Policy Review Committee - 31 Aug 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Wanneroo scraps standalone coastal safety policy after 8–1 vote
  The Committee repealed a policy created after two 2014 beach drownings, saying existing patrols, signage, education and emergency controls now cover the risk.
  Residents may want to know whether the policy change affects beach safety oversight or services.
• Residential crossover subsidy survives policy repeal under annual fees schedule
  Wanneroo repealed its dedicated crossover subsidy policy but retained a 50% contribution for a standard new residential crossover.
  Property owners may be concerned that repeal removes the subsidy; the minutes indicate the payment remains in the annual schedule subject to eligibility rules.
• Wanneroo delays medium-density housing review over driveway setbacks
  Further work on LPP 4.19 was ordered before a decision on amendments affecting medium-density housing standards and driveway setbacks.
  Developers, builders and nearby residents are affected by the timing and eventual interpretation of R-MD standards.

Decisions

• Coastal Aquatic Safety Policy repealed
  The Committee voted 8–1 to repeal the Coastal Aquatic Safety Policy. Administration said its objectives are now covered by the Strategic Risk Register, operational controls, education, patrols, signage and emergency-management arrangements.
  The City’s coastal safety work will continue through operational programs and other corporate frameworks, but the standalone policy will no longer apply.
• Crossovers Subsidy Policy repealed
  The Committee resolved to repeal the Crossovers Subsidy Policy. The subsidy remains recorded in the annual Fees and Charges Schedule as 50% of the cost of a standard new residential crossover, with a maximum of one contribution per property and reimbursement subject to City specifications.
  Eligible residential property owners can continue to access the subsidy under the annual Fees and Charges Schedule, but the policy will be administered through that schedule and related crossover standards.
• Planning policy reviews deferred
  Reviews of Local Planning Policy 4.13 Caves and Karstic Features, LPP 3.3 Fauna Management and LPP 4.19 Medium Density Housing Standards were deferred to 2 November 2026 for further investigation. Issues raised included whether LPP 4.13 could be repealed, public-document management under LPP 3.3 and driveway setbacks under LPP 4.19.
  Decisions on caves and karst, fauna-management documentation and medium-density housing standards will take longer, with further consideration scheduled for November.
• Child Care Services policy released for public comment
  The Committee resolved to advertise draft amended Local Planning Policy 2.3: Child Care Services for 21 days, including notification to relevant State agencies, industry bodies, childcare providers and publication on the City’s website.
  Residents and childcare-sector stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed planning-policy changes.
• Coastal Assets policy released for public comment
  The Committee resolved to advertise draft amended Local Planning Policy 4.21: Coastal Assets for 21 days. Submissions and Administration’s response will return to a future meeting for consideration of final adoption.
  The public will have an opportunity to comment on proposed planning controls affecting coastal assets before final consideration.
• Electronic attendance rules revised
  The Committee endorsed a revised Electronic Attendance at Meetings Policy, including adding the Mayor to an authority-to-determine provision and removing clauses that restricted certain electronic-attendance arrangements.
  The changes may provide greater flexibility for elected members to attend meetings electronically while retaining legislative meeting requirements.
• Enterprise Funding Policy endorsed
  The Committee endorsed the revised Enterprise Funding Policy. Funding remains subject to annual budget allocations, and the amendments are intended to be administered within existing approved budgets.
  Community and other eligible organisations seeking enterprise funding will continue to be assessed through the City’s annual budget process.
• Joint-use facilities policy adopted
  The Committee adopted the Joint Development and Shared Use with the Department of Education Policy, supporting collaboration to maximise community access to shared education and community facilities.
  The policy supports continued joint development and community use of facilities connected with the Department of Education.
• Council Members Recognition of Service Policy amended
  The Committee endorsed a revised policy after approving removal of clause 6.4(b). A proposed amendment to remove the reference to a retiring member’s partner was defeated.
  The policy governing recognition and memorabilia for retiring Council Members has been updated, including the approved removal of one clause.

