $2 million may be determined by the State Government’s Development Assessment Panel. Applications valued at $20 million or more can also be assessed by the State Government through the 11B Significant Development pathway.
As the State Government already has decision making authority for larger developments, the introduction of an Improvement Plan and Improvement Scheme would not result in a significant reduction in the City’s existing decision-making powers.
What is the purpose of the station precinct?
The objectives of the draft Improvement Plan are to support the delivery of new, consolidated housing in areas with good access to train stations. This approach encourages greater use of public transport and reduces the need for infill development in established low density areas.
How will this affect properties within the catchment?
The City’s current planning framework already supports increased density around train stations, so introducing Improvement Plans to encourage additional housing in these areas will not significantly alter the overall planning direction.
An Improvement Plan will have no immediate effect on the existing planning framework or decision making until an Improvement Scheme is introduced.
Any changes to the planning framework would come through the Improvement Scheme, but the details will only be known once the draft Scheme is advertised by the WAPC.
What benefit can an improvement plan/scheme provide?
Improvement Plans and Schemes help coordinate planning and infrastructure across local government boundaries to create transit-oriented developments around train stations, encouraging additional housing in well-serviced areas.
They also provide an opportunity to prioritise infrastructure upgrades and public amenities, improving the feasibility of new housing in station precincts. This can include targeted investments to enhance movement and connectivity to and within these areas.
More information
Enquiries should be directed to the Precinct and Projects Team at the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage on (08) 6551 8002 or email [email protected]
This page will be updated as the project progresses.