Navigating R-codes in Western Australia

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Our WA members and guests came together for a face to face event in late April to discuss all things (R-Codes). For our national and international readers, R-Codes is a State Planning Policy that sets out the basis of design and assessment for single houses, grouped dwellings, and multiple dwellings (in areas coded less than R40) in Western Australia.

Donna Shaw presented the bulk of the information on the day, Donna is the Manager of Development & Place at the Town of Bassendean, was a councillor at the City of Armadale for 12 years and is the West Australian Local Government Association trainer for land use and planning courses.

Her knowledge and passion for planning shone through her presentation and members were able to engage in great discussion. Donna’s key presentation points were to address the relevant legislation, policies and schemes involving the R-Codes, as well as the reforms and exemptions. Our members were able to discuss frustrations and solutions when lodging planning applications to local council and they learned great tips to include in their submissions.

The R-codes were reviewed and opened for comment in July 2020 as part of the State’s economic recovery in response to Covid-19. It provided for a wide range of exemptions for smaller residential projects and resulted in changes to open space, setbacks, wall heights and visual privacy. The amendments to the regulations came into effect 1 July 2021, giving power to a range of exemptions. The most notable changes discussed were: The hottest topic of the day was the change to landscaping and the introduction of tree planting requirements. Members discussed the importance of landscaping not only to a single development but to the street and suburb and the difficult job local council has in regulating and checking what was on the plans, has really taken place on site. The table below shows the new requirements:

In keeping with the landscaping theme, we were also fortunate to have Melanie Bradley, a highly experienced urban designer, urban planner and landscape architect with a keen interest in using form based codes in order to ensure good design outcomes for a diverse range of housing.

Melanie has participated in all aspects of urban development in both the US and Australia and offered to share her experience designing a test case for the Cottesloe Village Precinct.

Melanie shared that the conceptual built form outcomes can guide building heights that reflect the desired character of the streets they front. By using the R-AC codes, the land use of the building takes a back seat to the form the building takes. With development controls such as generous 4m+ ground levels and 3.5m for level 1, adaptable built form can be created. What’s On 03

Landscaping of single houses, grouped dwellings and multiple dwellings to include the following: i. the minimum number of trees and associated planting areas in the table below; and ii. landscaping of the street setback area, with not more than 50 per cent of this area to Consist of impervious surfaces.

Dwelling type Minimum tree requirement Minimum tree planting area

Single houses and grouped dwellings (tree per dwelling) 1 tree

Multiple dwellings (trees per site) Less than 700m2 2 trees

700-1000m2 3 trees

Greater than 1000m2 4 trees 2m x 2m

Primary Street Setbacks - Setbacks now up to half the primary street setback for minor incursions - previously up to 1m subject to compensating area and no more than 20% encroachment. Lot Boundary Setbacks - Nil setbacks for patios, verandahs and equivalent structures where criteria is met. Boundary Wall Setback - Nil walls to two side boundaries for R30+; averaging removed; abutting boundary walls. Building Heights - Simpler calculation for different types of roofs. Slight increase in height. Garage Widths - Simplified assessment. Can be up to 60% of frontage if upper floor balcony is more than half the garage width. Street Walls & Fences - Pier and panel fencing now deemed-to-comply; clarification on visual permeable areas. Retaining Walls - Simplified calculation for retaining wall setbacks. Ancillary Dwellings - Inclusion of appearance requirements. Dwellings on 350m² of land. Outbuildings - Deemed to comply pathway for small outbuildings. Ensuring the architectural design principles are used, the built form can reflect the existing character and ensure Cottesloe Village is enhanced by new buildings.

The event concluded with a light lunch catered by Growers Lane and a chance for our members to catch up and compare notes.

If you were unable to attend the event and would like to view the recording of the session, search for Navigating R-Codes in the DMN store on the website.