Discussion

• Coastal and beach safety governance
  The standalone Coastal Aquatic Safety Policy, introduced after 2014 drowning incidents, was considered redundant by most members because safety is now managed through operational and corporate controls.
  Beach patrols, signage, education and emergency arrangements remain the main practical safety measures.
• Residential crossover subsidy administration
  The crossover subsidy and calculation method are now included in the annual Fees and Charges Schedule and supported by standard design specifications.
  The subsidy is still available under the stated eligibility rules, but owners must meet the City’s standard crossover requirements.
• Planning controls and public consultation
  The Committee progressed advertising for proposed amendments to policies covering childcare services and coastal assets, while deferring other planning-policy reviews for further work.
  Planning applicants, property owners, childcare providers and environmental stakeholders may be affected by the consultation and later policy decisions.
• Medium-density housing standards
  Further review of LPP 4.19 was deferred to investigate driveway setbacks and the operation of the City’s R-MD provisions.
  The timing of decisions on medium-density development standards has been delayed until the November meeting.
• Community facility access
  The adopted shared-use policy reinforces collaboration with the Department of Education to maximise community access to shared facilities.
  Community groups and residents may benefit from clearer arrangements for using education-linked facilities.

Impacts

• Eligible owners of newly constructed standard residential crossovers can continue to seek a 50% subsidy, subject to the annual Fees and Charges Schedule and City specifications.
• Planning-policy decisions on childcare, coastal assets, caves and karst, fauna management and medium-density housing will involve further advertising, investigation or later Committee consideration.
• The City’s coastal safety work continues through operational measures despite repeal of the standalone policy.
• Community organisations seeking enterprise funding remain subject to annual budget allocations.
• The next Policy Review Committee meeting is scheduled for 2 November 2026.

Places

• City of Wanneroo beaches (coastal service area)
  Covered by the Coastal Aquatic Safety Policy and continuing operational safety arrangements.
• Wanneroo (local government area)
  The City of Wanneroo is the jurisdiction affected by all policy and planning decisions.
• Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo (civic facility)
  Meeting venue and location of the Council Chamber.

Next

• Advertise draft amended LPP 2.3: Child Care Services for 21 days and invite submissions from identified agencies, industry bodies, providers and the public.
  After the 31 August 2026 decision; submissions to inform a future consideration.
• Advertise draft amended LPP 4.21: Coastal Assets for 21 days and report submissions and Administration’s response to a future meeting.
  After the 31 August 2026 decision.
• Reconsider LPP 4.13, LPP 3.3 and LPP 4.19 after further investigation.
  Policy Review Committee meeting scheduled for 2 November 2026.
• Continue administering crossover subsidies through the annual Fees and Charges Schedule and adopted crossover standards.
  Through annual budgeting and fees-and-charges reviews.
• Hold the next Policy Review Committee meeting.
  2 November 2026, 6:00 PM, Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Wanneroo.

Extract

Unconfirmed Minutes Policy Review Committee Meeting Minutes Policy Review Committee Meeting 6:00PM, Monday 31 August, 2026 Council Chamber (Level 1), Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo wanneroo.wa.gov.au UNCONFIRMED MINUTES OF POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 31 AUGUST, 2026 CONTENTS ITEM 1 ATTENDANCES 1 ITEM 2 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE 1 ITEM 3 PUBLIC QUESTIONS 2 PUBLIC QUESTIONS RECEIVED IN WRITING AT LEAST 30 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING 2 PQP01-08/26 R CASEY, MERRIWA 2 ITEM 4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 4 4.1 MINUTES OF POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 15 JUNE 2026 4 ITEM 5 REPORTS 4 MINOR REVIEWS 4 5.1 JOINT DEVELOPMENT AND SHARED USE FACILITIES WITH DEPARTMEN...