Housing & planning · City of Wanneroo
Wanneroo committee votes unanimously to revoke caves and karst planning policy
Unconfirmed minutes record an 8-0 vote to revoke Local Planning Policy 4.13, with a website notice directed and an advice note proposed for approval procedures.
Reporting from draft minutes. Recorded wording may change when confirmed. How this article was prepared
The City of Wanneroo’s Policy Review Committee recorded an 8-0 resolution to revoke Local Planning Policy 4.13, the standalone policy covering planning proposals that affect or are affected by caves and karstic features.
The policy set information requirements for structure plans, subdivision applications and development applications. Its objectives included conserving caves and significant karstic features for their geological, cultural and environmental values, and reducing geotechnical risks to people and property.
Administration’s review said the policy was no longer needed because its provisions were covered by the Western Australian Planning Commission’s Model Subdivision Conditions Schedule 2025, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The review also said there was no evidence the policy had been actively recommended to developers or that the City received specific reports arising from it.
The committee’s resolution also directs publication of a revocation notice on the City’s website. Administration said state legislation and statutory guidelines would continue to cover matters such as pre-work geotechnical investigations, certification and environmental management plans. It also proposed an advice note in the City’s approval procedures to highlight relevant requirements for caves and karstic matters.
The minutes are marked unconfirmed and the supplied passages do not state when the notice will be published. They record the revocation and publication direction, rather than confirming that the notice has already appeared or specifying when the policy’s revocation takes effect.
What deserves a closer look
The core outcome is explicitly recorded, but the source is labelled unconfirmed minutes.
The record distinguishes the committee's direction to publish a notice from confirmation that the notice has been published.
The source says other state requirements and guidance continue to address relevant cave, karst and subterranean biodiversity matters, but the supplied passages do not specify the effective date of the revocation.
Questions for follow-up reporting
When will the City publish the revocation notice required by the resolution?
When will the proposed advice note be added to the City's approval procedures?
What date will the City treat as the effective date of the policy's revocation?
Will the City publish further applicant guidance identifying the state requirements it expects proposals to address?
What happens next
The City is directed to publish notice of the revocation on its website in accordance with clause 87 of the deemed provisions; the supplied record does not establish that publication has occurred.
Administration proposed including an advice note in approval procedures highlighting relevant state legislation and guidelines concerning caves and karstic matters; the supplied record does not establish that it has been added.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
The committee recorded a resolution revoking LPP 4.13 and directing publication of a revocation notice on the City's website.
Financial Implications The costs associated with undertaking the review of LPP 4.13 can be met from Administration's current operational budget. Voting Requirements Simple Majority Moved Cr Berry, Seconded Cr Rowe That the Policy Review Committee: 1. Pursuant to clause 6 of the deemed provisions of District Planning Scheme No. 2, REVOKES Local Planning Policy 4.13: Caves and Karstic Features; and 2. PUBLISHES notice of revocation of Local Planning Policy No. 4.13: Caves and Karstic Features on the City's website in accordance with clause 87 of the deemed provisions. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY **8/0 For the Motion: Mayor Aitken, Cr Bedworth, Cr Berry, Cr Figg, Cr Seif, Cr Smith, Cr Rowe and Cr Wright Against the Motion: Nil Attachments: 1⇩.
Item 5.11 resolution
Open original minutes ↗LPP 4.13 covered proposals involving caves and karstic features, including structure plans, subdivision applications and development applications, and stated conservation and geotechnical-risk objectives.
Detail A copy of the City's current LPP 4.13 is provided in Attachment 1. LPP 4.13 was approved by Council on 16 October 2018 with a minor review conducted in September 2022. The policy applies to planning proposals that affect or are affected by caves or karstic features. The LPPs outline the City's information requirements for investigation and management of caves and karstic features in the design, assessment and determination of structure plans, subdivision applications, and development applications. The objectives of the policy are to conserve caves and significant karstic features for their geological, cultural and environmental values, and to minimise risk to people and property in karstic hazard areas. The latter objective is concerned with geo-technical engineering risk associated with any development or construction. Administration's initial review of LPP 4.13 concluded that it remained fit-for-purpose, except for a requirement to update the current format to the new policy format.
Item 5.11 detail
Open original minutes ↗Administration said the policy was no longer required because its provisions were sufficiently covered by the WAPC Model Subdivision Conditions Schedule 2025, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
Despite this initial finding, Administration's further review has found that having regard to its original purpose and intent, the policy is no longer required as its provisions are sufficiently covered by the both the Western Australian Planning Commission's (WAPC) Model Subdivision Conditions Schedule (2025), the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (WA) and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA).
Item 5.11 detail
Open original minutes ↗Administration reported no evidence that LPP 4.13 had been actively recommended to developers or that the City received specific reports arising from it.
CITY OF WANNEROO MINUTES OF POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING 02 NOVEMBER, 2026 303 Comment Administration's review found no evidence that LPP 4.13 has been actively recommended to developers and proponents, or that the City receives specific reports arising from LPP 4.13.
Item 5.11 comment
Open original minutes ↗State legislation and statutory guidelines provided requirements for geotechnical investigations and subterranean biodiversity protection, and WAPC conditions required pre-work geotechnical investigations, certification and environmental management plans.
Additionally, the requirements for developers to undertake geotechnical investigations and make provisions for the protection of any subterranean biodiversity (i.e. cave ecosystems and existence of stygofauna, etc) that might exist and be impacted by development, are provided for under state legislation and statutory guidelines. The WAPC's Model Subdivision Conditions Schedule, Part 4 D5, specifically require pre- work geotechnical investigations and certification. Part 6, EN1 to EN8, requires the preparation of appropriate 'management plans' to protect a wide range of environmental values, with cross referencing to the relevant state level legislation, including the Biodiversity Conservation Act and Environmental Protection Act.
Item 5.11 comment — state requirements and WAPC conditions
Open original minutes ↗An advice note was proposed for inclusion in City decisions through the City's approval procedures, highlighting relevant state legislation and guidelines concerning caves and karstic matters.
For these reasons, it is considered appropriate to revoke the existing LPP 4.13. In order to ensure that developers and landowners are aware of the need to address caves and karstic matters an Advice Note within the City's approvals procedures will be included in City decisions highlighting the relevant state legislation and guidelines as outlined above.
Item 5.11 comment — advice note
Open original minutes ↗The minutes are marked unconfirmed and identify the meeting as held on 2 November 2026.
Unconfirmed Minutes Policy Review Committee Meeting Minutes 6:00PM, Monday 02 November, 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 02 NOVEMBER, 2026 CONTENTS ITEM 1 ATTENDANCES 1 ITEM 2 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE 1 ITEM 3 PUBLIC QUESTIONS 1 ITEM 4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 2 4.1 MINUTES OF POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 31 AUGUST 2026 2 ITEM 5 REPORTS 2 MINOR REVIEWS 2 5.1 LOCAL PLANNING POLICY 3.3: FAUNA MANAGEMENT 2 5.2 LOCAL PLANNING POLICY 4.19: MEDIUM DENSITY HOUSING STANDARDS 16 5.3 LOCAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Minutes title
Open original minutes ↗The resolution directs publication of a website revocation notice but does not specify a publication date or an effective date for revocation.
Pursuant to clause 6 of the deemed provisions of District Planning Scheme No. 2, REVOKES Local Planning Policy 4.13: Caves and Karstic Features; and 2. PUBLISHES notice of revocation of Local Planning Policy No. 4.13: Caves and Karstic Features on the City's website in accordance with clause 87 of the deemed provisions. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY **8/0 For the Motion: Mayor Aitken, Cr Bedworth, Cr Berry, Cr Figg, Cr Seif, Cr Smith, Cr Rowe and Cr Wright Against the Motion: Nil Attachments: 1⇩.
Item 5.11 resolution — publication direction
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the City of Wanneroo’s unconfirmed Policy Review Committee minutes for the meeting held on 2 November 2026, accessed 9 November 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Unconfirmed minutes record the Policy Review Committee’s decision to revoke Local Planning Policy 4.13: Caves and Karstic Features.
- The committee directed the City to publish a revocation notice on its website under clause 87 of the deemed provisions.
- The policy had covered structure plans, subdivision applications and development applications affecting caves or karstic features.
- Administration said relevant requirements were covered by the WAPC Model Subdivision Conditions Schedule 2025 and state environmental legislation.
- The resolution was recorded as carried unanimously, 8-0.
- The minutes are labelled unconfirmed and the supplied passages do not give a publication date for the revocation notice.
Why it matters
- The standalone local policy is being removed, but Administration says relevant planning, environmental and geotechnical requirements are covered by state legislation and statutory guidelines. The supplied record does not establish when the required notice will be published or when the revocation takes effect.